West Midlands
Advantage West Midlands represent the West Midlands region, which incorporates the counties of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and the metropolitan boroughs of Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Walsall, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Sandwell. Ranging from large urban cities to historic market towns and rural countryside, the West Midlands offers varied locations, rich cultural heritage and an ethnically diverse population.
The West Midlands has some of the most sparsely populated rural areas in the country, making up 85 per cent of the region, with 20 per cent of our population living there.
Most people residing within the more accessible rural parts of the region have strong links with the main conurbations. There is a complex flow of commuters, migration, tourists, goods and services in these areas, and in the nearby expanding market towns and villages.
Although the general picture of the rural West Midlands is one of high quality environment and low unemployment, this hides some more complex issues and difficulties. Some rural areas are dependent on declining sectors and some market towns are reliant on one or two large employers. Additionally, one in five people in rural areas lives in financial poverty and the population is ageing. Advantage West Midlands seeks to achieve sustainable development in the rural West Midlands, by improving access to opportunity and the number and quality of jobs available within sustainable rural communities.
Advantage West Midlands have expertise in responding to economic shock, having managed the responses to the closure of the MG Rover plant at Longbridge, and dealing with natural catastrophes such as foot and mouth disease and flooding; all of which have affected the West Midlands region dramatically.
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Photo: Ian Baker |
We feel that by participating in the PURPLE network Advtange West Midlands can share their experiences and knowledge, whilst learning how other Agencies deal with similar issues across Europe. In the future, one of our key focuses for peri-urban environments will be assisting to combat climate change, for example, through the maintance of agricultural land, and the promotion of locally sourced food over imported goods.
General data:
| Country: |
England |
| Total area: |
1.300.400 |
| Population: |
5.300.000 |
| Density: |
408 hab/km2 |
| Agriculture land use: |
85 % |
| Arable land: |
41 % |
| Main economic activities: |
Manufacturing, Agri-food and Transport technology |
| main agricultural products: |
Horticulture, Dairy |
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Last updated: 26 Feb 2008