Rob Johnson
@rjson.bsky.social
Senior analyst, Centre for Cities. All things urban economics - mainly labour markets, living standards, transport, and innovation. Fan of working with data and visualising it.
Pinned
Rob Johnson
@rjson.bsky.social
· Nov 4
Big cities like Birmingham could get many more people well connected to its city centre by a 30 minute public transport journey.
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
But this doesn't involve expanding the network - no new trams or new bus routes.
This is simply from making the existing network function better: integration.
Thread 🧵
Is 'Glasgow Crossrail' in the room with us right now?
February 5, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Is 'Glasgow Crossrail' in the room with us right now?
Sydney's 1997 light rail system clearly a direct response to the true deserved winner of the millenium Olympic Games
February 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Sydney's 1997 light rail system clearly a direct response to the true deserved winner of the millenium Olympic Games
Going through a document on regional railways from 1992 - there is a world out there where the Leeds tram is older than me, and yet... 😢
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Going through a document on regional railways from 1992 - there is a world out there where the Leeds tram is older than me, and yet... 😢
Here's a nice little taster of the work in GIF form
Loved working on these maps with @mauricelange.bsky.social for his briefing out today, showing Croydon's Suburban Design Guide impact on small-site housing delivery.
The flythrough helps show how viability translates into action (in Croydon's case), and where else it could work in London.
The flythrough helps show how viability translates into action (in Croydon's case), and where else it could work in London.
February 5, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Here's a nice little taster of the work in GIF form
Our latest report looks at lessons for rules-based planning coming from an unlikely London Borough - check this thread by @mauricelange.bsky.social for all the details 👇
NEW REPORT out today. TLDR: Rules-based planning works and we can introduce it in British cities relatively easily.
A small thread on Croydon’s 3-year planning ‘experiment’ and what it means for urban planning…
A small thread on Croydon’s 3-year planning ‘experiment’ and what it means for urban planning…
February 5, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Our latest report looks at lessons for rules-based planning coming from an unlikely London Borough - check this thread by @mauricelange.bsky.social for all the details 👇
Talked to Times Higher Ed on the subject - the limitations of the current uni model but also the opportunities of different, more vocational-led options that seem to align with the policy trajectory of the current government: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/can-new...
Can new universities save left-behind towns and cities?
Fresh models of university outposts emerging in regions without access to higher education as financial crisis sees shuttering of traditional campuses
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Talked to Times Higher Ed on the subject - the limitations of the current uni model but also the opportunities of different, more vocational-led options that seem to align with the policy trajectory of the current government: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/can-new...
An illustration of the benefits university campuses can have in local economies, but the risks of the model too, as I discussed in my blog last year: www.centreforcities.org/blog/branchi...
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 AM
An illustration of the benefits university campuses can have in local economies, but the risks of the model too, as I discussed in my blog last year: www.centreforcities.org/blog/branchi...
Reposted by Rob Johnson
What does income deprivation look like within UK cities?
This #DataViz shows the distribution of neighbourhoods by income deprivation percentile in 2025.
While the average would paint a limited picture, the variation within cities reveals the true shape of inequality.
This #DataViz shows the distribution of neighbourhoods by income deprivation percentile in 2025.
While the average would paint a limited picture, the variation within cities reveals the true shape of inequality.
February 2, 2026 at 5:25 PM
What does income deprivation look like within UK cities?
This #DataViz shows the distribution of neighbourhoods by income deprivation percentile in 2025.
While the average would paint a limited picture, the variation within cities reveals the true shape of inequality.
This #DataViz shows the distribution of neighbourhoods by income deprivation percentile in 2025.
While the average would paint a limited picture, the variation within cities reveals the true shape of inequality.
Why integration matters - making existing transport networks function 'better' in our big cities would be equivalent to having two more Liverpools (with european levels of connectivity) in the national economy.
📢Integrating transport in England's biggest cities could mean 1.2m more people connected to cities.
Centre for Cities' Senior Analyst @rjson.bsky.social joined the Transport Committee to discuss how to achieve transport integration.
Watch in full 👇
buff.ly/r13Oami
Centre for Cities' Senior Analyst @rjson.bsky.social joined the Transport Committee to discuss how to achieve transport integration.
Watch in full 👇
buff.ly/r13Oami
January 29, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Why integration matters - making existing transport networks function 'better' in our big cities would be equivalent to having two more Liverpools (with european levels of connectivity) in the national economy.
What you produce in the local economy matters for what residents consume. Cities in the top right had faster growth in knowledge-based jobs, productivity, wages, and disposable incomes than the national average, tied to a growing economy. Bottom left cities were below average on all these indicators
January 28, 2026 at 3:35 PM
What you produce in the local economy matters for what residents consume. Cities in the top right had faster growth in knowledge-based jobs, productivity, wages, and disposable incomes than the national average, tied to a growing economy. Bottom left cities were below average on all these indicators
Want a fly through of what's happened to economic and living standards growth over a quarter of a century? And what this means for the government's mission to raise living standards everywhere?
Read the summary blog of @centreforcities.bsky.social Cities Outlook 2026 report below:
Read the summary blog of @centreforcities.bsky.social Cities Outlook 2026 report below:
January 27, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Want a fly through of what's happened to economic and living standards growth over a quarter of a century? And what this means for the government's mission to raise living standards everywhere?
Read the summary blog of @centreforcities.bsky.social Cities Outlook 2026 report below:
Read the summary blog of @centreforcities.bsky.social Cities Outlook 2026 report below:
Reposted by Rob Johnson
💡 This is an excellent profile of Warrington by @rjpartington.bsky.social. As @centreforcities.bsky.social says “it’s about taking tough decisions… expansion of business parks… taking chunks out of green belt to build homes”
Want to fix the high street? First grow the economy and disposable incomes!
Want to fix the high street? First grow the economy and disposable incomes!
‘A southern economy in the north’: how Warrington has adapted to change
Good transport links and the quietly booming nuclear sector are helping the Cheshire town to thrive
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:18 PM
💡 This is an excellent profile of Warrington by @rjpartington.bsky.social. As @centreforcities.bsky.social says “it’s about taking tough decisions… expansion of business parks… taking chunks out of green belt to build homes”
Want to fix the high street? First grow the economy and disposable incomes!
Want to fix the high street? First grow the economy and disposable incomes!
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Cities Outlook 2026 shows economic growth and living standards have been disconnected.
Even though growth has almost returned to pre-2008 rates in many places since 2013, disposable income growth has been stuck near 0%.
But some cities have bucked the trend -
Even though growth has almost returned to pre-2008 rates in many places since 2013, disposable income growth has been stuck near 0%.
But some cities have bucked the trend -
January 26, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Cities Outlook 2026 shows economic growth and living standards have been disconnected.
Even though growth has almost returned to pre-2008 rates in many places since 2013, disposable income growth has been stuck near 0%.
But some cities have bucked the trend -
Even though growth has almost returned to pre-2008 rates in many places since 2013, disposable income growth has been stuck near 0%.
But some cities have bucked the trend -
Thanks Ross, we had a lot of fun making this one!
January 26, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Thanks Ross, we had a lot of fun making this one!
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Very swish visual from @centreforcities.bsky.social showing the income distributions of different neighbourhoods within our big towns and cities
January 26, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Very swish visual from @centreforcities.bsky.social showing the income distributions of different neighbourhoods within our big towns and cities
Reposted by Rob Johnson
This one was close to home for me, literally. A feature trip to where I grew up:
Warrington is a model town, the @centreforcities.bsky.social says today.
If its economic performance was replicated nationwide, the avg UK urban resident would be £3,200 better off:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Warrington is a model town, the @centreforcities.bsky.social says today.
If its economic performance was replicated nationwide, the avg UK urban resident would be £3,200 better off:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘A southern economy in the north’: how Warrington has adapted to change
Good transport links and the quietly booming nuclear sector are helping the Cheshire town to thrive
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:24 AM
This one was close to home for me, literally. A feature trip to where I grew up:
Warrington is a model town, the @centreforcities.bsky.social says today.
If its economic performance was replicated nationwide, the avg UK urban resident would be £3,200 better off:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Warrington is a model town, the @centreforcities.bsky.social says today.
If its economic performance was replicated nationwide, the avg UK urban resident would be £3,200 better off:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Want to understand the economic picture across urban Britain?
Come see me and colleagues discuss how the government can raise living standards across the country at midday today, where I explain what's happening in this chart:
www.centreforcities.org/event/cities...
Come see me and colleagues discuss how the government can raise living standards across the country at midday today, where I explain what's happening in this chart:
www.centreforcities.org/event/cities...
January 26, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Want to understand the economic picture across urban Britain?
Come see me and colleagues discuss how the government can raise living standards across the country at midday today, where I explain what's happening in this chart:
www.centreforcities.org/event/cities...
Come see me and colleagues discuss how the government can raise living standards across the country at midday today, where I explain what's happening in this chart:
www.centreforcities.org/event/cities...
Among other things, it will involve me talking extensively about this city as one that has got the ingredients right for reconnecting economic growth to rising resident incomes.
Not one of the 'usual suspects'. To know for sure you'll have to join us on Monday 👀
Not one of the 'usual suspects'. To know for sure you'll have to join us on Monday 👀
January 23, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Among other things, it will involve me talking extensively about this city as one that has got the ingredients right for reconnecting economic growth to rising resident incomes.
Not one of the 'usual suspects'. To know for sure you'll have to join us on Monday 👀
Not one of the 'usual suspects'. To know for sure you'll have to join us on Monday 👀
Like these tasters, and looking for more insight on how the government can reconnect living standards to economic growth across urban Britain? Sign up to our Cities Outlook 2026 launch on Monday where we give our assessment on what needs to be done in all the juicy detail:
Cities Outlook 2026 - Online launch briefing - Centre for Cities
Join Centre for Cities for a briefing on Cities Outlook 2026, our annual health check of 63 UK cities.
www.centreforcities.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Like these tasters, and looking for more insight on how the government can reconnect living standards to economic growth across urban Britain? Sign up to our Cities Outlook 2026 launch on Monday where we give our assessment on what needs to be done in all the juicy detail:
Government should still keep this a priority even with an (understandable) political reframing around tackling immediate pressures with the focus on 'cost of living'. Because in the long run, if everyone is to have a bigger slice, the pie has to grow.
Why growth remains the only lasting answer to the cost of living - Centre for Cities
Andrew Carter on what's coming in Cities Outlook 2026 and why it matters more than ever.
www.centreforcities.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Government should still keep this a priority even with an (understandable) political reframing around tackling immediate pressures with the focus on 'cost of living'. Because in the long run, if everyone is to have a bigger slice, the pie has to grow.
Short thread: how does Government raise living standards across the country?
Lots of recent evidence shows that local initiatives are an important part of that.
What do these need? It basically boils down to funding and flexibility. In essence this means local devolution backed by economic growth
Lots of recent evidence shows that local initiatives are an important part of that.
What do these need? It basically boils down to funding and flexibility. In essence this means local devolution backed by economic growth
Local initiatives can improve trust, but only if local government has the freedom and resources to act — and if local economies are growing👇
buff.ly/4Zhi6SW
buff.ly/4Zhi6SW
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Short thread: how does Government raise living standards across the country?
Lots of recent evidence shows that local initiatives are an important part of that.
What do these need? It basically boils down to funding and flexibility. In essence this means local devolution backed by economic growth
Lots of recent evidence shows that local initiatives are an important part of that.
What do these need? It basically boils down to funding and flexibility. In essence this means local devolution backed by economic growth
Unironically a North West with 3 Warringtons would be great for local living standards 👀
January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Unironically a North West with 3 Warringtons would be great for local living standards 👀
Reposted by Rob Johnson
One of the fundamental issues for the Government is that their political strategy is deeply contradictory.
You cannot simultaneously be all in on growth whilst pursuing anti-growth policy in a number of key areas (eg immigration, higher education).
You cannot simultaneously be all in on growth whilst pursuing anti-growth policy in a number of key areas (eg immigration, higher education).
The immigration doom loop in full swing.
Chasing the xenophobes is a doomed strategy both economically *and* politically.
(1/3)
archive.ph/pyVLg
Chasing the xenophobes is a doomed strategy both economically *and* politically.
(1/3)
archive.ph/pyVLg
January 10, 2026 at 12:38 PM
One of the fundamental issues for the Government is that their political strategy is deeply contradictory.
You cannot simultaneously be all in on growth whilst pursuing anti-growth policy in a number of key areas (eg immigration, higher education).
You cannot simultaneously be all in on growth whilst pursuing anti-growth policy in a number of key areas (eg immigration, higher education).
ICYMI before Christmas:
Yellow trains. Blueprint. Green light?
My thoughts on Manchester's latest transport strategy and what it could mean for rail devolution in 2026.
Yellow trains. Blueprint. Green light?
My thoughts on Manchester's latest transport strategy and what it could mean for rail devolution in 2026.
The latest buzz on transport in Greater Manchester comes in the form of yellow trains 🐝
Our latest blog highlights what other metro mayors can learn from the Bee Network model and what more national policy and GBR need to do.
Read more 👇
buff.ly/MAQ6vwE
Our latest blog highlights what other metro mayors can learn from the Bee Network model and what more national policy and GBR need to do.
Read more 👇
buff.ly/MAQ6vwE
January 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
ICYMI before Christmas:
Yellow trains. Blueprint. Green light?
My thoughts on Manchester's latest transport strategy and what it could mean for rail devolution in 2026.
Yellow trains. Blueprint. Green light?
My thoughts on Manchester's latest transport strategy and what it could mean for rail devolution in 2026.
Mancunians can expect a big yellow christmas present - next year - in the form of Bee Network rail services.
GM's future transport vision strikes all the right notes, and could be a blueprint for other metro mayors - just requires GBR/DfT to be aligned to help realise it
GM's future transport vision strikes all the right notes, and could be a blueprint for other metro mayors - just requires GBR/DfT to be aligned to help realise it
December 22, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Mancunians can expect a big yellow christmas present - next year - in the form of Bee Network rail services.
GM's future transport vision strikes all the right notes, and could be a blueprint for other metro mayors - just requires GBR/DfT to be aligned to help realise it
GM's future transport vision strikes all the right notes, and could be a blueprint for other metro mayors - just requires GBR/DfT to be aligned to help realise it