The debate about how Bath and the West of England will develop over the next 40 years is kick-started this afternoon with the launch of a book looking at the region in the year 2050.
Called High in Hope, the book presents the main ideas generated through the Bristol 2050 project which over the past two years has analysed the key elements that will influence and shape the area by the middle of the century.
Business West, and its executive chairman John Savage, have led the ambitious project, taking their inspiration from a book published in 1909 which outlined a 100-year vision for Chicago.
Mr Savage has denied the vision calls for Bath and Bristol to merge into one conurbation and insists that the two cities can prosper together – along with the rest of the West of England – while retaining their unique and separate characters.
The area’s business community has been closely involved in the innovative project, the first of its kind in Europe and which aims to create a business vision that sets Bristol and the West apart from other cities and areas.
Business West said in developing the vision, the business community is making a statement to both local and national government about the importance of the area and the desire for change, strong leadership and ambition.
This project identified that by 2050 the area’s population will have massively increased, perhaps by as much as 500,000, meaning 300,000 jobs will need to be created and a further 200,000 homes built.
A Business West spokesman said: “The primary purpose of the project is to start a debate, raise aspirations and illustrate the benefits of long term strategic thinking.
“For the vision to be a success there needs to be an ongoing debate and a continual refresh of new ideas.”
Mr Savage is presenting the main findings from the book this afternoon in front of an audience which includes business groups such as the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce and Bristol Junior Chamber of Commerce, as well as a variety of SMEs and larger businesses in the sub-region.
