The Future of the North East Region
Professor Ray Hudson, from Durham University, has explored the transformation of the North East region in his new book, The Political Economy of Uneven and Combined Development: The Case of North East England.
The region has undergone significant changes, shifting from a core "workshop of the world" to a deindustrialised periphery over the last century. This transformation has been driven by the restructuring and transformation of the economy.
- The North East region was once home to innovative firms.
- It then became dominated by assembly line factories.
- Today, it is a destination for call centres and Amazon distribution centres.
The changing relationship of the North East to the wider global economy has been marked by significant shifts in industry and population.
New industries have emerged, and with them, new settlements have developed to provide housing for workers, many of whom are migrants from other parts of the UK. The region has seen an increase in flows of people and materials between industries and places.
Author's summary: The North East region's transformation is explored in Professor Hudson's new book.