Ipswich is one of the towns featured in the recent State of the Cities report – and is set to become one of the strong economic drivers of the UK in the future. Regional Cities East (RCE), comprising Peterborough, Luton, Ipswich, Norwich, Colchester and Southend, are ambitious, and have an externally-focused agenda. This entails a keen desire to play a leading role in the area, in order to support the region's economy and raise its profile. They also want to play an active role in the delivery of the city region metropole model, and work in partnership, with their sub-regional partners and as a collective. These cities believe that by working together, rather than in competition, it is possible to support more jobs and homes in a sustainable way. RCE has some extremely challenging targets to achieve by 2021. Together the cities aim to: l add £10bn to the UK economy l create 140,000 new jobs l be recognised across Europe as a centre for innovation and creativity l build 160,000 new homes – with 80- 90% of them on brownfield land l deliver a 3% reduction in carbon emis- sions for the whole of the UK This city-focused approach will not only benefit the six cities currently involved, but the region as a whole. The east of England can now have a voice on key urban issues, making sure the region is not left behind as the rest of the country debates the role of city regions. David Miliband, at a regional conference on cities in Ipswich, said ‘urban areas must lead their city regions'. Working together has also been of great benefit in sharing experience, good practice and concerns, with advantages for both political leaders and chief executives. RCE is represented on of a number of exciting, similar ‘groupings' of growth cities, for example, South East Diamond, Portsmouth and Southampton (PUSH). It is this ‘new' breed of cities which is recognised as the growth engines which, together with the core cities, are driving the UK economy forward. James Hehir is chief executive of Ipswich BC
