This project will explore the impact of the economic recession on cities and households through a systematic comparison of the experiences of two English cities, Bristol and Liverpool.The research will use both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Interviews will be held in both cities with stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary and community sectors. A social survey of 1000 households will also be conducted in the two cities covering 10 specific household types. A series of in-depth qualitative interviews will then be held with households drawn from the survey and chosen to illustrate the spectrum of experience.In the context of globalisation and the rescaling of cities and states, the research aims to develop our understanding of the relationship between economic crisis, global connectivity and the transnational processes shaping cities and the everyday lives of residents. It will explore the 'capillary-like' impact of the crisis and austerity measures on local economic development, and local labour and housing markets, as well as highlight the intersecting realities of everyday life for households across the life course.The research will document the responses and coping strategies developed across different household types and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of 'anti-recession' strategies and policies.
The research draws on a mixed methods approach, using sequentially staged methods in a ‘nested relationship’across the three stages of data collection and analysis. Stage 1: Literature search; Review of existing data on recent social, economic and labour market trends for Bristol and Liverpool; 21 qualitative interviews and one focus group with relevant local government departments, partnerships, business organisations, trade unions, and voluntary and community sector organisations. Interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed around an agreed framework. Stage 2: The Stage 2 household sample was drawn geographically - in Bristol within the local authorities of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire and in Liverpool from Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley. Geodemographic segmentation was used to identify and target a range of households that were comparable across locations, via the ACORN index. Ten of the seventeen ACORN household types were selected and the sample was drawn by pre-selecting addresses in the specified areas. The survey captured a broad picture of the impact of the downturn from the households’ perspectives. Stage 1 work informed the design. Between September and December 2011, Ipsos MORI piloted and conducted 1013, 20 minute, face-to-face interviews using CAPI and a structured interview schedule, supported by a range of showcards. They provided results, unweighted, in pre-coded format, with cross-breaks. Further analysis was undertaken by the research team using SPSS and GIS mapping. The four open ended questions were coded thematically. Responses were then analysed by city, gender and ACORN type. 722 households agreed to be re-contacted for Stage 3: 371 in Bristol; and 351 in Liverpool. Stage 3: Qalitative interviews provided in-depth data on the impact of the downturn and how households adapted and coped, highlighting the macro ‘through the lens of the micro’. The headline survey findings informed the sampling and design, with cases selected purposively to demonstrate a spectrum of experiences and coping strategies. The aim was to identify ‘information-rich’ cases that are relevant to the specific purposes of the research. The original timetable was for these interviews to commence in June 2012, but we delayed this to avoid the summer period, with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A total of 58 interviews of up to 1.5 hours were conducted mostly in participants’ homes between September and December 2012. Each participant was given information about the interview prior to giving their consent, which was recorded on a signed form. Participants were offered a £15 voucher at the end of the interview. Interviews were recorded and transcribed.
