Mapping wealth, ownership and place in York
Join us for a series of interactive events at this year's York Festival of Ideas, supported by JRF.
From Rowntree’s historic maps of poverty to today’s ‘York model’ of community wealth, how does our city truly prosper? How can we make sure money spent in York actually stays in York? In partnership with the York Festival of Ideas, we explore how our city can nurture a grassroots movement of community-driven change.
Free tickets will be available from Friday 1 May at yorkfestivalofideas.com.
Our events
Rowntree revisited: 125 years on
11am–12.30pm
125 years on from Seebohm Rowntree’s landmark study of poverty in York, this talk will address a new question coming into focus: how do we study wealth in the city today — and what might it reveal?
In revisiting Rowntree's study, the Panel will discuss new research to explore wealth — looking at who owns land, housing and assets, and how that shapes everyday life. Poverty remains a pressing concern, but it cannot be understood — or addressed — without also examining wealth. As ownership becomes more concentrated and often disconnected from place, join us for a conversation about what we can learn from studying wealth — and how it might reshape how we understand inequality in York today.
The York Model: Building a Hub for Community Wealth
1–2.30pm
This talk will ask: could York become a leading example of community wealth building?
What if the money spent in York actually stayed in York? This session brings together members of the Community Wealth Building Mayoral Commission, first convened in late 2024 to explore how our region can build a more resilient and inclusive economy. You will hear directly from the Commission about their ongoing work to support local assets and social enterprises, and how their findings are already helping to grow and develop a wider ecosystem of community-led projects across the city. From securing the future of local spaces to fostering new partnerships between businesses and residents, the panel will discuss how these collective efforts are shaping a unique "York model" for long-term prosperity.
Who is this event for?
These are open, accessible events for everyone:
- York residents
- change-makers
- community builders
- service providers
- asset owners
- wealth stewards
- civic bodies
- city-wide stakeholders.