This UK City Wants to Win with the Sharing Economy

Could a collaborative approach to urban living put Norwich on the global map?

Norwich’s 900-year-old castle overlooks the city. Photo: Visit Norwich

You’ve probably never heard of Norwich. Located on the United Kingdom’s picturesque east coast, this small urban center held the title of England’s second city until the Industrial Revolution. Today, however, it’s home to just 200,000 people, and almost nobody outside Britain can point to it on a map. But that may not be the case for long.

According to the 2017 State of the Nation report, Norwich ranks among the country’s worst areas for social mobility. Meanwhile, reeling from Brexit uncertainty, the UK’s economy recently posted its worst quarterly GDP figures in five years. In the face of economic stagnation and poor local conditions, a group in Norwich has decided to take action in pursuit of a future based on hope, solutions, and global connections. At the beginning of 2018, city residents and local organizations came together and began campaigning for Norwich to be recognized as the UK’s leading city for sharing.

Norwich hopes to be recognized as the UK’s leading sharing city. Photo: Norwich BID

The Norwich Sharing City collective brings together municipal authorities, voluntary…