The York 2032 Vision challenges us to go for growth with innovation, culture and heritage at our heart – to shape a city that is vibrant, prosperous, welcoming and sustainable.

York’s Growth Ambitions demonstrates how York is preparing for that future. By investing in the right conditions between now and by 2032, York will benefit from long-term, inclusive and sustainable prosperity. York’s Growth Ambitions reflects our shared priorities as a city: driving innovation and enterprise, unlocking infrastructure, and ensuring that more residents and communities benefit from the opportunities York and the region create.  

York’s Growth Ambitions is a prospectus providing a practical framework for delivery, shaped by local priorities and designed to support long-term opportunity, resilience and equality. The prospectus is a portfolio of deliverable programmes and projects that collectively will bring more higher paid jobs, more affordable homes and deliver a more sustainable and accessible transport network to York.

It reflects the ambition at the heart of our 2032 vision: to be a vibrant, prosperous, welcoming and sustainable city, where everyone can share and take pride in its success, combined with the values the city shares – a city that pioneers with purpose, makes history every day and priorities people.

It responds directly to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (YNYCA) Local Growth Plan and the Mayor’s vision to build healthy and thriving communities through investment in support services, more sustainable and affordable transport, high-quality and energy-efficient housing, and better access to green spaces.

York’s Growth Ambitions also supports several national government missions: helping to kickstart economic growth through innovation and infrastructure; contributing to the clean energy transition through sustainable development and retrofitting; and breaking down barriers to opportunity by improving access to education, training, and employment.

The projects outlined in the prospectus builds on our strategic direction – linking land, investment, skills, partners and communities to deliver social outcomes that all York residents can benefit from.

What this will mean for the people of York

The projects in this document are designed not only to drive economic success, but to deliver for the people who live in all our communities, so that anyone anywhere in the city can look at the opportunities and see something for them. Our vision for York’s future means cohesive communities, benefitting from heritage and culture, with economic opportunities, are better connected through improved accessible and sustainable transport infrastructure.

Guided by our four core commitments – equalities and human rights, affordability, climate, and health – we are outcome-focused, ensuring that growth translates into real benefits for people’s everyday lives: from access to quality jobs and skills development, to affordable, energy-efficient homes, and thriving neighbourhoods. We will celebrate success, learn from challenges and continually improve, ensuring York’s future is not only more prosperous, but fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable for all.

The economic and social value for each project will follow

Working together to create a shared vision for York’s future

York’s Growth Ambitions have been shaped through active engagement with stakeholders in the city. The projects outlined in the document are the city’s collective ambitions – some are led by City of York Council whilst others have been developed by some of the key institutions in the city.

The ambitions have been reviewed by elected representatives via the Council’s scrutiny processes.

A continual journey

The projects identified in this document are the ambitions of the city as of autumn 2025. As projects are completed, they will no longer be ambitions but our reality. New opportunities and challenges will emerge and will lead to the formulation of new ambitions for the city. This document will be regularly reviewed to ensure it reflects new realities.

Turning Vision into Action 

York’s Growth Ambitions is the next step in our journey – turning shared long-term goals into coordinated action and investible opportunities. It builds on the city’s adopted strategies, including the York 2032 Vision and 10 Year City Plan, the 2022-2032 Economic Strategy, Climate Strategy, and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. These provide the foundation for a joined-up sustainable approach to growth – one that links place-making, economic inclusion, sustainability, and community health and wellbeing.

By aligning York’s Growth Ambitions projects with these strategies, we are not just describing the future we want – we are building the foundations to deliver on that ambition.  

A Modern City with Deep Roots and Real Strengths  

York is a compact, high-performing city of just over 200,000 people. Well connected by rail and road it can be reached from London in under two hours by train, just over an hour from Manchester, and two and a half hours from Edinburgh, placing it at the heart of the UK’s national transport network. York is also exceptionally well connected to regional centres, with Leeds, Hull, and Teesside all easily accessible, reinforcing the city’s role as a key economic and cultural hub for the North.

The formation of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority marks a new chapter in regional collaboration, positioning York as a driving force in shaping a more prosperous and connected North Yorkshire. Our universities, heritage, and culture are world-renowned and give York a unique foundation for innovation and enterprise, with sector strengths in biosciences, rail innovation, digital creativity, health innovation, culture, heritage and tourism, and a pipeline of the highest skilled workforce in the North.  

However, like many cities, we face challenges. Pressures on housing, the need for affordable and reliable transport, access to training and employment, and the shift to a low-carbon economy all require long-term investment and coordination.

In addition, significant inequalities persist within our city, with stark contrasts in life expectancy between the most and least affluent wards, highlighting the need for targeted action to ensure that all communities benefit from the city’s growth.

We are responding proactively, with a clear strategic delivery plan for the city’s future, York’s Growth Ambitions.  

A Values Led City

Our identity is shaped by more than our economy. As a UNESCO City of Media Arts, a Human Rights City, and a City of Sanctuary, York is a city that places people and community at the heart of its development.  

York Narrative captures the essence of York, and describes our city values as:

- Pioneering with purpose to improve people’s lives

- Making history every day to leave a lasting and sustainable legacy

- Prioritising people so everyone is recognised and valued

These values guide how we invest and are reflected in our approach to digital infrastructure, cultural investment, and the planning of inclusive economic and housing growth. Together, these values reflect our belief that every resident should have the opportunity to benefit from and help shape the city’s future.

We see culture as a driver of identity, well-being and economic value. Being a Human Rights City means embedding equality and access into how we invest in affordable housing, education, health and opportunity.  

Growing Responsibly

Our approach to growth is built around long-term value, not just short-term returns. That means designing projects that deliver wider societal benefits – including local employment and high paid jobs to balance our visitor economy, community wealth building, inclusive accessible design, and sustainable development.  

We are embedding social value into how we invest and deliver: through local procurement, targeted skills pathways, and partnerships that reach into communities who have not always benefited from the city’s success. We are working to make sure public investment leads to community benefit, not by accident, but by design. 

Momentum for the Future  

York has a strong reputation for delivery. We have already delivered major regeneration and infrastructure programmes, including the unlocking of York Central and the development of the Community Stadium, developing strong partnerships across academia, private, public and community sectors, and have shown we can deliver on ambitious plans.

York’s Growth Ambitions builds on that momentum – identifying the next projects that will help us meet the demands of the future, while protecting what makes York special.  

York’s Growth Ambitions is structured around three outcomes:  

1. Delivering Good Economic Growth – Investing in enterprise, innovation and the high-value sectors that define our economy supporting skills development and productivity gains;  

2. Facilitating Good Growth – Enabling good growth through investment in housing, infrastructure, planning and digital connectivity; 

3. Good Growth for All – Ensuring the benefits of growth are shared, with a focus on investment in health, skills, community, wealth and social outcomes.  

Together, they form a practical and ambitious plan to achieve the York 2032 vision that is both economically strong and socially inclusive.  

Our core commitments

Reflecting the Council Plan, and our four core commitments, we will translate strategy to delivery with a focus on:

Equalities / Affordability / Climate and the Environment / Health

In partnership

York has extensive, ongoing experience of collaboration that has helped to create the vibrant city that it is today.

We will build on this spirit to achieve the ambitions of this prospectus. Only by extensive, joined-up partnership working can we transform the city to meet the needs of the people that call it home.

This means working at a local, regional, national and international scale with partners new and old, creating a shared understanding, learning from each other, and co-designing the future.

Enabling our residents, our communities and our businesses to play a role in place-making so that York works for them and that we create opportunity in everything we do.

Developing a shared approach with the key institutions in the city, setting out a roadmap to success.

Maintaining a dialogue with funders, investors, government and others to get buy-in for York’s ambitions whilst ensuring there is a clear onus on societal benefit.

Delivering Good Economic Growth  

We believe sustainable and inclusive economic growth is driven by investment in culture, enterprise, and innovation. Our city is uniquely positioned to grow with deep cultural heritage and thriving creative sectors, complemented by high growth knowledge-based industries such as bioeconomy, digital and life sciences.

Through the development of flagship projects articulated in this prospectus, we will unlock opportunities that directly fuel inclusive economic growth. These initiatives will attract businesses and create the ecosystem necessary to nurture talent, foster creativity, and stimulate the local economy in high-growth sectors.

We are equally committed to leveraging York’s heritage to enrich our economy, as a trailblazer for new sustainable construction and conservation, together with pioneering digital curation of the city’s artefacts and nationally important collections.

York’s vibrant cultural scene plays a critical role in shaping the city’s identity and future. From world-class theatre and innovative visual arts to festivals, York’s diverse cultural offerings inspire both residents and visitors alike. Active participation in cultural activities contributes directly to the health and well-being of the community. For example, the BAFTA–qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival 2025, not only welcomes filmmakers, games developers and VR experts from around the world, but also engages local communities in creative expression. As a UNESCO City of Media Arts, this rich cultural landscape informs the way we grow in the future, ensuring that the arts remain central to shaping a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable city.

This approach directly supports government priorities to equalise economic opportunities, driving inclusive growth, and fostering innovation-led sectors such as biosciences and digital technology. By investing in cultural capital alongside cutting-edge industries, York exemplifies a holistic model for sustainable economic development that aligns with national strategies, including the UK Innovation Strategy, the Creative Industries Sector Deal, and the Industrial Strategy’s Clean Growth pillar.

Bio-Yorkshire Campus
£mm

To add: Economic and social value figures at a glance

Location: York-wide

Description: Deliver a series of connected sustainable transport schemes and place-making schemes that reduce the number of vehicle miles travelled by 20% across York, enabling more people to choose to use sustainable, accessible, and healthy travel alternatives. This includes infrastructure improvements for walking, cycling, and public transport to provide more sustainable options for travel.

Context: York faces increasing transport pressures with 200,000 residents (and growing), 25,000 daily commuters, and 9 million annual visitors. There are 450,000 vehicle trips daily, contributing to rising traffic and emissions, set to increase as a result of population growth in the Local Plan. By offering better sustainable transport options and developing more high-quality public realm, we will achieve climate goals, address public health concerns, boost the city’s economy and reduce car dependency.

Importance: The right transport infrastructure and balancing the needs of movement and place-making is key to improving air quality, reducing emissions, enhancing road safety, sustaining a thriving economy and making travel more inclusive and accessible for all. It is essential for York’s climate, economic and public health goals to keep York moving, despite a growing population.

What Are We Doing?

· Sustainable Travel Corridors: Upgrading infrastructure and reallocating road space to sustainable modes of travel along key corridors to support walking, cycling, and public transport.

· Accessibility Policies: Making all forms of mobility more accessible, such as increasing blue badge parking, installing accessible bus stop infrastructure, barrier-free foot and cycle paths, reduced wait times at pedestrian crossings, increased seating along walking routes and inclusive cycle parking.

· Walking, Wheeling & Cycling Improvements: Expanding priority walking, cycling routes, and better facilities like safer pedestrian and cycle crossings, plus a fully connected cycle network.

· Investing in Public Realm: Reallocating road space to create enhanced public realm, helping to increase footfall and dwell time in local shopping areas and creating healthy places for everyone.

· Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP): Developing a strategic map of walking and cycling routes across York to prioritise high-impact areas for improvement.

What This Will Lead To:

· 90% of the city’s car and van fleet to be electric or hybrid by 2040.

· Most daily journeys will be carbon-neutral, enhancing accessibility, health, and sustainability.

· 20% reduction in driven vehicle miles by 2030

· 50% increase in bus patronage by 2030

· 100% increase in active travel by 2030

How Does It Fit York’s Future?

· Connected to Opportunity: Better access to jobs and services without car dependency.

· Active Travel and Public Transport: Encourages healthier lifestyles and reduces carbon emissions.

· Sustainable Growth: Aligns with housing development and climate targets, creating a more sustainable city.

Alignment with Local Growth Plan:

This project aligns with the Local Growth Plan’s focus on strengthening the foundations of York and North Yorkshire’s economy by investing in transport infrastructure and public realm, which supports sustainable economic growth. It contributes to the spatial priorities by addressing place-based needs across York, enhancing connectivity and access. Additionally, improving transport supports wider goals around digital connectivity, housing, innovation, and skills development by making travel more accessible and inclusive, which in turn supports productivity and wellbeing in the local economy.

Current Position:

· LCWIP completed with major consultations from November 2023–February 2024.

Local Transport Strategy Schemes

· Reimaging York Streets (city centre)

· Sustainable travel corridor (Micklegate)

· Sustainable travel corridor (radial) (city centre)

· Sustainable travel neighbourhood

· Sustainable travel village

· Micromobility / car club contract

· Dial and Ride

· 20mph city/neighbourhoods

Location: York and the wider region

Description: Build community capacity for a circular food redistribution network, aiming to eliminate food waste, reduce emissions from transport, and support vulnerable communities.

Context: York and North Yorkshire are strong in food and farming, with companies like Nestle and McCain based in the region. However, food waste is a major issue, with 300,000 tonnes wasted annually in Yorkshire and Humber. The project aims to create a circular food economy, addressing both environmental and social challenges.

Importance: A circular food network can reduce food waste, support vulnerable communities, and lower emissions from long-distance food transport. It will strengthen the regional economy by keeping value within local food systems and building more resilient supply chains.

What Are We Doing?

Community Capacity Building: Empowering local communities to take charge of food redistribution and rescue efforts.

Circular Supply Chains: Developing closed-loop systems to reuse surplus food, by-products, and waste.

Local Value Chains: Reducing food miles by promoting local sourcing and shortening supply chains.

Anchor Institution Procurement: Encouraging public bodies and large businesses to purchase from local circular food networks.

Innovation in Surplus Use & Packaging: Exploring sustainable packaging and food processing methods, positioning the region as a leader in food waste solutions.

Future Readiness for Food Waste Collection: Preparing for the rollout of domestic kerbside food waste collection.

What This Will Lead To:

· Elimination of avoidable food waste.

· Stronger food security for vulnerable communities.

· Reduced carbon emissions from food transport and waste processing.

· More resilient local economies based on sustainable food systems.

How Does It Fit York’s Future?
This project supports a Healthy and Resilient York by strengthening local food systems, reducing waste, and contributing to environmental sustainability. It reinforces York’s leadership in food innovation and cooperative economic growth.

Alignment with Local Growth Plan: This project supports the Food and Farming growth sector and promotes sustainable local food systems, aligning with the Plan’s focus on maximising local assets and driving resilient, inclusive economic growth.

Current Position:

· The project is in early development, with initial work on community building and supply chain mapping.

· Some partnerships with local food businesses have been established.

Barriers:

· Funding: Investment is needed to launch and scale the redistribution network.

· Infrastructure Development: Support for community infrastructure and sustainable food technologies is required.

· Regulatory Challenges: Navigating food safety regulations and compliance will be a significant hurdle.