3.4 Community, population and households

3.4.1

Plain English Version

The number of people who live in Birmingham city centre is actually quite small. In 2001, it was about 23,000; since then there have been several housing developments which have raised it to around 30,000. Although the centre’s population is the size of a small town, it is tiny compared to the whole of Birmingham. The number of people living in the 800 hectares of the city centre is quite low and there is room for more.

Original Document

The residential population of Birmingham city centre is actually quite small. In 2001 it was about 23,000; since that date there have been several residential developments which have raised it to around 30,000. Although the centre’s population is the size of a small town, it is tiny compared with that of the city as a whole. Population density over the 800 hectares of the centre is relatively low and there is still great potential for residential growth in the centre.

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3.4.2

Plain English Version

The Core Strategy suggests three options for the growth of Birmingham as a whole. All three of these options involve a big increase in population. All need a lot of growth in the city centre. Having a lot of housing in the city centre needs a new and fresh look at planning proposals and policies.

Original Document

The emerging Core Strategy proposes three options for the growth of Birmingham as a whole. All three of these options involve a significant increase in population. All will require substantial growth in the city centre. Accommodating significant numbers of new dwellings throughout the city centre will require a new and fresh look at planning proposals and policies.

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3.4.3

Plain English Version

The need for more housing can bring a lot of benefits to the city centre. Birmingham’s younger-than-average population and its ethnic mix are assets for the city. But outside the core shopping and office areas and outside working hours, much of the city centre is not lively partly because of a lack of people living there to support local activities and also because the way the land is used does not attract people there in the evenings. In the evenings, much of the city centre, including most of the main shopping areas are quite deserted. If the Big City Plan is to make the wider centre more interesting  and lively, it must raise the city centre’s population and use the land in a wider variety of ways.

Original Document

The requirement for more housing can bring substantial benefits to the city centre. Birmingham’s younger than average population and its ethnic mix are assets for the city. But outside the core shopping and office areas and outside working hours, much of the city centre lacks vibrancy owing partly to an absence of city centre residents to support local activities combined with an pattern of land use which does not attract people in the evenings. In the evenings, much of the centre, including most of the main shopping areas, are all but deserted. If the Big City Plan is to improve the interest and vibrancy of the wider centre it must bring about an increase in the city centre’s population and a more diverse pattern of land use.

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3.4.4

Plain English Version

The city centre includes several areas of distinct character which used to be mainly industrial, such as the Gun Quarter, Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth. One of the clear trends from the economic analysis (see above) is less manufacturing and lots of empty and under-used buildings in these areas as a result. Some of the nicer buildings have been converted into housing and there has also been some new housing built. However, there is still a lot of empty and under-used floor space and some empty sites and these could be a good opportunity for more housing very close to the city core.

Original Document

The city centre comprises several areas of distinct character which were formerly largely industrial, such as the Gun Quarter, Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth. One of the clear trends from the economic analysis (see above) is the reducing level of manufacturing and the resultant stock of vacant and underused buildings within these quarters. Some of the more attractive building stock has been converted to residential use and there has also been some residential development. However, there is still a lot of vacant and under-used floor-space and some vacant sites and these could present a major opportunity for residential growth on brownfield land within a stone’s throw of the city core.

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3.4.5

Plain English Version

One of the main challenges when wanting to raise the city centre’s population is the need to have a good mix of housing in the city centre, including a range of good family housing with supporting facilities. At the moment, the centre does not have a good range of quality housing and related facilities.

Original Document

One of the main challenges in seeking to increase the city centre’s population is the need to create a satisfactory mix of housing in the city centre, including a range of good family housing with associated social infrastructure. The centre currently does not have a balanced, good quality stock of housing and related residential facilities:

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3.4.6

Plain English Version

The residential areas of Ladywood, Highgate and part of the Gun Quarter mainly have 20th Century social housing (such as council housing and that managed by housing associations) and layouts with not many people per area and have an inward-looking, self contained feel that does not relate to the city’s core. As a general rule, their outsides and public spaces are not nice, the buildings are not ageing well, their layouts do not follow good town design rules and they do not house a wide range of people. These areas are likely to need rebuilding or improving.

Original Document

The residential areas of Ladywood, Highgate and part of the Gun Quarter are dominated by 20th Century social housing stock and layouts at relatively low densities and have an inward-looking, self-contained feel that does not relate to the city’s core. As a general rule, their public realm and public spaces are not attractive, their housing stock is not ageing well, their layouts do not follow good urban design principles and they do not house a broad social mix. These areas are likely to require renewal or improvement.

1 comment


3.4.7

Plain English Version

The new Park Central housing area with its town size, nice park (Sunset Park) and it’s range of housing is a much more successful housing area, although its design is not very individual. We might need more flexible approaches to design, size, the balance between public and private space and a range of ways that people can buy and rent their homes in the city centre to make mixed city centre communities that can attract a wide range of people.

Original Document

The new Park Central residential quarter with its urban scale, attractive park (Sunset Park) and its range of accommodation is a much more successful residential environment although its design displays a functionality of appearance that does not speak of diversity or individuality. More flexible approaches to design, scale, public/private space and tenure may need to be developed in the city centre to create mixed city centre communities that are capable of attracting a broad range of people.

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3.4.8

Plain English Version

The city centre has a growing number of apartment developments of studios, one and two bedroom homes. These are important and help make the city more lively. However, the centre cannot rely on apartments to deliver all of its housing needs because they do not give enough variety of housing.

Original Document

The city centre has a growing number of apartment developments of studios, one and two bedroom homes. These are an important part of the housing stock and help to contribute to the vibrancy of the centre. However, the centre cannot rely on apartment developments for delivering all its housing requirements because they do not provide a broad enough range of accommodation.

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3.4.9

Plain English Version

Birmingham’s young and varied population is one of the things its known for and we can use this to help the city centre be different. A city centre for young people should be family-friendly; its open spaces should be safe in the day and the evening; its culture should include activities for children of all ages. At the moment there is not enough to attract families. The main city centre housing areas do not have a good enough range of housing, schools, shops or local facilities; and ugly and empty industrial buildings, poor public areas and feelings of insecurity are also problems. By creating a special family city centre environment, Birmingham can set itself apart from other cities and get much higher in the charts of places where people most want to live.

Original Document

A young and diverse population is one of Birmingham’s defining characteristics and one that can be used to enhance the centre’s distinctiveness. A city centre for young people should be family-friendly; its open spaces should be safe during the day and into the evening; its cultural offering should include activities for children from toddlers to teenagers. At present there is not enough to attract families. The main city centre residential areas do not offer a good enough range of dwellings, schools, shops or local facilities, whilst the presence of unattractive and vacant industrial premises, a poor public realm and perceptions of insecurity are additional factors. The creation of an outstanding family city centre environment is an important way for Birmingham to distinguish itself among the core group of cities and to raise itself far above its current position on measurements of liveability.

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3.4.10

Plain English Version

As part of this process we will look at how Birmingham homes should be designed in the future. We need to make sure that future homes can meet peoples changing needs as their family grows up and also make sure that these homes last a long time. The Big City Plan will contain ideas for an area of very high quality environmentally smart homes that we can adapt to a wide range of people.

Original Document

Part of this process will be to look at how Birmingham homes should be designed in the future. We need to ensure that future homes are able to meet people’s changing demands throughout the lifecycle of the family and also embody the principles of sustainable development. The Big City Plan will contain proposals for an exhibition-quality development of environmentally smart homes adaptable to a diverse range of occupiers.

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3.4.11

Plain English Version

How can Birmingham raise the quality of housing development within the city centre? How many new homes should we leave room for? What type of homes should they be? Where should they be? How can we encourage family living?

Original Document

Several questions arise as to how Birmingham can raise the quality of residential development within the city centre, how many new dwellings should be allowed for and of what type, where these should be, and how family living can be encouraged.

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Question COM1

Plain English Version

How much extra housing should we have in the city centre and where should it go?

Original Document

How much extra housing should be located in the city centre and where should it go?

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Question COM2

Plain English Version

How much and what types of housing should we have alongside the small businesses and creative industries in districts such as the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth and the Gun Quarter?

Original Document

How far and in what ways can we accommodate more housing within mixed use quarters and traditional industrial quarters like the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth and the Gun Quarter whilst retaining small businesses and creative industries in those areas?

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Question COM3

Plain English Version

What do we need to do to encourage a wider range of people to live in the city centre? What are the important things for creating family-friendly surroundings? What type of homes and housing do we need?

Original Document

What needs to be done to encourage a wider range of people to live in the city centre? What are the essentials for creating a family-friendly environment? What type of homes and residential environment are needed?

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Question COM4

Plain English Version

How can new design help make housing better to help more people live in the city centre and raise their families?

Original Document

What innovative design approaches to homes and the home environment could be developed to enable more people to live in the city centre and stay and grow their families?

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Question COM5

Plain English Version

How many people do we need to support local shops and facilities?

Original Document

What living densities and populations are required to support local shops and facilities in the wider centre?

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Question COM6

Plain English Version

How could we improve the housing areas that we have at the moment in Highgate, Ladywood and the Gun Quarter?

Original Document

How might we improve the existing city centre residential areas in Highgate, Ladywood and the Gun Quarter?

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