Plain English Version
The city centre is big. These 800 hectares of land have already changed a great deal in recent years and more change is being planned or built. So we will need to approach delivering this from two directions: the opportunities that come with individual developments and the problem of having a big plan to bring these together.
Original Document
The context for delivering development and regeneration projects and new infrastructure will need to be considered from two perspectives: the individual opportunities and their overarching control and co-ordination. The 800 hectare land area is substantial, but changes will not take-place in a vacuum. The city centre has already undergone substantial change and new projects are being progressed; some are on-site, others at the planning and preparation stages.
Plain English Version
Changes to the city centre in the past 20 years have given Birmingham momentum and the confidence to meet new challenges. With this has come an ambition to look beyond it’s place in the UK economy and think of Birmingham competing as a European and a World city.
Original Document
The projects that have been completed over the past 20 years have created a significant momentum and confidence in the ability of the city to adapt and meet new challenges. The city has also evolved a desire to look beyond the immediate challenges and competition of the UK economy and other UK cities and embrace the opportunities of competing on both European and World stages.
Plain English Version
The Big City Plan will be ambitious and Birmingham City Council will play an important role leading how it is delivered. However, the Council wont be working alone. It will seek money and expertise from other government organisations including Advantage West Midlands and the new Homes and Communities Agency.
Original Document
The Big City Plan will set out an ambitious series of projects, infrastructure and opportunities for new investment. The City Council will have a significant role to play in leadership that will underpin the successful delivery of the objectives. However, it will also seek to secure financial and expert input from other government organisations including Advantage West Midlands and the new Homes and Communities Agency.
Plain English Version
The private sector will also play an important part.
Original Document
The private sector will also have a substantial role to play in the delivery of individual projects, combining development, financial and entrepreneurial skills.
Plain English Version
Delivering the plan needs to blend the strengths of the public and private sectors.
Original Document
The overall approach to delivery should blend the strengths of the public and private sectors to achieve the best solutions in terms of quality, style, mix, movement and sense of place.
Plain English Version
We need to a strong and clear basis for the plan but one which can also adapt to changing conditions. Projects will need to adjust to the changing property market, economic and financial conditions. As we deliver the plan lifestyles will change and new ways of building, styles and environmental standards could be introduced.
Original Document
A key element of the approach to delivering this complex Plan will be to not only create a robust and clear planning basis, but also to recognise the need for flexibility of decision-making throughout the delivery and implementation timescales. Such flexibility will be vital for projects to adapt and adjust to changing property market, economic and financial conditions. It will also be necessary to be able to accommodate changing trends and lifestyles over the delivery period and embrace the opportunity for new approaches, building forms and styles, construction and environmental standards etc to come to the fore.
Plain English Version
There will be various ways specific projects can be delivered and we will need to establish which is the right one for each job. We will also need to carefully manage the timing of projects so the city keeps on working smoothly.
Original Document
Individual development and infrastructure projects will have the potential to be delivered in a number of different ways. The delivery structure that is best suited to each individual opportunity will need to be established and agreed. The timing of works will require careful co-ordination to ensure the city remains fully operational and construction traffic, noise and other development challenges are managed carefully.