Posts Tagged ‘carbon’

Smart city

Plain English Version

We think that Birmingham must be one of the best cities at finding ways to become better and richer, while at the same time causing less damage to the environment. This is called ‘smart growth‘. This means finding new ways to cut carbon produced by transport; to manage electricity and gas in buildings; to make good use of water; and to create as little waste as possible.

Original Document

Birmingham must lead the field on achieving smart growth. This means finding new ways to reduce transport carbon; to manage energy in buildings; to make good use of water; and to minimise waste.

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2.1.13 and 2.1.14

Plain English Version

The “Issues and Options Report” will ask how Birmingham can be a leading environmentally smart city and help achieve the aims set out in the plan “Cutting CO2 for a Smarter Birmingham“. The ’smart city’ idea is important in the Big City Plan.

Original Document

The Issues and Options report will ask how Birmingham can be a leading-edge environmentally smart city and play a full role in delivering the city’s strategic framework - ‘Cutting CO2 for a Smarter Birmingham. The concept of the ‘smart city’ will be a strong theme running through the whole of the Big City Plan.

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2.1.2

Plain English Version

The plan of action for the Big City Plan aims to make it possible for Birmingham City Centre to:

  • Grow to be able to cope with being the UK’s second most important city;
  • Score much higher in charts of places where people most want to live in the world (such as the “Mercer Index“); and move from number 56 into the top 20;
  • Change its economy and environment for the better;
  • Become a ’smart’ city, reaching its target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% by 2026, as well as making the economy stronger.

Original Document

The strategy of the Big City Plan will aim to provide the conditions for Birmingham City Centre to:

  • Grow to serve the city’s status as the UK’s second world city;
  • Raise the city much higher on global indices of liveability (such as the Mercer Index 1 ); moving into the top 20 cities from its current 56th place;
  • Transform itself economically and environmentally;
  • Become a ‘smart’ city, delivering its 60% CO 2 emissions target by 2026, coupled with strong economic growth.

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4.2.1

Plain English Version

At the moment, traffic jams are mostly around the main junctions on the Ring Road and along the A38 (Bristol Road). The main areas for traffic problems in the centre are at Holloway Circus, Paradise Circus, St Chads, around the Bull Ring/Moat Lane and at Masshouse. While access by car is and will remain vital for the sucess and vitality of the city centre, we must cut the amount of traffic to meet carbon emissions targets, and less traffic will also be good for the city. It is essential that we improve the quality of alternatives to the car (see later sections). We must also deal with how the actual traffic and road network affects the development of the city centre and how nice it looks.

Original Document

Traffic congestion is currently related primarily to key junctions on the Ring Road, while the A38 corridor also continues to experience high levels of traffic demand. The main areas of congestion in the centre are at the junctions of Holloway Circus, Paradise Circus, St Chads, around the gyratory systems at Bull Ring/Moat Lane and at Masshouse. While access by car is and will remain vital for the success and vitality of the city centre, reducing traffic levels will be necessary if carbon emissions targets are to be met, while reduced congestion will also benefit the city. Improving the quality of alternatives to the car will clearly be essential (see later sections). The negative impacts of the physical traffic and highway infrastructure on the development and overall attractiveness of the city centre must also be addressed.

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Question CON1

Plain English Version

How should we manage moving more people around the city, bearing in mind our aims of promoting modes of transport other than car and cutting carbon emissions? How can we manage access to the city centre for delivery and service vehicles? How can we use technology and new design to help deliveries to all types of buildings?

Original Document

How should we manage the anticipated growth in people movement, both “natural” growth and growth from new development, bearing in mind the objective of promoting non-car modes and reducing carbon emissions? How can future demands for delivery and service vehicle access to the city centre best be managed? What technological and design innovations could help facilitate deliveries to all types of premises?

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