Plain English Version
The most important way to improve how people see the city is to make it a nice place to live. This can be done by having:
- well-designed buildings, streets and spaces
- a range of nice homes
- social facilities including schools, local centres and open space
- nice and safe walking routes
- public transport that is easy to use and works well.
The cities where people most want to live have a good economy and are attractive. They attract highly qualified people and investment. They make all of the people who live there feel valued. Table 2.1 shows where Birmingham is on the “Mercer liveability Index” (a chart of where people most want to live). The plan will focus on the aims of Birmingham becoming one of the most important cities in the world and also one of the cities where people most want to live. The plan will work with the way the city centre is set out now (the central part and the districts) and make a base on which Birmingham can grow and become a city where people want to live.
Original Document
The most important factor in raising the city’s status is the city’s liveability. This includes a good physical environment to attract people and improve the city’s image, with well designed buildings, streets and spaces; a range of attractive homes and social facilities including schools, local centres and open space, attractive and safe walking routes, efficient and easy to use public transport. The most liveable cities are economically successful and desirable. People want to live there; they attract highly qualified people and hence investment. They promote social inclusion. Table 2.1 shows Birmingham’s position on the Mercer liveability index. Liveability is the essential ingredient in the recipe to raise Birmingham’s role as a world city. The plan will focus on the objectives of world city and liveability: the global city with a local heart. Working broadly with the grain of the existing city centre structure – the urban structure of core and quarters – the plan will create the foundation for Birmingham’s growth and its progress as a liveable city.
Plain English Version
‘Growth’ is an important part of the Big City Plan. Birmingham will be an important centre for growth in England as a whole and also within the West Midlands region. The number of people living in Birmingham could grow by about a tenth to around 1.1 million people. There are a lot of young people living in Birmingham, which leads to a bigger population, and there will be more households and so more housing will be needed.
Original Document
Growth will be a key theme of the Big City Plan. Birmingham will be a major focus for growth in England and within the West Midlands region. The potential growth in population over this period could be up to 10% or more, raising the population to at least 1.1 million. Birmingham also has a young population which is itself an important driver of growth, and the number of households – and hence the need for housing – will also continue to grow.
Plain English Version
The city centre must help to house the rise in people and households that we expect for the city. There are two important things:
- we must have balanced neighbourhoods with lots of facilities that will mean that families want to live in the centre
- we must have planning rules that mean we have the right kind of new housing.
A growing population needs more jobs, schools, shops, places to go, places to enjoy. This report has ideas about how we can make this happen.
Original Document
It is clear that whichever option is followed within the Core Strategy, the city centre must play its part in accommodating the big rise in population and households that is forecast for the city. This has important implications in two areas. Firstly, the need to create balanced communities with a full range of facilities that will encourage families to live in the centre; and secondly, the need to adopt planning policies that allow for the right kind of residential growth within the centre. A growing population will need more jobs, schools, more shops, places to go, places to enjoy. This report suggests ways in which these changes may be realised and delivered.
Plain English Version
This report also suggests choices based on policy for the districts whose economic activity is staying still or falling such as the Gun Quarter, Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter. These choices include ideas to expand business, the creative industries and housing in these areas.
Original Document
This report also suggests policy-based options for the quarters that have experienced stagnating or declining economic activity including the Gun Quarter, Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter, which include ideas for the expansion of business, creative industries and housing within these areas.
Plain English Version
To raise the city’s profile, several things need to happen. The plan must offer chances for high-quality offices and shops in the central area to expand and for the city to carry on holding important international events in modern, high-quality venues. It must also allow for culture to develop, including the idea of using the city itself as a gallery; for the city’s academic and research profile to be raised; and for businesses and specialist activites to be set up and developed. It must also do something that is not so easy to plan for, which is aim to create or increase the things that make the city interesting, exciting and varied. So the central area will spread out, and there will be an area around it that will have a mixture of city centre and more local activities, shown on Figure 5.2. The questions later on in this report ask you what you think we can do in the city centre to let us achieve these goals:
- one of the most important cities in the world for business and high value commercial operations
- important in arts and culture
- a leader in making and using digital technology
- a source of research, development and new enterprise from our universities
- a profitable and growing environment for new high technology and green industries
- famous for its entertainment and leisure facilities
- shopping and town centre services and surroundings that are suitable for one of the most important cities in the world
- the right conditions to develop creative and fringe activities
- very good open spaces and public places (such as parks and squares)
- nice city centre surroundings where a variety of people live, especially families
- a city that is easy to get to and around with good transport and stations and that is good for telecommunications (such as phones, internet and cable services)
Original Document
To raise the city’s status, a number of factors need to come together. plan will need to provide opportunities for central area uses such as prime offices and shops to expand and for the city to continue to stage high level international events in modern, quality facilities. It will need to create the right conditions for the further development of the cultural assets of the city including developing the concept of the city itself as a gallery; the raising of the city’s academic and research profile; and for starting and growing central area businesses and niche, specialist activities. Less easily planned for, it must aim to create or foster the conditions that add human interest, excitement and diversity to the city. The central area will therefore expand further out of the core, and there will be a transition zone outside this area which will contain a mixture of city centre and more local activities, shown on Figure 5. 2. questions in the later sections of this report ask what can be done in the city centre to enable to realise the following ambitions as a global city:
- A world player in business and high value commercial operations
- A big international presence in arts and culture
- A leader in the development and application of digital technology
- A major seed bed for spin-off research, development and new enterprise from the universities
- A profitable and growth-oriented environment for clusters of emerging high technology and green industries
- A famed range of entertainment and leisure facilities
- Shopping and town centre services and environment commensurate with global city status
- supportive conditions for the strong development of creative and fringe use and activities
- Outstanding open spaces and public places
- An attractive city centre living environment for a diverse range of residents, especially families
- Outstanding accessibility, both physical and virtual, through high quality sustainable transport and user-friendly transport interchanges and high speed next generation telecommunication
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Plain English Version
We need more nursery places and schools for younger and pre-school age children within the BCity Centre area, if it is to have more family-friendly housing in the future.
Original Document
Education provision also needs to be improved for younger and pre-school age children within the Big City Plan area, especially if the city centre is to accommodate more family-friendly housing in the future.
Plain English Version
Central areas include (among many things) expensive offices and other businesses, a large variety of shops, flats, leisure, tourism and cultural facilities. Mostly these are in the very centre of the city, within the Queensway (inner ring road).
However, the city can change and as it develops, we will need a larger central area. In fact, this has already been happening. Changes to the Queensway have made it for the central area to expand and in the last 10 years, it has spread out to the west around Brindleyplace. If we look at the large office area at Fiveways, we could say that changes to the central area have been happening for almost 50 years. Recently, the central area has started spreading out to the east.
Brindleyplace has been very successful and is an easy walk from New Street. The Mailbox, Baskerville House and the leisure uses along Broad Street have also expanded the central area to the west. The Bullring to the south has helped improve people’s knowledge and opinion of Birmingham. It fits in well with the shops on New Street.
The central area will expand further while the Big City Plan is happening. The Plan will help make the central area bigger and better quality. The next place that the central area will spread out into is Eastside. The Masshouse development and Millenium Point have already started this process.
We have a great chance to improve the area to the south of the Historic Core, starting with the re-building of New Street Station. The new station will be very important in improving people’s knowledge and opinion of Birmingham and will make the experience of visitors arriving in the city much better.
Also, the Wholesale Markets are a very large site near the central area. These two areas will make up a large part of changes to the south of the traditional Historic Core. They can be used to improve the quality of the streets, spaces and transport links in the whole of the southern part of the city centre. We should think about the areas of New Street Station and the Wholesale Markets together.
So, even though the way the Big City Plan is organised is based on the existing central area, it will expand into nearby areas particularly Eastside, Westside and Southside. We want these areas to have lively and different features: for example the Gay Village and Chinese Quarter in Southside, leisure uses in Westside, the learning district in Eastside and food and specialist services and markets in Southside.
So, when you are reading the following sections, please remember that although the policy areas are set up by lines on a map, the activities in the city are changing and the central area activities will not really be limited by these boundaries.
Original Document
Central areas include (among many things) high value offices and commercial uses, a varied and large retail offer, high density city centre living, leisure, tourism and cultural provision. Traditionally these were contained within the Historic Core at the heart of the city, an area mostly bounded by the Queensway.
However, the city is not static and Birmingham’s growing role as a global city will require a wider area to accommodate these central area uses. In fact, this has already been happening for some time. The Queensway has become more permeable in recent years, and in the last 10 years central area uses have expanded to the west around Brindleyplace. Arguably, this process has been going on for almost 50 years if the large scale office development in the Fiveways area is taken into account. More recently, central area functions have begun to expand to the east.
The expansion to the west in the form of Brindleyplace has been very successful and is easily walkable from New Street. The Mailbox, Baskerville House and the leisure uses along Broad Street have also expanded the city’s central area functions westwards. The iconic Bullring development to the south has made a very positive contribution towards raising the profile of Birmingham. It integrates well with the retail offer in New Street.
During the life of the plan, there will be further expansion of the central area functions beyond the historic core. The Big City Plan will be the catalyst for expanding the scale and improving the quality of these functions. The next location for central area expansion is Eastside. The Masshouse development and Millennium Point have already started this process.
There is also huge potential to improve the built environment to the south of the Historic Core, beginning with the redevelopment of New Street Station. This transformational development will be fundamental to raising the profile of Birmingham as a global city. The proposals for New Street Station will be immensely beneficial to improving the arrival experience into the city.
In addition, the Wholesale Markets are a very large site close to the heart of the city. These two big opportunities will form the basis of a major transformation to the south of the traditional Historic Core. They form two poles of growth which can be used to transform the quality of the streets, spaces and transport links in the whole of the southern part of the city centre. To get the most out of these opportunities, New Street Station and the Wholesale Markets must be considered together.
Thus although the structure of the plan is based on the defined policy areas for the sake of convenience, central area uses will expand beyond the historic core into neighbouring areas of the city centre, and in particular into Eastside, Westside and Southside. The intention is that these areas will develop vibrant distinctive characters: for example the Gay Village and Chinese Quarter in Southside, leisure uses in Westside, the learning quarter within Eastside and food and specialist functions and markets in Southside.
In reading the following sections, therefore, it is important to bear in mind that, whilst the policy areas are defined by lines drawn on a plan, the activities within the city are changing and dynamic and the central area functions will not be confined by these boundaries. An important part of the Big City Plan will be to allow for the growth and expansion of Birmingham’s central area functions.
Plain English Version
We think that more people should live in Birmingham city centre, its economy should become stronger and there should be a wider range of culture. We think that there should be more big businesses in the core and wider central area (see map), as well as one of the world’s best centres for shopping, cultural and leisure facilities (such as theatres, art galleries, sports centres and parks). We want these activities happening in the centre to spread out into the areas next to the city centre.
Original Document
Birmingham city centre should grow in population, economic strength and cultural diversity. The core and wider central area should house more major businesses and world class retail and cultural and recreational facilities. These central area activities will expand out of the core into neighbouring parts of the city centre.
Plain English Version
We think that Birmingham’s agencies (such as health trusts, education authority and council departments) should work together to provide the things that are needed for families to live in the city centre – new parks, schools, health centres, meeting places, local workplaces – all provided at the same time as new homes.
Original Document
Birmingham’s agencies should work together to deliver the essentials for city centre family living – new parks, schools, health centres, meeting places, local workplaces – all delivered in tandem with new homes.
Plain English Version
We think that Birmingham should try to show the range of different people living here through its projects, businesses and housing, and through its buildings, food, music, theatres and art.
Original Document
Birmingham should actively seek to reflect the diversity of its population, through its enterprises, businesses and housing, and through the built environment, food, music, theatres and art.
Plain English Version
We think that there should be a lot more families living in the city centre, to balance out the recent increase in small apartments and help us have a wider range of activities in the city centre.
Original Document
Birmingham should seek to increase radically the number of families living in the city centre, to balance out the recent growth in small apartments and to support a wider range of city centre activities.
Plain English Version
We think that Birmingham should have a great new family neighbourhood in the city centre. We should also have a range of housing types and different ways of buying or renting over varying amounts of time.
Original Document
Birmingham should accommodate a great new family neighbourhood within the city centre. Birmingham should also provide for a range of housing types and tenures.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?