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
We don’t want to make companies move, but we will if it helps the city overall.
It is the job of the planning system to make sure that empty land or buildings are used.
Original Document
Whilst not seeking to drive out existing productive firms the city must plan to make best use of land and property. As industrial land and premises become vacant the task of the planning system is to recycle it back into productive use quickly.
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
A “Virtual Birmingham” is another useful idea. We could start with 3D digital representation of the City Centre to help city planners, developers, agencies and the public to plan and re-shape the city. It will allow people to think about the impact of proposals. It would help people who live and visit Birmingham find their way around the city, including offering them new ways to connect with what’s going on here. It would encourage inward investment by acting as a showcase to attract national and international interest and open up opportunities to explore the art of the possible.
Original Document
The creation of a “Virtual Birmingham” is another valuable concept. Starting with a 3D representation of the City Centre, it would enable city planners, developers, stakeholders and the public to plan and visually re-shape the city centre and consider its impacts. It would enable citizens and both national and international visitors to view and navigate the city centre more effectively and interactively, providing a richer experience and engagement. It would encourage inward investment by acting as a showcase to attract national and international interest and open up opportunities to explore the art of the possible.