Posts Tagged ‘spaces’

2.1.3 Improving Liveability

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.

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3.7.3

Plain English Version

The core of the city centre has a good network of public squares. The older squares including St. Philips and St. Pauls have been complemented by  modern projects including Centenary Square, Victoria Square, Brindley Place, St. Martins Square, and Millennium Point. They link attractions such as the Ikon Gallery, Symphony Hall, the REP theatres, and the Library.

These together with the pedestrian routes down New Street to the Bull Ring create a pleasant walking environment through the centre.

There are less public spaces near New Street Station and the south side of the city centre.

Original Document

The core of the city centre has a distinctive network of public squares. The older spaces including St. Philips and St. Pauls have been complemented by successful modern public realm projects including Centenary Square, Victoria Square, Brindleyplace, St. Martins Square, and Millennium Point, linking several attractions such as the Ikon Gallery, Symphony Hall, the REP theatres, and the Library of Birmingham. These together with the pedestrian routes down New Street to the Bull Ring create a pleasant walking environment along a central spine through the centre, although the areas around New Street Station and the south side of the city centre are less well endowed with public spaces.

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Play local

Plain English Version

We think that Birmingham needs a good network of green spaces and canals. We should have a range of parks, gardens and squares.

Original Document

Birmingham needs a comprehensive network of green spaces and canals. A range of smaller local pocket parks or gardens squares and great parks should be provided.

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Question CUL2

Plain English Version

How could we use outdoor leisure or tourism events to make the city centre economy and image better? How can we use the spaces we have now or make new spaces for holding events? How can we support different types of events? How can we have more flexible outdoor and indoor space: should we, for example, put it into the wholesale markets area?

Original Document

How might the city centre economy and image be enhanced through outdoor leisure/tourism events and how might existing spaces be used or new spaces created to accommodate such events? How can the city go about creating the right conditions for formal, free and spontaneous outdoor events? How can more flexible outdoor and indoor space be provided: should it, for example, go onto a future development of the wholesale markets?

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Question CUL4

Plain English Version

Where and how could the city get new space for arts exhibitions within big new developments, such as New Street Station?

Original Document

Where and how might the city seek to get new arts exhibition space and venues incorporated into major new developments (for example, like New Street Station)?

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Question ENV1

Plain English Version

What can we do to make sure that the changes in the city centre, such as new buildings and spaces are very high quality?

Original Document

What steps should be taken to ensure that new development in the city centre, including urban design, buildings and spaces, is of the highest quality, and furthers Birmingham’s aims as a a global city?

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Univercity

Plain English Version

We think that Birmingham must understand how important its universities and colleges are and help graduates to stay in Birmingham and use their skills in business. We should encourage technology businesses by having new types of workspace, flexible learning and living space and support (such as advice and grants).

Original Document

Birmingham must value its strong academic base and turn it into city-based enterprise if it is going to compete better on the world stage. Technological enterprise should be encouraged by new forms of workspace, flexible learning and living space and business support.

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