City needs a great finale
Mar 29 2007 Perspective
Birmingham City Council's masterplan for the city centre's development offers an unprecedented opportunity for Brum on the world stage, says Gary Cardin of property consultants Drivers Jonas.
The rebirth of Birmingham has been a phenomenal story. The entire city has made giant leaps forward over the past two decades and the city centre has transformed beyond recognition.
At this moment there are approximately £10 billion worth of residential and commercial schemes in and around the city centre at various stages of completion.
Birmingham's professional and service sector is now the most significant outside London and continues to grow. But, some may say that the success of the city's regeneration has been more through chance than design.
More than 20 years ago there was a realisation Birmingham was lacking the very basic facilities needed to compete on an international stage.
In the words of Professor Michael Parkinson, who has penned the masterplan's proposals, Birmingham has had a "good first act" but it's well recognised that it has been followed by a lacklustre second act, missing the requisite dynamism and vision.
What we now need is a great finale.
A masterplan can assist in bringing all the complexities of a growing city together, creating an urban space that will meet the needs of the increasing numbers of residents and businesses that have made it their home.
Prof Parkinson, whose study describes potential developments for the 810 hectares within the inner ring road, certainly has had his work cut out – and not putting too finer point on it, Birmingham's future prosperity depends on it.
The truth is that Birmingham is on the cusp of even greater things and this is the opportunity to ensure that Birmingham makes the right decisions over the next ten years to cement its position as a leading UK city and a major player on the world stage.
While these are now both statements of fact, we should certainly take nothing for granted.
When announcing the appointment of Prof Parkinson and the creation of a masterplan, the council's own website said it was a measure that would "enable Birmingham to take its rightful place as a globally competitive city". Clearly the city council believes there is still work to be done.
The initial findings of the Parkinson Report are, to many, going to state what was already blindingly obvious about the shortcomings of our city.
But, we should read on – as this is just the beginning.
We need to understand what are the key assets of our city – how can they be developed into flagship icons.
Learn more about the reasons behind why certain aspects of our city fail and address these, but in equal measure understand how we can promote and enhance all those elements of the city which fare well and build on these.
Birmingham should not try and become a "copycat city" looking to Manchester, Barcelona or New York for its answers – the answers are all within and the sooner we believe in what we say and do, then I believe great progress can be made.
We should stop talking about the same issues to the same people in the same inward looking circle.
The sooner we turn around and start telling the world, the better.
But talking is only part of the game, what is vital is delivery which is where we need the weight of Government, financing and funding to help deliver the new vision of Birmingham.
This will not only include delivery of major infrastructure projects or iconic developments to say "you have arrived in Birmingham", but a broader canvas to create new environments and sustainable communities in which to live, work, shop and relax, that also builds on our great cultural and historic fabric and embraces our diversity and youth.
Which other major community is to embark on a new city park?
It's not about being apologetic, it's about embracing it.
Such themes need to be at the heart of the new vision for Birmingham and drive its new development and put it firmly on the global stage.
Just look at the buzz created around the G8 conference, World Indoor Athletic Games, The Eurovision Song Contest and even a glimpse of Birmingham as a weekend destination on the BBC's Holiday programme – and boy, did it look good!
The masterplan is undoubtedly a bold move and Birmingham is leading the way in strategically planning the future of its city centre, but it can only succeed with support.
There is no point blaming someone else all the time. We need to believe in it and play our role in meeting the shared vision of a prosperous and vibrant Birmingham.
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