New project to rebuild the Second City unveiled

Businesses and communities across Birmingham are being called upon to help shape a bold new future for their city. Our Future City Plan (OFCP) Central Birmingham 2040 Draft Framework: ‘Shaping Our City Together’, was launched today (26th January) at a virtual event hosted by Estates Gazette, marking the start of the next phase of the city’s future development over the next 20 years.

A key aim of these proposals for the Central Birmingham area is to strengthen the links with the city centre and its integration with surrounding inner-city suburbs such as Aston, Nechells, Balsall Heath, Small Heath and Sparkbrook.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside broader environmental, societal, and economic challenges, has prompted this project’s launch, which will eventually replace the Big City Plan, the existing city centre masterplan launched in 2010.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, said: “This plan marks a major change from previous approaches to the city centre, with a clear intention to spread the benefits of development and investment into inner-city areas, supporting access to infrastructure, jobs and improved public spaces.”

The ambitious strategy focuses on creating people-centred environments, opportunities for growth in emerging green industries, improving health and wellbeing through access to green spaces, and making cycling and walking more comfortable, safer, and attractive.

Public consultation begins today (26^th January) and runs until 26^th March 2021. Feedback received will inform the OFCP Central Birmingham 2040 Draft Framework to be released in autumn 2021 for further consultation. Details of virtual events and activities that will be taking place as part of this consultation will be added in due course.

Ian Macleod, Acting Director of Inclusive Growth at Birmingham City Council, said: “With the challenges of climate change and wider social and economic changes, the Shaping our City Together document proposes ambitious ideas that seek to deliver the solutions the city and its people need.”