Welcome to Birmingham 2040... Council launches green dream as it looks to transform city into an oasis
ASTRIKING vision of how Birmingham city centre could look by the year 2040 suggests the busy A38 ring road could be transformed into a green oasis.
The vision features skyscrapers clad with plants and bushes, rooftop gardens, avenues of trees and walls and spaces being used to grow edible fruit and vegetables.
Birmingham City Council has published the plans – which it stresses are concepts and not representative of fixed proposals – as part of a new consultation into “Shaping Our City Together”.
The public is asked to contribute suggestions for the development of the city over the next 20 years ahead of the publication of the Our Future City Plan: Central Birmingham 2040 Draft Framework in the autumn.
The area under discussion covers the city centre and goes up to Nechells to the north, Small Heath to the east, Balsall Heath to the south and Soho and the Jewellery Quarter to the west.
The authority also wants to make cycling and walking easier, safer and more attractive.
Images published to stimulate discussion show huge amounts of greenery in the city centre as well as skyscrapers neighbouring the city’s iconic Rotunda building.
Ambitious questions posed in the city plan consultation document include whether the city could:
Create new green spaces to connect the proposed Duddeston Viaduct
Skypark, the canals and River Rea to Garrison Park.
Rethink the buildings around the forthcoming HS2 Curzon Street Station to provide new workspaces and new homes.
Transform the A38 at St Chads Queensway into a green oasis supporting walking, cycling and public transport.
Repurpose the Hockley Flyover to provide a destination green space and new walking and cycling links.
The document states the council is aiming for a “zero-carbon approach to development” which will “create a fair, inclusive and green place that benefits all”.
Council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: “As the main centre of development activity in our city over the last 30 years, investment in the city centre has provided jobs, homes, improvements to sustainable transport, new cultural destinations and educational opportunities. With the opportunities of HS2, expansion of the Midland Metro and the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the city will continue to be a major regional, national hub and centre for international investment.
“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 release of an early engagement document such as this is intended to seek feedback from a wide spectrum of voices ranging from the individuals, organizations and communities to ensure all of Birmingham’s communities are shaping the city together.”
Ian Macleod, acting director of inclusive growth at Birmingham City Council, said: “This marks the start of a continuous engagement process to transform Central Birmingham into a green, prosperous and fair place.
“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.”
The consultation is now open and runs until March 26 and the results will be published in the autumn.
Visit www.birminghambeheard. org.uk