The Big City Plan, it’s what gets decided while you’re looking the other way

29 May 2009

By Jon Bounds

While we wait for the results of the Big City Plan consultation, for the new report and it’s follow-on consultation, and its passing by central government for approval, it seems that decisions are dripping out. Here’s a round-up of things announced and “happening” that I’d have considered to be still part of the consultation process:

“The council has given the nod for Birmingham Wholesale Markets to relocate to a site three miles from the city centre near the M6 in Witton and has appointed property firm Prupim as preferred bidder.” Birmingham Post

“The relatively unsung – and unexploited – “gay village”, five minutes from the Bullring and next to the Chinese Quarter, is in line for some upgrading.” Birmingham Post

“Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter is in line for a £1.5 million makeover with the creation of a “Golden Square” chosen by the public. Local architects Capita Lovejoy beat off competition from five rivals to secure the contract for the new space, which is designed to provide a focal point for visitors and shoppers. It will also accommodate ad hoc events including markets and exhibitions.” The Stirrer

“Digital transport project to be rolled out in Birmingham, for an integrated transport information system that would combine data such as traffic congestion, car parking availability and bus scheduling to provide live real-time information for individuals to plan journeys by computer, mobile phone or GPS.” Birmingham Central

Have you spotted any more? We may be able to piece together every bit of the plan before it’s decided upon.

Tags: Big City Plan, birminghamuk

Michael

Does Beorma Tower fit into this category? Or was that pre-BCP?
Jon Bounds

There was a question about where high buildings would be allowed/encouraged. I'd say the spiky glass cat cock blocking views of Selfridges fits into that.
Jon Bounds

Here's another one: http://skitch.com/bounder/b1fjd/f107-main-issue...

Looking more and more like what "festivals" do, add a name and a logo to lots of stuff that was happening anyway.
Dave Harte

I suppose the last of those could be seen as part of the digital connectivity part of the plan but it isn't directly connected to the Big City Plan. The Intelligent Transport project has been underway for a while and was funded as a Science City project. There is info on the Digital Birmingham website but I appreciate that it's not that clearly explained. We should probably do a blog post about it to expand on its gestation and the thinking behind it.

One of the companies involved in its development has posted up a video giving some details on how the software works.
Jon Bounds

If I recall correctly the connectivity section sort of asked if this sort of thing was what people wanted — so however good it is it's irritating to be asked if you want something that's already happening. A feeling I'm getting more and more about the "options" that the BCP discussed.

I would be good to read some stuff about this that hasn't been through the press or PR wringer, so yes a blog post would be good.
Michael

That was my understanding too, but to be honest I'm really not clear whether the Big City Plan was supposed to be telling us what was going to happen or asking us for feedback on suggestions. It seems to have been trying to do both at the same time. Poor thing, maybe it just needs to lie down.
bigcityplanbuzz (bigcityplanbu

New post out there: The Big City Plan, it?s what gets decided while you?re looking the other .. http://tinyurl.com/mjrsjy