Birmingham future city plan driven by joined up planning approach

Birmingham City Council has appointed consultant Arcadis to lead an initiative looking into how the city will evolve over the next two decades.

Arcadis will work with the city council and partners to look at how Birmingham delivers on its Our Future City Plan (OFCP), which is being developed alongside a revised Birmingham Development Plan due to be completed later this year.

The city’s council leader Ian Ward said opportunities presented by HS2, the expansion of the Midland Metro and the Commonwealth Games due to be held in the city this summer will make the 2020s a “golden decade” for Birmingham.

“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,” he added.

Arcadis will be responsible as lead consultant working with key partners; Glancy Nicholls Architects and Glenn Howells Architects, PJA, Turley, Knight Frank, JLL and CRTKL to ensure that the future growth plans deliver benefits and opportunities for everyone.

Arcadis city executive Simon Marks said the OFCP will be integral to addressing the changing needs of the city. “From climate change and the digital revolution, to urban mobility and changing retail distribution patterns – and of course the need to drive post-Covid recovery - we are seeing irreversible changes to the way we live, work, play and learn in Birmingham.”

The OFCP was informed by a consultation carried out last year which set out six ‘city themes’ to guide the development of Birmingham, including connections, nature, innovation and growth for all.