Our Future City Framework is the route map to a greener Birmingham of more jobs, better transport options and higher quality, energy efficient new homes. All part of the wider agenda supported by the voluntary and community sector. As we look ahead to the future of our brilliant and bold Birmingham, the Draft Central Birmingham Framework 2040 is Birmingham’s plan – not the City Council’s. We have worked with (and will continue to work with) citizens, businesses, VCFSE organisations, developers, investors, and other partners.

This is a new 20-year vision and framework for the development of Central Birmingham to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges of the 2020s and beyond.

The framework outlines the potential to create 74,000 new jobs – an 80 per cent increase on the city centre current employment capacity, as well up to 35,000 new homes for Birmingham’s young and growing population. Delivery of the framework’s vision would double the city’s green spaces to a level comparable with Vienna and double Birmingham’s network of active travel routes to 200km – the same level of healthy transport infrastructure as in Copenhagen, with a range of measures from public transport corridors to new cycling and walking routes. 

The Central Area

It covers a wider area than ever before – going “Beyond the Ring Road” it’s not an inward-looking document focussing on just the city centre. It recognises the reality that Central Birmingham is made of several destinations, centres, quarters and neighbourhoods each with their own offer, character and opportunities that can deliver growth for all across our communities.   It is about extending the opportunities of growth and investment within existing neighbourhoods.  The framework is geographically grouped into five distinct areas:

• City Heart: Bull Ring, Colmore Business District, Snowhill and Steelhouse, Southside, Town, Westside;
• Central North: Eastside and Aston Triangle, Gun Quarter, Nechells, Newtown;
• Central East: Bordesley, Digbeth, Small Heath;
• Central South: Balsall Heath, Edgbaston, Highgate
• Central West: Hockley, Jewellery Quarter, Ladywood, Spring Hill.

How Can Your Organisation Get Involved?

We are asking for VCFSE organisations to support us in reaching communities to feedback on the draft framework for Central Birmingham. ‘Our Future Draft Central Birmingham Framework 2040’ is now subject to public consultation until the 18th July 2023.

Whilst a template for change has been outlined, it is not a final blueprint. The publication of this document is part of a continuous process of engagement and collaboration to ensure that all communities across Birmingham have an opportunity to shape and deliver our shared future. The feedback received will support the production of the ‘Final Our Future Central Birmingham Framework 2040,’ anticipated to be adopted later this year. We encourage you to share your views and get involved to shape the future of Central Birmingham.

We know you will already have community facing events planned over the next few weeks and our core ask is that we would like to attend to allow the citizens present to shape the proposal. We need opportunities to reach into communities that allow us to have conversations with people in and around the areas listed above. If your community uses the city centre, we would like them to be able to shape the plan.

If you are planning an event between 25th of May and the 20th of July, please invite us along. We can be reached directly through email at [email protected] , and we look forward to meeting you and the communities you support.