Changing Spaces Making Places: Economic Change Case Study - Birmingham

Question 1

What does Birmingham Research Park have?

Answer 1

Offices and laboratories inhabited by tertiary and quaternary sector businesses, mostly base in science or tech

Question 2

Who set up the Birmingham Research Park?

Answer 2

The University of Birmingham and the Birmingham City Council, to attract quaternary sector jobs due to the decline of primary and secondary sector jobs

Question 3

What is agglomeration?

Answer 3

Businesses benefit from each other when in close proximity

Question 4

What happened in the 1700s in Birmingham?

Answer 4

Population growth to 15000 people due to rural to urban migration

Question 5

What happened in the 1800s in Birmingham?

Answer 5

The growth of manufacturing, including guns, jewellery, buttons and brass which were transported on the canal network as well as the founding of Cadbury and Lloyds and Midlands banks. The construction of the London to Birmingham rail line encouraged further growth

Question 6

What happened in the 1900s to 1950s in Birmingham?

Answer 6

Car and tire manufacturing grew - most notably MG Rover, as well as chemical and metal work. There was also immigration into Birmingham from rural areas and Ireland

Question 7

What happened in the 1950s to 1960s in Birmingham?

Answer 7

There was high air pollution and smog due to factory work, but high quality suburb housing and 400 tower blocks were created and there was the growth of trans, trains, buses and cars in Birmingham

Question 8

What happened in the 1970s to 1980s in Birmingham?

Answer 8

Economic decline, falling from the highest earnings in the UK in 1970 to the lowest in the UK in 1983, as well as 19.4% unemployment in 1982

Question 9

What were the three main causes of the 1960s economic decline in Birmingham?

Answer 9

The 1973 oil crisis, the rise of TNCs and the decline of the British vehicle industry

Question 10

What was the effect of the 1973 oil crisis on Birmingham?

Answer 10

Oil prices increased tenfold, causing a large rise in energy prices as well as huge effects on the manufacturing industries in Birmingham

Question 11

What was the effect of TNCs on Birmingham?

Answer 11

TNCs created strong competition due to their lower production costs

Question 12

What was the effect of the British vehicle industry decline on Birmingham?

Answer 12

Birmingham became insignificant in the vehicle industry, with TNCs making more reliable, cheaper cars. TNCs did setup some UK factories, but government grants meant they were set up in other cities

Question 13

How did the local government help regeneration in Birmingham?

Answer 13

Promoted the city to attract investment, which helped to build the National Exhibition Centre and to expand the Birmingham International Airport

Question 14

How did the national government help regeneration in Birmingham?

Answer 14

Funding schemes such as City Challenge and the Single Regeneration Budget

Question 15

What corporation was established in Birmingham to help regeneration and when was it established?

Answer 15

The Birmingham Heartlands Development Corporation in 1992

Question 16

What corporation was established in Birmingham to help unemployment, when was it established and what did it do?

Answer 16

The New Deal for Communities in 1999 - provided work experience and broadband access to the inner city

Question 17

How did Birmingham get money from the EU for regeneration?

Answer 17

The Birmingham City Council has a European and International Affairs team, who promoted Birmingham for funding, previously acquiring £235 million from the EU Social Investment Fund between 2014 and 2020

Question 18

Why does Birmingham have ethnic diversity and how is it distributed?

Answer 18

Due to migration for jobs, with many immigrants clustering in areas which leads to ethnic places of worship, food shops and banks based in the source country of migrants

Question 19

How was planning important to Birmingham’s development?

Answer 19

It helped when public spaces and areas were regenerated and improved

Question 20

What are three examples of areas regenerated in Birmingham?

Answer 20

Centenary Square, the Council House and Town Hall

Question 21

What flagship developments were created in Birmingham?

Answer 21

The International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall in 1991

Question 22

How much was invested into education in Birmingham?

Answer 22

£20 million from 2003-2010

Question 23

How did Birmingham Uni help the regeneration of Birmingham?

Answer 23

Birmingham Uni’s 50000 students brings qualified workers to the area, which creates wealth and jobs in the area

Question 24

How much did the Birmingham Bull Ring cost and how did it help with regeneration?

Answer 24

It cost £530 million, created 8000 jobs, have 35 million visitors within a year of opening, making it the second busiest UK shopping centre. It brought retail and leisure opportunities, as well as improving public transport and city center parking capacities

Question 25

How did the Canal and River Trust help regeneration in Birmingham?

Answer 25

It was set up in 2012, and brings in leisure, transport and tourist opportunities to Birmingham

Question 26

How did Birmingham’s main railway station help with regeneration?

Answer 26

It was improved by a £700 million investment, which improved transport to the area and created 1000 jobs and retail opportunities