Evaluate the role of players in the placemaking process. (16)

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• Placemaking is the process of creating and improving public spaces to enhance their value and sense of place for the community. It is an important concept in urban development as it aims to improve the physical, social, and economic aspects of an area, creating a more livable and attractive environment for residents and visitors alike.
• Birmingham is a city located in the West Midlands region of England, approximately 100 miles northwest of London. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom, with a population of over 1.1 million people. The city is situated in the heart of England, with easy access to major transport links such as the M6 motorway and Birmingham International Airport.

Question 2

Para 1: Role of the Birmingham City Council

Answer 2

• Birmingham City Council played a crucial role in the placemaking process of Birmingham by leading and funding flagship projects as part of the Big City Plan. These projects aimed to reimagine and rebrand the city, making it a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
• The council invested over £1.3 billion into the regeneration of the city center, which includes the development of the Eastside, Paradise Circus, and Arena Central areas. The council also invested over £130 million into the New Street Station redevelopment project, which has transformed the station into a state-of-the-art transportation hub.
• The council’s significant investment in the regeneration of Birmingham’s city center has been instrumental in the success of the placemaking process. The development of the Eastside, Paradise Circus, and Arena Central areas has created new spaces for businesses and residents, contributing to the city’s economic growth. In particular, the transformation of New Street Station into a modern transportation hub has improved the connectivity of the city and made it more accessible to visitors and commuters.
• For example, the new Library of Birmingham replaced the old Birmingham Central Library in 2013, costing an estimated £193 million. It is now the largest public library in Britain and is seen by the council as a flagship project for the redevelopment of Birmingham. The council invested all of the £193 million into the Library of Birmingham
• The Library provides state-of-the-art facilities and resources for the community. It has also become a hub for cultural events and exhibitions, attracting visitors from all over the world. The library has helped to promote the city’s rich cultural heritage and has contributed to its reputation as a vibrant and dynamic place to live and work.

Question 3

Para 1: Evaluation

Answer 3

• The council’s investments were crucial in kickstarting the placemaking process, and they were able to attract significant additional investments from other players, and some may argue that without the Birmingham City Council involvement, a lot of the flagship projects would not have gone on at all.
• The council’s investment has not only brought in private investment from companies such as KPMG, John Lewis, and HSBC, but has also provided the necessary infrastructure for further development in the city center.
• They didn’t just play a role in terms of investment, but also in proviidng the necessary expertise and know-how. As the local governing body, they had a deep understanding of the city’s unique challenges and opportunities, as well as the needs and aspirations of the local community. This allowed them to design and implement strategic plans and policies that were tailored to the specific needs of the city, and ensured that placemaking efforts were aligned with the broader goals of economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. As such, their role in the placemaking process of Birmingham cannot be overstated, and they remain a key player in shaping the future of the city.

Question 4

Para 2: National Governments

Answer 4

• National governments have played a crucial role in the placemaking process of Birmingham, providing significant funding for key projects in the city. One of the most notable examples is the High-Speed 2 (HS2) railway project, which received approval from the UK government in 2012. The project includes a new terminal station, Curzon Street, which will connect Birmingham to London and the rest of the UK. The HS2 project is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to Birmingham, with estimates suggesting that it will create over 100,000 jobs in the region and generate £14 billion in gross value added by 2040.
• National funding played a significant role in the Big City Plan. The UK government provided £127 million towards the New Street Station redevelopment project, which was a crucial part of the Big City Plan.
• In addition to providing funding for the Big City Plan, national governments also played a role in creating policies and initiatives that supported the placemaking process in Birmingam through the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP). The partnership was established in 2011 to further attract foreign direct investment and is a collaboration of business, public sector, and education leaders. The Birmingham City Centre Enterprise Zone is one of the major projects for the GBSLEP, with the potential to create 40,000 new jobs and make available 1.3 million square meters of floor space over the lifetime of the project.

Question 5

Para 2: Evaluation

Answer 5

• Limited local control: When a significant portion of funding and decision-making comes from national governments, there may be less opportunity for local stakeholders (such as residents, businesses, and local government) to shape the direction and priorities of placemaking efforts. This can lead to a lack of buy-in or engagement from those who are most affected by the changes taking place.
• That being said, the huge amount of funding they gave meant that they had a crucial role in Birmingham’s placemaking process

Question 6

Para 3: The EU

Answer 6

• The European Union (EU) played a significant role in the placemaking process of Birmingham, providing substantial funding to the city to support various regeneration projects. The EU provided upwards of £1 billion in funding to Birmingham, which was instrumental in kickstarting the city’s redevelopment efforts.
• One of the most notable projects that received EU funding was the International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall, located inside the ICC. The EU paid £50 million of the £200 million total cost of this project, which opened in 1991 and has hosted events such as world summits and the Tory Party Conference.
• In addition to the ICC, the EU also provided £30 million in funding to the National Exhibition Centre for a refurbishment, which is the busiest exhibition space in Europe. The EU also provided £2 million in funding to help tackle high levels of economic deprivation in the city, supporting the Bordesley centre to build up the current base of social, recreational, and sports activities available to the whole community.

Question 7

Para 3: Evaluation

Answer 7

• EU spent the second most amount of money on the placemaking process, so it was a pretty significant player in the placemaking process
• Since Brexit, the role of the EU in the future of Birmingham’s placemaking will inevtiably decrease, and perhaps even hinder Birmingham’s placemaking. (The Big City Plan, goes all the way to 2031)

Question 8

Judgement

Answer 8

Do it in the exam, but I think it is the Birmingham Council that plays the biggest role in the placemaking process