P2 Section A: URBAN ISSUES AND CHALLENGES - BIRMINGHAM Flashcards
1
Q
BIRMINGHAM: NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
A
- Growing population: 1.4 million
- International airport: 12 mil visitors in 2017
- Education: over 5 unis (60k students)
- Tourism: £35 billion to economy (35 million visitors to Bullring)
2
Q
BIRMINGHAM: SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
A
- Most Michelin star restaurants outside of London
- Host Commonwealth Games: £750 million to economy
- Integrated transport system: redevelopment of area created 14k jobs, 2000 city center homes
–> £1.3 billion in a year
3
Q
BIRMINGHAM: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
A
- Largest no. of businesses + start-ups offering jobs, retail, leisure and tech opportunities
- Home to 31 000 companies
- Provides space for 300 organisations based in the UK who have operations outside the UK
4
Q
BIRMINGHAM: ENVIRONMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES
A
- One of the greenest cities in Europe
- 500 parks and open spaces (Botanical Gardens + Eastside Park)
- 28km of cycle routes
- Clean Air Zone started in 2021
- Urban greening: green terraces at library
5
Q
BIRMINGHAM: URBAN CHALLENGES
A
- Birmingham holds 4/5 constituencies for highest rates of unemployment
- Unemployment around 9-12%
- 3rd most deprived city in 2015
- Highest share of people with no qualifications of any UK cities
- Life expectancy decreases closer to center
- Education worse inner city (e.g. Sparkbrook) where young leave with no grades
- Increased dereliction in inner cities (e.g. Digbeth)
- Growth of commuter settlements on edges- more traffic (strain transport network)
6
Q
BIRMINGHAM: ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
A
- Only 30% waste recycled in 2015
- Brownfield site: land decayed –> difficult finding ideal site –> urban sprawl
- 20 000 new homes built on greenbelt Sutton Coldfield (due to urban sprawl)