Arcadis appointed to develop next phase for Birmingham regeneration

Arcadis has been appointed by Birmingham City Council to deliver the next phase of the Our Future City Plan which will look at the city’s development up to 2040.

It will work with the city council and partners to look at how Birmingham will evolve as a city as it continues to transform into a location for sustainable regeneration.

The Our Future City Plan (OFCP) was informed by the successful Shaping Our City Together consultation, conducted in 2021.

It was designed to follow on from the Big City Plan (BCP), launched in 2011, which has been a major catalyst in attracting significant investment into Birmingham.

The BCP identified key transformation areas and quarters, guiding developers and investors, setting standards and outlining ambitions. 

However, both the city council and Arcadis say that the world continues to change and the next phase of the OFCP will be essential for supporting the ongoing evolution of the city.

The next phase will include setting the ambitions and aspirations for the seven identified Central Renewal Areas of Birmingham – with the aim to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Arcadis will be responsible as lead consultant, working with their 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.

The OFCP will be developed alongside a revised Birmingham Development Plan, which is due to be completed this year. 

The plan’s outcomes will create further opportunities for inward investment and collaboration with the city council, enabling high quality development to continue over the next few decades. 

Simon Marks, city executive at Arcadis, said: "Birmingham is on an exciting journey, and over the last decade we’ve seen how new challenges and opportunities are impacting the shape of our 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. Our Future City Plan will be integral to addressing these needs, and we are privileged to be supporting Birmingham City Council in developing the framework.”

Birmingham City Council leader, Ian Ward, added: “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.”