Birmingham

• Location

  Birmingham is in the West Midlands in central UK
• national importance (3)


  • It has 5 universities which means young people move there to study in order to get higher skilled jobs.
  • It has multiple train stations including grand central that links Birmingham with major cities around the country and Midlands.
  • It has many cultural attractions including the NEC arena and the Symphony Hall where people travel from all over the UK to visit and enjoy music, theatre and events.
• international importance


  • It has cultural diversity from post colonial migration from countries such as India and Jamaica. This has led to the development of new foods and areas such as the Balti Triangle where the curry was first created.
  • It is home to the largest African, Asian and Caribbean arts centre in the UK which enriches the well-being of people in Birmingham.
• Urban inequality


  Difference in living standards between inner city and outskirts of a city
• Inner city is more deprived than outskirts

  People in inner city have limited access to services
• Soho unemployment rate is 22.6% and city average is 11.7%
• Soho's education and healthcare is in 5% of the most deprived in England
• Sutton Four Oaks has 4.2% unemployment and is one of the least deprived wards in Birmingham
• Why does Birmingham have inequality? (3)

  • Some areas have previously had a lack of investment which means the area becomes more deprived as no money is being invested to improve healthcare, transport, housing, education and more.
  • Unemployment rates means the people who live there have little disposable income so they do not spend money in the local area so businesses cannot invest the money to improve the area.
  • Birmingham is surrounded by green belt land so it cannot grow or expand to cope with the growing population and they cannot provide the bigger and better quality housing.
• Housing issues in Birmingham (social)

  • No double glazing on windows encourages mould growth and can lead to respiratory problems like asthma
  • If not managed correctly this can lead to time off work or school resulting in lower employment opportunities and poorer wages
  • No gardens for children to play leading to poor health through a lack of exercise and a poor quality of life
  • Lack of street lighting leading to long dark corridors considered dangerous and can lead to crime
  • People can then be too scared to leave the house for work or school
• Solutions to housing issues in Birmingham (social)

  1. Tower blocks investment programme led to them being painted and fitted with double glazed windows and doors to prevent damp

  2. New houses being built on brownfield sites, easier and cheaper as gas, water and electricity pipes have already been set up

  3. 4000 new homes proposed to be built on the rural urban fringe between Birmingham international and Coventry, meaning homes are built with gardens but habitats are being destroyed
• Social issues in birmingham: shopping & culture

  • Disabled Access: No facilities for disabled access.
  • Crime Rates: High crime rates deterred shoppers.
  • Economic Impact: Negative multiplier effect. Shops made very little money, leading to closures, Fewer shoppers led to more closures.
  • Cultural Impact: Low disposable income limited cultural entertainment options. Resulted in less cultural spread and increased racial tension.
• social improvements: shopping and culture

  • Bullring Renovation: Investment: £500 million. Improvements: Over 140 shops, disabled access, enhanced security. Outcome: Increased community well-being by 20%.
  • Cultural Entertainment in Birmingham: Venues: NEC (National Exhibition Centre), Symphony Hall. Event: Hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Impact: Enhanced cultural entertainment and community engagement.
• Silicon Canal


  Quaternary sector
• Silicon Canal


  • Over 36,000 jobs in research and development
  • Companies like Poikos, inventor of a globally sold body scanner
  • Average salaries of £43,000, above the national average
• Custard Factory


  Service and quaternary sectors
• Custard Factory


  • Over 400 creative and digital positions
  • Affordable rent for startups
  • Mini golf and gigs, boosting tourism and multiculturalism
• Paradise Birmingham


  Service and quaternary sectors
• Paradise Birmingham


  • Large-scale regeneration with modern offices, cafes, and hotels
  • Increased employment and tourism, further boosting the economy
• Environmental problems in Birmingham (3)

  • Traffic Congestion:
  • Pollution: 70% of roads exceed EU limits for nitrous oxide.
  • Car Journeys: 25% of journeys under 2 miles are made by car.
  • Waste Management:
  • Recycling: Only 26% of household waste is recycled.
  • Landfill Impact: Leaching into rivers and water sources during rain.
  • Population Growth and Urban Sprawl:
  • Projected Growth: Population increase of 150,000 by 2031.
  • Housing Demand: Need for over 45,000 new homes.
  • Environmental Impact: Habitat loss, deforestation, and loss of natural flood plains.
• Urban Greening


  • Retrofitting old buildings and adding green spaces
  • Acts as carbon sinks, reduces CO2, and provides habitats
• Urban Greening

  • Birmingham Library
• Let's Get Moving Campaign

  1. Encourage walking or cycling for journeys under 2 miles

  2. Reduces traffic and air pollution
• Hybrid Buses


  • 130 hybrid buses
  • Increases public transport use and reduces CO2 emissions with electric energy
• Waste Management


  • Aim to recycle 70% of household waste by 2030
  • Using food waste to create biofuel and biogas
  • Potential revenue from selling the produced energy