Birmingham receives global recognition

Jun 26 2008 By Neil Elkes

BIRMINGHAM’S city centre has achieved global recognition after beating entries from Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Genoa to an international regeneration award.

The Big City Plan, the masterplan which will guide city centre development for the next 20 years, scooped the prestigious BEX 2008 international awards held in Valencia, Spain.

The plan was short-listed in the master planning category alongside a 25-year plan for Abu Dhabi, the man-made Marina Bay in Singapore, and La Spezia Waterfr,ont, in Genoa.

City regeneration chief Coun Neville Summerfield (Con, Brandwood) hailed the accolade as a major boost for Birmingham.

“Simply to be on the short-list for such a prestigious award was a great achievement, so to win it is amazing and recognition of the scale and groundbreaking scope which the Big City Plan is seeking to address.

“While Birmingham has long been at the forefront of regeneration innovation in the UK, projects such as the Big City Plan, New Street Gateway and £193 million Library of Birmingham are increasingly making the rest of the world sit up, take notice, and want to do business with us.”

Being developed by leading urban planners, Urban Initiatives, The Big City Plan is the single biggest master planning exercise ever undertaken in the UK, and amongst the biggest in the world.

It will shape development within the inner ring road until 2028.