Birmingham’s Economy and Place Strategy
The Economy and Place Strategy is a strategic framework that seeks to unlock future economic growth and enable sustainable and connected communities, and high-quality, liveable neighbourhoods.
Download the Economy and Place Strategy
Opportunity for Birmingham
There are strong foundations on which to build. Birmingham’s economy grew by £1bn (2.7%) from 2022 to 2023 (these are the latest figures available).
Our city has attracted consistent high levels of inward investment and is second in the UK for new business start-ups. There is £6bn in untapped economic output if the productivity of the city matches similar European cities.
The city has excellent universities with 20,000 graduates a year, which are part of the talent pipeline. Birmingham is at the heart of the country’s transport networks, and with global links too through the Birmingham International Airport.
There are significant development schemes in the city which could deliver 100,000 good quality jobs, increase opportunities for local businesses, bring forward tens of thousands of homes to meet the city’s needs and connect more people to the Birmingham economy.
Key spatial economic growth area
The strategy focuses on creating economic growth over the next three to five years. It includes a major development area that is the largest in the country, featuring important housing and development projects.
These projects will stretch from the city centre, through East Birmingham, and into Solihull. This area is called the 'Birmingham to North Solihull Gateway'.
Key areas include:
- Sports Quarter and the new Birmingham City Football Club stadium
- Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, an innovation cluster for medical technologies
- Digbeth Creative Quarter
- City centre Smithfield scheme
The strategy also covers the regeneration of Ladywood and Druids Heath, as well as the Langley National Housing Accelerator Scheme.
While transport infrastructure is outlined in the Transport Plan, this strategy introduces new funding for active travel and highlights the growing need for digital infrastructure to support the city’s future.
Employment
The strategy aims to improve access to jobs and reduce unemployment. Enabling access to upcoming jobs and skills will help people to move into work and progress in their careers, supporting higher incomes for our households and a thriving economy.
Local centres, culture, energy networks and transport
Further areas of the strategy outline local investment in local high streets and centres, supporting the cultural life of the city, bringing forward key transport schemes and enhancements such as the extension to the Metro, rail and bus improvements.
We will be delivering on housing retrofits to upgrade homes for energy efficiency and seeking investment in building our energy networks, which could provide a key part of the city's heat demand.
Economic evidence and sector opportunities
There is an overview of the economic evidence base, including the city’s growth potential in industrial strategy sectors such as medical technologies, clean energy systems, creative industries, and business and financial services.
Delivering the city vision
The strategy aligns with the Birmingham 2035 City Vision, brought together with citizens and partners across the city. One of the city's missions is achieving inclusive economic growth where all people and parts of the city benefit from opportunities, and this is what the strategy seeks to deliver.
It also links to the West Midlands Growth Plan and draws on existing council strategies and plans, such as the Our Future City Central Area Framework, which seeks to connect the city centre and the inner city and the Birmingham Local Plan.
The West Midlands Combined Authority receives devolved funding, which is then passed on to local authorities to spend on local priorities. The strategy explains how Birmingham plans to use this funding.
Partnerships
The strategy is not just about what the council but the contributions of partners, such as universities in the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and Tyseley Green Energy Innovation District and the role of the WMCA, NHS, businesses and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations who provide such vital leadership, growth opportunities, services and support, often in areas that most need them right across the city.
Learn more
The city is not standing still. It is a place of opportunity that is growing, evolving and taking shape, and the strategy will be regularly updated to reflect this.
For more updates on growth, the economy, and new developments across the city, explore our new site, Growth in Brum.
Page last updated: 4 November 2025
