How we preserve and live our heritage
Birmingham’s heritage is not just preserved — it is lived. It thrives in festivals, faith spaces, street art, and spoken word. From the Handsworth riots to peaceful protests, from mosques in old cinemas to gurdwaras in repurposed halls, the city’s story continues to evolve. It belongs to everyone — shaped by the past, lived in the present, and carried into the future.
Why a heritage strategy matters
Heritage is a tool for regeneration, education, and identity. A strategy helps to ensure that Birmingham’s rich and diverse heritage continues to be protected and promoted, while also contributing to the city’s social, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
Read about the role that Birmingham Conservation and Heritage Panel (BCHP) plays in the development of policies and strategies that affect the city's heritage.
Birmingham Heritage Strategy 2026-2031
We are currently updating the Birmingham Heritage Strategy for 2026–2031. This new framework will set out bold ambitions for how we conserve, engage with, and celebrate the city’s heritage in ways that are inclusive, sustainable, and forward looking.
The strategy will align with:
- Birmingham’s wider goals for housing, community development, cultural engagement, placemaking, and environmental sustainability
- the Public Art Strategy, Cultural Strategy, and Birmingham Development Plan 2031
- regional and national policies
Birmingham Heritage Strategy 2014-2019
The Birmingham Heritage Strategy 2014-2019, developed by the Birmingham Heritage Strategy Group and coordinated by Birmingham Museums Trust, sets out a citywide framework for protecting, promoting, and engaging with Birmingham’s rich and diverse heritage. It recognises heritage as both tangible and intangible – including buildings, collections, natural habitats, and community stories.
The strategy aims to ensure that heritage contributes to the city’s identity, cohesion, education, and economy. It responds to financial challenges by encouraging partnerships, alternative funding, and community involvement, and aligns with Birmingham’s broader cultural and development goals.
Page last updated: 11 March 2026
