Building a cleaner, greener, fairer Birmingham

Published: Tuesday, 24th November 2020

A new guide for building a cleaner, greener and fairer Birmingham opens today to public consultation for ten weeks.

With a focus on creating healthy places and spaces for people and communities, the draft Birmingham Design Guide aims to shape future development across the city.

And council leader Cllr Ian Ward believes the guide will help shape Birmingham's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing response to climate change.

The draft guide outlines guidance to help steer and maximise the wider gains of development; offering everything from specific guidance on the design of buildings, to the important role of landscape and green infrastructure and the need to support sustainable forms of travel.

Cllr Ward said: "Birmingham is constantly evolving and it's clear that development and investment will play a major role in our recovery from the pandemic, helping us create jobs, build homes and develop a more sustainable city.

"This guide will shape the future of our city and, as we rise to the climate change challenge, we want designers to challenge and innovate at all levels, creating buildings and public spaces that enhance the quality of people’s lives.

"This consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say and I would urge everyone with an interest in a cleaner, greener, fairer and healthier Birmingham to have their say."

Simon Delahunty-Forrest, Interim Assistant Director of Inclusive Growth at Birmingham City Council, said: “The Birmingham Design Guide will become an important tool in helping to realise the future aspirations we all have for our homes, our streets and our city.

The document seeks to ensure good, people focused design is delivered, with health being a key thread that runs through the document: be it the provision of functional, spacious internal and external living environments; the greening of our streets; or the promotion of active travel. We want the guide to help deliver future development that responds to and enhances the health and well-being needs of Birmingham’s citizens.

A 10 week period of public consultation on the Design Guide document will commence today Tuesday 24th November 2020 and finishing at midnight 5th February 2021.

Further information can be found at www.birmingham.gov.uk/designguide

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