Structural Economic Change in Birmingham

Birmingham

Second largest UK city with 1.15 million residents.

Industrial Revolution

Period of rapid industrial growth in Birmingham beginning in the 18th century

Soho Manufactory

First and largest factory in Birmingham established by Matthew Boulton in 1761, which employed 700 workers.

Matthew Boulton

Entrepreneur who advanced Birmingham's industrial base.

Bournville

Cadbury's model village for factory workers. Prioritised the health and wellbeing of workers through 100 acres of parkland and green space, a swimming pool, boating lakes, and football pitches.

Black Country

Region supplying raw materials for Birmingham's industries.

Electro-plating

Process first used in Birmingham for metal finishing.

Pneumatic tyre

Innovative product developed in Birmingham in the Dunlop Factory.

Steam engines

Revolutionized by Boulton and Watt's partnership.

Radar development

Pioneering work conducted in Birmingham during WWII.

Lloyds Bank

Founded in Birmingham, significant financial institution.

Midland Railway

Opened in 1838, enhancing Birmingham's transport. Connected the London mainline with the national canal network.

Population growth

Increased to 15,000 by early 1700s.

Market charter

Granted to de Bermingham family in 1166.

Metal-working trades

Established in Birmingham, leading to industrial growth.

Socio-economic housing

Differentiated areas based on residents' economic status.

Gun industry

One of Birmingham's dominant manufacturing sectors.

Jewellery industry

Significant contributor to Birmingham's economic landscape.

Brass industry

Key sector in Birmingham's industrial development.

Canal network

Birmingham's transport system supporting industrial growth.

Medical X-ray

First taken in Birmingham in 1896.

British patents

Majority originated within 50 km of Birmingham.

Manufactured exports

25% of UK's exports come from Birmingham.

Dunlop Tyre Company

Founded in 1917, employed 10,000 by 1950s.

Bakelite

First synthetic plastic, manufactured in Birmingham.

Great Depression

Birmingham survived due to diverse industries.

Population Growth

Driven by natural increase and immigration.

Terraced Housing

Built for workers, densely packed near factories.

Middle Class

Afforded commuting, driving urban expansion.

Transport Innovations

Trams, railways, buses facilitated urban growth.

Central Business District

Core area of economic activity in Birmingham.

Ethnic Origin

Predominantly white until the 1950s.

Skilled Jobs

60% of males employed as skilled workers.

Inter-war Suburbs

Areas like Northfield and Marston Green featured semi-detached housing.

Local Authority Housing

Kingstanding had largest local authority housing estate in Birmingham.

Inner City Housing

High-density, poor-quality housing in Aston, Handsworth.

Air Pollution

High levels, minimal emission controls pre-1950s.

Industrial Decline

Unemployment rose to 19.4% by 1982.

Employment Structure Change

Dramatic shifts from 1978 to 2000.

Energy and Water Employment

Fell from 1.0% in 1978 to 0.2% in 2000.

Metal Goods Employment

Dropped from 28.4% in 1978 to 5.8% in 2000.

Distribution and Catering

Increased from 15.7% to 19.8% between 1978-2000.

Finance and Business Services

Rose from 7.3% to 21.4% from 1978 to 2000.

Car Ownership Levels

Percentage of households with cars increased 1970-2010.

Oil Crisis of 1973

Significant event causing global recession.

OPEC

Organization using oil supplies as geopolitical weapon.

Oil Crisis

1970s event disrupting global economic assumptions.

TNCs

Transnational corporations competing with local industries.

British Vehicle Industry

Declining sector despite rising car ownership.

Japanese Car Manufacturers

Gained market share with reliable vehicles.

Foreign Investment

Investment attracted to regions with economic issues due to government subsidies, such as Kia factory in Sunderland.

Labour Relations

Frequent strikes affecting industry attractiveness.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Local businesses struggling with redevelopment challenges.

Slum Clearance Programme

Local authority initiative demolishing substandard housing.

Post-war Housing Need

110,000 substandard houses in Birmingham post-WWII. By 1970, 81,000 new houses has been constructed.

Tower Blocks

400 built in 1950s and 1960s for housing.

Residential Land-use Redistribution

People relocated from central zones to outskirts, e.g. Castle Vale to the Northeast or Redditch to the South.

Service-oriented Economy

Shift leading to increased commuter flows into the city centre from the suburbs.

Green Belt

Area restricting urban expansion around Birmingham.

Land Value Increase

Adjacent land prices rose near green belt, especially in places with principle road and rail connections (e.g. Solihull and Knowle)

International In-migration

Significant immigrant influx from Caribbean and Asia. Immigrants clustered in high-density inner-city suburbs, where housing was cheap and there was easy access to employment.

Religious buildings

Mosques and temples were built to support the cosmopolitan population.

Shops and services for immigrants

Ethnic clothing, food fabric shops were owned by immigrants, and financial services such as foreign banks opened so that migrants could remit incomes back home.

Balti Triangle

Area in Birmingham known for Balti houses: during the 1990s there were over 30 Balti houses. Includes suburbs such as Sparkhill, Balsall Heath and Moseley. It is a large migrant community which have predominantly ethnic retailers, resturaunts and services.

New Towns

Developments like Redditch for relocated residents.

Birmingham Manufacturing Decline

Globalisation facilitated easy trade through containerisation, and goods were comparatively cheaper to import than to produce domestically. Decline in Black Country mineral extraction further increased the cost of production and made local industries less competitive, causing the closure of factories.

Government Grants

Financial incentives to attract foreign manufacturers.

Economic Structure Shift

Change in economy influenced by oil crisis.

Commuter Flows

Increased movement from suburbs to city center.

Local Authority Housing Initiatives

Efforts to improve housing conditions post-war.

Demographic Changes

Population shifts due to economic and housing policies.

White British

Largest ethnic group in Birmingham, 53.1%.

Pakistani

Second largest group, 13.5% of population.

Indian

Third largest ethnic group, 6.0% in Birmingham.

White Other

4.8% of Birmingham's population, diverse origins.

Caribbean

4.4% of Birmingham's population, significant cultural presence.

Mixed

4.4% of population, reflects diverse backgrounds.

Bangladeshi

3.0% of Birmingham's population, notable community.

African

2.8% of Birmingham's population, growing demographic.

Chinese

1.2% of Birmingham's population, small but significant.

Other Ethnic Groups

6.7% of population, includes various minorities.

Youthful Population

38% are 24 years or younger in Birmingham.

Elderly Population

13% over 65 years old in Birmingham.

Regeneration

Efforts to modernize Birmingham post-industrial decline.

Local Government Role

Promotes investment and development in Birmingham.

National Exhibition Centre (NEC)

Key venue attracting international conferences to Birmingham.

Birmingham International Airport

Expanded to enhance international accessibility.

City Challenge

National scheme for urban redevelopment funding.

Birmingham Heartlands Development Corporation

Established in 1992 for industrial area regeneration such as Nechells.

New Deal for Communities (NDCs)

Provided broadband access, work experience opportunities and training for employment in inner city.

City council European and International Affairs (EIA) team

Secured £235 million funding from the EU Social Investment Fund and seek to promote Birmingham to investors outside of the UK.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Funds projects like housing insulation improvements in deprived run-down boroughs and building small premises for start-up SMEs.

Centenary Square (Flagship)

Public space developed to enhance city centre. Hosts Winter Wonderland Christmas markets and other city events.

Victoria Square (Flagship)

Refurbished area with public art and water cascade, opposite Birmingham Town Hall.

International Convention Centre (Flagship)

Opened in 1991, funded partly by the EU (£49.7 million).

Symphony Hall (Flagship)

Home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Hosts over 270 events per year due to its stunning acoustics (the 7th best in the world). The Symphony Hall has charitable status, working with schools, community groups and families to provide music opportunities to marginalised/low-income groups and upcoming local artists.

Utilita Arena (Flagship)

Venue for major sporting and music events, e.g. World Championships, Sabrina Carpenter concert

Combined Student Population

Birmingham's universities host around 50,000 students.

Post-Industrial City

Birmingham focuses on improving service provision.

Bullring Redevelopment

Europe's first major indoor shopping centre, refurbished. Annual footfall of 37 million.