4a: Birmingham

Impact of structural economic change

before deindustrialisation: socio-econ characteristics

• industrial hub: workshop of the world → prominent role in Industrial Revolution

• employment: manufacture jobs (BSA), factories + workshops

• income levels: stable middle-income levels, pockets of poverty

before deindustrialisation:demographic characteristics

• population growth: rapid growth due to rural-to-urban migration

• diverse workforce: significant migrants from UK + commonwealth countries

before deindustrialisation: cultural characteristics

• industrial heritage: strong industrial culture → focus on craftsmanship + engineering

• community life: tight-knit communities around factories + local industries

before deindustrialisation: environmental characteristics

• urban environment: dense urban area with industrial landscape

• pollution: high levels of air + water pollution

economic change: deindustrialisation

• decline of manufacturing: 20th century → manufacture decline due to globalisation + tech advancements

• job loss: in manufacture sectors → socio-eco

players involved in Birmingham’s deindustrialisation

• international competition (TNCs + overseas car manufacturers)

• Israel-Arab war (oil crisis, control 40% of world’s oil)

• OPEC (oil prices increase since 2016)

socio-economic impacts of deindustrialisation in areas like Ladywood and Sparkbrook

Unemployment reached 20–30%, with widespread job losses and increased deprivation.

demographic characteristics during deindustrialisation

• outmigration for better job opportunities

• population decline in 1970s-80s

• inner city area derelict and abandoned

cultural characteristics during deindustrialisation

• shifted to the arts, media and entertainment. International Film Festival

• development of cultural venues e.g library of Birmingham

environmental characteristics during deindustrialisation

• factories closed, industrial activity decreased

• derelict land, brownfield sites, poor quality area

• industrial buildings, pollution, waste

• air pollution decreased slightly, high levels of particulate matter bus of traffic

Birmingham’s population change after industrial decline

• A young, educated workforce

• 40% ethnic minority population, large South Asian, Black, and Eastern European communities.

key players helped fund Birmingham’s regeneration

EU funding, central government, HSBC, local councils, and property developers.

socio-economic characteristics regeneration

• heavy industry → service, finance, higher education. Key financial hub

• ex-industrial workers trained for service sector → unemployment 5%

• 1.1M as of 2021

players involved in regeneration

• Major investors (Knighthead, Lendlease, Berkeley Group) deliver landmark developments → £1–3 billion each, generating thousands of jobs.

• Local authorities and mayor secured government grants for transport (metro/tram/HS2), training, and devolution.

• Education & innovation hubs are receiving multi-million-pound public-private investment, supporting high-skill growth sectors.

• Big City Plan and council-led schemes adding jobs, housing, and public space, positioning Birmingham as a premier 21st-century city.