URBANITY
SH A K Y
Sofina Hayfa Amber Kate
Yan
U
Urban Landscape. What defines an urban landscape in Birmingham? Birmingham is a big city and is known for its attractions. City centre bullring is one of well known landscapes in Birmingham and has been here since 2003. It recently had its 10th birthday and held several events for the public. Events that took place were a fashion show hosted by Mollie king, The Saturdays performing live and a Cadbury world chocolate model on the new city. The cathedral in City centre is a place the public and tourists like to visit and take in the beauty. The cathedral is a popular venue and more importantly it is a living Christian centre bringing culture within the city centre. Brindley place is another beautiful landscape with the urban feel to it. It is placed near the National Indoor Arena which is famous for events and concerts. With the canal located next to it creates a clam to it and defiantly an urban landscape to the public and tourists. Birmingham on a whole is an urban landscape it is a place to be with family, friends and perfect for all the tourists.
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Retail & Recruitme. In terms of recruitment in Birmingham, the city itself attracts a high number manufacturers and engineers to seek work here, as this industry is and has always been important to the second largest city in the UK. Birmingham employ over 100,000 into the industry which also contributes billions to the national economy, and has also been ranked as the second most livable city in the country due to its well growing economy. Birmingham is also famous for its jewelry quarter; this is made up of the largest concentration of dedicated jewelers in Europe. A whole third of jewelry manufactured in England is within one mile of Birmingham city center. Also up until 2003 coins that were in circulation were also manufactured in the jewelry quarter. In recent years of British economy, manufacturing in Birmingham has declined in importance since around the 1970’s, but in recent years Birmingham has assorted into service industries, retail and tourism, which are now the main employers in the city. There also becomes a problem when the labor skills people obtain do not match that of job vacancies available. Jobs that are involved in both the tourist and services sectors are expected to grow by around 50,000 in the next ten years. Birmingham is home to one of the largest shopping centers in the UK the Bull ring, and is the most visited retail destination outside of London. The Bull ring is actually the busiest retail center in the UK attracting 36.5 million visitors in its first year; the retail sector makes up a large portion of the city’s economy.
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Birmingham also has a selection of other retail facilities in around the city such as the Mail box, The Pavilions, even The Custard factory poses as a vintage fair on selected occasions. The Mailbox is an upmarket shopping and business development and also home to BBC Birmingham. The Mailbox is about 300 metres long from front to back including The Cube. Above the front of the shops it has a huge additional 6 floors which include hotels and apartments! The Worcester and Birmingham canal runs along the back with a variety of restaurants overlooking the pretty view.
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Brindley Place. Brindley place has been named after the 18th century canal engineer James Brindley. It has been growing since 1993 and onwards. Brindley place is an architectural landmark which has been built around three striking public squares such as Brunswick, Central and Oozells. As well as that it includes The Water’s Edge, The Crescent Theatre, National sea life Centre and it is near Symphony Court. The main line of the canal separates Brindley place from the International Convention Centre, however they do have a bridge joining together. Brindley place is located near the ikon gallery. The ikon gallery features several types of media which is sound, photography and film. There are other areas that can be accessed within walking distance, such as National Indoor Arena, Old Turn Junction, broad street bars and buses and train routes. Brindley Place is an attractive district in Birmingham and is becoming extremely popular along the way.
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Abandoned Buildings. Abandoned buildings a place of ruins and derelict or a place of purpose? Could these buildings be put to use? These Buildings could be used as an art form for the public, it’s ways where the artist are able to express themselves in art form and is used in a place where it put to good use. However as a majority of the public class graffiti as tacky it actually can be seen as some sort of art form depending on how it is created. However with the building it could be seen as a risk due to it being unstable, but routine checks and making sure it is safe and keeping these buildings in good condition would be for the best. If buildings are not put to any use why not demolish it where the land can be used for something the public can actually use. On the other hand these abandoned building are used to create mystery. The public seem to go there to experience a rundown building creating excitement. The buildings are used in photography a lot to create a haunted sense which is another advantage why the place has a purpose. So the question is could theses abandoned buildings be used for a purpose?
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Night Life. Broad Street to the Mailbox you will never be disappointed when looking for a good night out. Nightlife in Broad Street, boasting over 40 bars, clubs and restaurants. This is an ideal place to be if you’re looking for something in particular as it truly has something for anyone. If you want to take a step away from the bustling and lively streets venture into the stylish Mailbox or the vibrant Arcadian. The Mailbox bars and restaurants are much more expensive than the Broad Street, with a slightly older cliental as well. The Arcadian is defiantly the more alternative area with a more relaxed theme. The bar tend to be smaller than those on the Broad Street but gives a very relaxed feel to them. If you’re looking to listen to your music live there are a variety of venues and bars available, whether its pop, rock classical, opera, or jazz. Bars such as Scruffy Murphy’s, Hare and Hounds, Custard Factory, Island Bar, and the HMV institute showcase the new pop and rock music scene. Most Classical and Jazz music is held in the Symphony Hall.
No matter what your tastes are there’s a place to go in Birmingham!
9-10
Information.
Have you been in the new library? The Library of Birmingham is located in Broad Street, near Victoria Square, which replaced Birmingham’s Central Library on the 3rd of September, 2013. The formal opening was conducted by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani school girl who survived a Taliban assassination attempt. Birmingham’s new library has been described as the largest in Europe. The construction began in January, 2010, and was completed in April, 2013. The building has 11 floors - 10 over ground, one below. The height of the building is 60 metres (200 ft). The building is complete with an amphitheatre, gardens and hundreds of thousands of books. I’ve been in the gardens quite a few times, particularly the one on the 7th floor, and from my experience they were both very chilled and had good views of the city. Being in the garden feels like freedom given the buildings grandeur and the busyness, practically on Saturdays. The library has a wide range of photography books. Ones I last looked at were based on photos taken in America, and portraits of children. There is a cafe on the ground floor which is quite relaxing; there’s plenty of light shining in, the seating is comfy, and the prices of the food and drink are reasonable. The cafe is sometimes busy, sometimes quiet. The food there is just quick snacks. The library’s opening times are 8am until 8pm on Monday to Friday; 9am until 5pm on Saturday, and 11am until 4pm on Sunday.
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11-12
Taste.
Broad Street to the Mailbox you will never be disappointed when looking for a good night out. Nightlife in Broad Street, boasting over 40 bars, clubs and restaurants. This is an ideal place to be if you’re looking for something in particular as it truly has something for anyone. If you want to take a step away from the bustling and lively streets venture into the stylish Mailbox or the vibrant Arcadian. The Mailbox bars and restaurants are much more expensive than the Broad Street, with a slightly older cliental as well. The Arcadian is defiantly the more alternative area with a more relaxed theme. The bar tend to be smaller than those on the Broad Street but gives a very relaxed feel to them. If you’re looking to listen to your music live there are a variety of venues and bars available, whether its pop, rock classical, opera, or jazz. Bars such as Scruffy Murphy’s, Hare and Hounds, Custard Factory, Island Bar, and the HMV institute showcase the new pop and rock music scene. Most Classical and Jazz music is held in the Symphony Hall.
No matter what your tastes are there’s a place to go in Birmingham! 13-14
should visit Birmingham!
15-16
SH A KY
Sofina Hayfa Amber Kate
URBANITY
Yan