Investment survey kicks off Birmingham’s MIPIM week

BIRMINGHAM’S sustainability theme for the city’s activities at MIPIM is to be put to the test in a survey of the views of the region’s property community.

Business Birmingham, the inward investment arm of Marketing Birmingham, has unveiled a survey to gauge the deciding factors that underline property investment decisions in the current economic climate.  Issues such as transport will be measured against costs and sustainable green construction credentials.

The survey’s results will be exclusively revealed by TheBusinessDesk.com on Monday, as we kick off our extensive coverage of MIPIM. We have joined forces with Business Birmingham to keep track of the city’s packed programme of events and announcements, with all the major stories reported on our daily news email, as well as our weekly property update.

Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com West Midlands, Marc Reeves, said: “MIPIM is the pivotal point in the property industry’s calendar. After years of incredible, often overheated activity followed by the slump, the event is now seriously focussed on sustainable development, both in terms of environmental impact and economic ambitions.

“I think Birmingham’s team has caught the mood of the moment, and MIPIM will showcase the city’s leadership in this field, which can only benefit the whole region.”

To complete the short Business Birmingham survey, click here.

Birmingham’s packed programme includes debates and showcases to raise the profile of its expertise in delivering efficient, low carbon schemes as the development industry concentrates on keeping costs down but not quality.

Cllr Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This year’s events programme has been carefully prepared to demonstrate that Birmingham leads the agenda on innovative and sustainable city planning, and therefore delivering on its vision for the future.   
 
“We will be showcasing the city’s low carbon plans to influential investors and senior decision-makers at a variety of events where they will be able to meet some of Birmingham’s leading companies.”

The programme involves 14 events and over 20 speakers across the four-day property show, which takes place in Canne between March 8 and 11.

Events will cover zero-carbon city-planning, improving digital and physical connectivity and delivering iconic projects in a challenging economy.
 
Key figures participating in the programme include: David Adams, Head of Retrofit at Willmott Dixon; Gary Taylor, Managing Director of property development company Argent Group; Simon Dingle, Operations Director at support services company Carillion and Bo Aronsson, Project Manager for RiverCity Gothenburg, part of the Swedish city’s 2050 development plan.  

Cllr Whitby will be participating in a panel debate within the main conference programme on ‘Making Regeneration Happen in the UK’ alongside figures from Manchester and Leeds as well as leading a series of events on Birmingham’s Decade of Delivery.

The events will take place at Birmingham’s MIPIM stand, R27.09, as well as other venues within the city.