The legacy of Birmingham 2022
The Commonwealth Games is a once-in-a-generation chance to harness the power of sport for the common good of the Midlands. Birmingham 2022 will showcase the city and wider region to the world. It is a great opportunity to ensure we are fast out of the blocks after the pandemic, with tourism, trade and investment, and sustainability all key parts of the Commonwealth Games.
Ian MacLeod, Director for Planning, Transport & Sustainability at Birmingham City Council
To delve into the legacy of what the Commonwealth Games will leave the region, our managing director Alex Turner spoke to Ian MacLeod the Director for Planning, Transport & Sustainability at Birmingham City Council.
MacLeod discussed the games as a real chance to showcase the region on a global stage of 1.5bn spectators.
He said: “What we’re looking now from the games is how to maximise the economic benefits to the city.
“A lot of our plans are focusing on how we can bring the benefits of growth in the city centre and some of our inner-city areas where we have still got high levels of deprivation and unemployment.
“Through the business and tourism programme that we’ve got coming through and some of the big regeneration schemes that we’ve got coming forward, we are creating new employment opportunities and providing thousands of new homes for Birmingham residents. We very much want to deliver on the principles of a green clean city.”
One major regeneration project is the Perry Barr residential scheme. Before Covid, this scheme would have been used as the athlete’s village, however, it wasn’t possible to get it ready in time for the games.
“We are going straight to legacy mode with the houses now being fitted out for an open market sale. The sale process now will begin with the first residents moving in, in early 2023.
“We’ve also got planning consent in the wider area for nearly a further 2500 homes and there is the potential through the Perry Barr 2014 master plan is a further 5000 homes in that wider area.
“The games have really been a kickstart for the regeneration of Perry Barr, with significant public sector investment of over £750m. I think you’re going to really see that area continue to transform in the years after the games.”
In addition to delivering homes, MacLeod says the residential development needs to be supported by links to education, sports facilities and green spaces.
But other than that, the games are an opportunity to show the world what Birmingham can do.
“What we want is for Birmingham to really become a world leader in hosting international events. The tourism programme and the business programmes supporting the Commonwealth Games are critical aspects of this and we’re really keen that the government and other partners maximise that longer-term economic legacy.”
