Throughout history, Birmingham has produced goods, ideas and technological advances which have proved vital to economic growth, most notably as a key centre of the Industrial Revolution.

Birmingham’s ability to generate agglomeration economies (the benefits from locating in denser urban environments) has been crucial to its success. These agglomeration benefits have been facilitated primarily by the city’s population – the wider West Midlands urban area is the third largest in the country, with a population of nearly 2.6 million in 2023. And a host of activity is brought to the city by its central location within the country, less than 100 miles from London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Cardiff.

A new wave of infrastructure funding offers an opportunity to once again drive prosperity. Improved connectivity will make a range of uses viable in new locations, both in the centre of the city, and also throughout the suburban spokes of the train and tram network. To maximise this opportunity, Birmingham must offer a built environment which attracts and retains both skilled individuals and growing businesses.

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