News
No Such Thing as a Waste of Space - March 5, 2006
"If planners were designing Birmingham today, would they be bold enough to put Victoria Square and St Philip's Square in the middle of it?" asks Philip Jackson from specialist city centre agents, Maguire Jackson.
"With the benefit of hindsight, everyone can see the value they and other public spaces, such as Centenary Square and BrindleyPlace, add to the city. I don't just mean the increased property values and rentals - those spaces provide a quality of life and they attract tourists as well. "I'd love to see Birmingham take that on board now and embrace the idea of quality public realm, especially squares.
"My concern is that we're being too short-sighted in our eagerness to get cracking with the regeneration process, particularly in inner city areas. We should be looking to provide something for future generations and giving something back to the general public to enjoy.
"We have a marvellous opportunity to replicate the legacies left to us by 18th and 19th century city planners, such as St Paul's Square and Victoria Square. But it will take more than bold planning ? it needs a change of culture in the property world to understand that public space doesn't have to be a waste of space.
"I'm concerned that the new apartment blocks being developed in the city all have internal squares that you can't even glimpse from the street. Turning these apartment blocks ?inside out' and putting spaces around them would be much more beneficial for communities.
"Take Sir Albert Bore's plans suggesting the creation of a gateway around Great Charles Street between the Jewellery Quarter and the core commercial centre of Birmingham. The easy, short-term option would be to make that gateway a road or a series of streets, boasting mixed-use occupancy. The value of properties in that area would undoubtedly increase but there are other options that could add value further.
"Imagine if the two areas were linked by new public realm ? be it a square, a park or a pedestrianised street. it would define the location and give it a real sense of place. I'm convinced the properties in that area would then fetch a premium. And that's a compelling economic argument for the developers who need justification that they're not ?wasting' space.
Maguire Jackson, Leading Letting & Estate Agents in Birmingham City Centre: flats & apartments to rent Birmingham, property to rent Birmingham. Property, flats, apartments, for sale in Birmingham. Commercial property, offices to rent and for sale, Birmingham.
