A design and engineering consultancy has been appointed to develop the next phase of planned development work in Birmingham over the next two decades.
Dutch outfit Arcadis has won the brief to work with the city council our 'Our Future City Plan' which will examine how Birmingham will grow and develop up to 2040.
Our Future City Plan was informed by a consultation held last year and follows on from the much-heralded Big City Plan, launched in 2010.
The Big City Plan identified key transformation areas and quarters aimed at guiding developers and investors and outlining the city's ambitions.
But the council said it now recognised the world continued to change therefore the next phase of the Our Future City Plan would be essential for supporting the ongoing evolution of the city.
The next phase will encompass the development of proposals setting out the ambitions for seven areas identified for renewal in Birmingham, based around themes such as promoting economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Arcadis will be responsible as lead consultant, working with partners such as Birmingham-based Glancy Nicholls Architects and Glenn Howells Architects and consultancy PJA, Turley, Knight Frank, JLL and CRTKL.
Our Future City Plan will be developed alongside a revised Birmingham Development Plan which is due to be completed this year.
Council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: "This is a golden decade for Birmingham. The opportunities presented by HS2, expansion of the West Midlands Metro and the Commonwealth Games, the city will continue to be a major regional, national hub and centre for international investment.
"As the main centre of development activity in our city over the last 30 years, investment in the city centre has provided jobs, homes, improvements to sustainable transport, new cultural destinations and educational opportunities.
"This plan marks a major change from previous approaches to the city centre, with a clear intention to spread the benefits of development and investment into inner city areas, supporting access to infrastructure, jobs and improved public spaces."
Simon Marks, city executive for Birmingham with Arcadis, added: "Birmingham is on an exciting journey and, over the last decade, we've seen how new challenges and opportunities are impacting the shape of our city.
"From climate change and the digital revolution, to urban mobility and changing retail distribution patterns, and of course the need to drive the post-covid recovery, we are seeing irreversible changes to the way we live, work, play and learn in Birmingham.
"Our Future City Plan will be integral to addressing these needs and we are privileged to be supporting Birmingham City Council in developing the Framework."
