Sunday 17 June 2007

An Underappreciated City


If you look at a list of places of natural beauty in the dear old UK, Birmingham will not be on that list.

Londoners look down on Brummies, but then Londoners look down on any city outside London. Northerners don't like Brummies much either, associating Birmingham with the greater prosperity of the south.

Birmingham is Britain's second city, home to a million people. Aside from London, it is the only major city outside the north, and as such, it is unique. Like all Britain's former industrial cities, the remains of the past can be seen- especially around Digbeth and Deritend, the archaeological remains almost, of the Workshop of the World.

But Birmingham has transformed in a way Northern cities have been slower to do. Partly this is because the Midlands ARE closer to the south of England in terms of lifestyle, affluence and outlook. Birmingham is often called the city of the motor car, and it is geared to the motorist in a way no other city in Britain is. It is only in Brum you can see the likes of Spaghetti Junction. Some say this contributes to the city's soullessness, that it is a city where people come second.
But it is part of what the city is.


I do like some of the northern cities. The centre of Manchester is fast becoming one of the nicest in Britain. Sheffield too has a friendly feel.
Birmingham, on the other hand, will never be pretty. It is the city in the UK with the least open spaces in its Centre.

But if you really want to see a vision of exactly what a stunningly beautiful array of glass and concrete should be, just approach the centre of Birmingham from the north, coming down the Aston Expressway. Just take a look at the Mailbox, or Millenium Point. These show the world that Birmingham is still a great city.



I won't comment on the monstrosity that is the new Selfridge's.

Amongst other lesser known facts about Birmingham, it is the city in the world with the most miles of canals- easily exceeding Venice.

The other thing that people often think about Brum, is that is a city of ethnic tension and gun crime.
I would be lying if I said that both of these don't exist in Birmingham. Aston, Nechells and Washwood Heath are pretty much no go areas if you have any sense. But these aren't actually the areas of greatest ethnic mix. Small Heath, Sparkhill and Selly Oak are great places to live- and get a great balti- as long as you respect other cultures. Bearing in mind that Birmingham is only 53% white, I think Brummies do a very good job in leading the way in race relations.

Those who say Birmingham has no soul, merely mean that they have never let Birmingham in. The inner beauty of this city does not stare you in the face.

But as an example of how a million people can live together and make their common home work, Birmingham acquits itself very well indeed.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have chosen Birmingham fo rmy holidays this year on your advice!! If it is horrible I shall blame you...

Anonymous said...

I would like to know where Birmingham got its name from. do you know that, Ingsoc? I can't find it on google...

Anonymous said...

Ha! I found it!

The name 'Birmingham' comes from "Beorma ingas ham", meaning "home of the people of Beorma." Birmingham was first recorded in written documents by the Domesday Book of 1086 as a small village, worth only 20 shillings.

now i can rest.

Anonymous said...

A wonderful paean of praise to Birmingham- by the way I'd include Leeds in your cities rebuilding in the north- its financial district I think is second only to London. But Birmingham is an interesting town- I must go there and properly explore- I have only been once to see Aston Villa play Leeds which was an interesting experience- but my brother's girlfriend is a Brummie and from what she says it is reviving.

Anonymous said...

How interesting! I never knew a thing about Birmingham until today...

Anonymous said...

Mutley- I'm not sure if Birmingham is necessarily a good tourist destination. But for nightlife and shopping, you can't go wrong.

JJ- Were it that simple. To confuse the issue, we have the old spelling 'Brummagem', whence Brum and Brummie. At some time it seems to have been called Bromwich- note West Bromwich, Castle Bromwich and Little Bromwich.

Gracchi- You could be right, I don't know too much about Leeds. I think it's fair to point out, that on this blog Aston Villa is considered foul language however. we support another team...
A blue one...

Ruthie- You don't seem impressed by this fair city :)

Anonymous said...

If you look closely, you'll find beauty in the least expected places!

Great blog!

Anonymous said...

"We love you Birmingham we do"

Anonymous said...

Elder Son went to Birmingham uni. He lived in Selly Oak after his first year, and he was happy there.

He was in the student village for the first year. It was demolished the year after. He did get a bullet (ok, air pellet) hole in his window, and some 'debt-collectors' came calling for the previous tenants .... But he enjoyed it!

Anonymous said...

Sounds bloody awful,noisy and congested.I would rather stay in my part of the world where we have winding lanes,trees and grass, birds and bloody peace and quiet!

Anonymous said...

Heart of Darkness- You take a look at Chamberlain Square, it matches any continental Plaza.
Any place the size of Brum has pros and cons, but I think the city has more on the pro side than people realise.

Jeremy- That's the spirit! We love you too!

Liz- Hell, that's life in any city!
Selly Oak is very much student town these days. The good thing about South Birmingham, is that the gang warfare that characteristics North Birmingham is absent.

Freya- There are birds in Pidgeon park. Lanes? Steelhouse Lane? Green Lane? We have lanes...

Anonymous said...

I've never been there. I can't imagine living in a place so far from open country and the sea, i think i'd feel suffocated.

Anonymous said...

Never been there!

But at some point, I will travel there before I get too old to fly!

I had a great time when I was in your country, partied hard and was well received by everyone there.

Anonymous said...

Nice post and very informative. I haven't been to Birmingham since the 80s! Well done for pointing out the good things about it - it needs you!