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.