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Sustainable Economic Development of Birmingham Essay

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The creation of a strong and sustainable economy in any city requires a numerous variation of factors and a careful balance of strategic policies made by the city council, local planners or other vital participants in the building of a successful urban dynamic. With the dramatic decline of the manufacturing sector in many of Britain’s major cities such as Birmingham, a strong and sustainable economy has almost been out of reach. Unemployment and the great suburban decentralisation of residences have caused the heart of major cities in Britain to suffer and decline economically. The predominant question that must be asked is what policies and strategic priorities regarding Birmingham’s economy can be put in place so that regeneration …show more content…

However this view is not necessarily shared by all. In 2004 James Dyson explained to the BBC that in order for a city to progress it must sustain a manufacturing base instead of moving away from it. He uses the example of a modern day developing country such as china, whose economic progression is enormous, with most of the regards going to their extensive engineering and manufacturing industry. However, if this is applied as the predominant way of generating wealth in Birmingham then this may not be as affective. To begin with, the labour pool is far smaller so to keep up the pace with China may be impossible especially as China have already mastered low-cost production. Also Dyson’s view on industry is extremely idealistic. He states the need to return to manufacturing. He mentions past accomplishments made by Britain in accordance to great engineering feats such as the coal mines. However he fails to acknowledge the simple fact that in Britain’s manufacturing base is in decline whilst the growing industries are, service and the creative sectors. Failure to tenure these industries will end chance of Britain and its major cities such as Birmingham maintaining economic power in the world. There are many possible policies and strategies in which Birmingham can itself put forward to utilise service and creative industries. A suggestion has been put forward by Turok (2005) which is to have more of a creative role in public policy in bringing together different firms

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