Birmingham: from municipal enterprise to big city bluster

The Birmingham motto ‘Forward’ is perhaps the most appropriate of any city in Britain. It defines both its progressive trajectory and too often negligent approach to history. Since the eighteenth century Birmingham was often considered open, tolerant, dynamic, socially mobile, commercial and successful. By the late nineteenth century these forces created a pioneering city of municipal enterprise, educational reform and fair trade. Hubris followed in the form of Manzoni’s destructive inner ring road, although the work of local architect John Madin represented the potential of modernist Birmingham. Since the economic shocks of the 1980s the city has reasserted itself. Victoria Square, Brindley Place, Eastside City Park and the Custard Factory represent the most considered and detailed schemes of the last thirty years. Whereas Grand Central, Aston University and The Lighthouse display only scale and bluste