Report #1
Industrial belts like Digbeth that were once the guts of our nation, now lie in states of limbo as Government and private developers grapple with the complexities of regenerating spaces and local identities.
Investment should not disregard existing ways and means of living and would be advised to support rather than engulf active communities. Realistic planning benefits from grass-roots intervention as the professional consultation process remains disconnected from communities and isolates individuals.
Walking, talking and standing still are important to the outcome of my work and in the influence we have on the fabric of our communities - finding commonality and sharing experience reliant on our contact. Today’s pace of life often leads us to forget the power of a smile or spoken word.
Development of up-market residential zones and the expansion of all considered ‘Creative’ and ‘Cultural’ threaten the growth of independent economies outside these sectors- loud and lively elements discouraged in favour of appropriated art. Digbeth High Street seemingly split down the middle into a ‘Creative side of the street’ and a potential residential zone. The suppression of popular entertainment and activities will only extinguish the vibrancy that already exists.
As an artist I should be rubbing my hands together. Instead I am concerned that yet again the activities of an existing working community will be disregarded in favour of preferred bourgeois lifestyle options. The research and outreach in Digbeth will focus on the workers of the area. Responding to current debate and the predominant issues surrounding the invention of a place called Eastside. (RHR April 2008)
June 19th, 2008 at 8:11 am
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June 19th, 2008 at 7:55 am
[…] be back on track very soon, with your tasty tips (thank you!), Ruth’s next installment of her reports on Birmingham, and Marc’s 3rd Mr Elephant Radio […]
May 5th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
i think it’s a difficult one. when i see photos like that i feel the area could do with some re-generation, but at what cost? are local residents consulted? i imagine not. when i think of Digbeth i think of great late night pubs that you can go have a drink at or catch a band, but this is already changing due to poor consultation with residents, ie, Spotted Dog. i think that if individuals move into a vibrant area they should accept it for what it is. isn’t that the whole point of living in a city? otherwise pack up and move out into the burbs and go have your 2.2 kids!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 am
I agree - the same thing happened in temple bar in Dublin. The artists and musicians made it hip and then the developers drove them out by hikinjg the rent so its now basically a moribund tourist fleecing facility centered around a binging culture. We already have one of these in broad street - cant we try something different in Digbeth.
I would also like to see the cultural association with Birmingham Irish people defended and maintained. At the moment the so called influence of the Irish Quarter development is in the hands of the same sort of people that ran the Irish Centre into the ground. It is the 2nd generation children of Irish immigrants that should have the big say in what happens in the IQ as there is no large scale immigration from Ireland anymore.