The Core
This area is the traditional economic hub of Birmingham with prime offices and a large retail offer. It contains the retail golden triangle of New Street, Bullring and the High Street. It is home to the primary public transport hub of Birmingham New Street Station and is therefore a key arrival point into Birmingham.
The core is dense, making efficient use of land, historically established with good street layout and street enclosure. The high quality historic environment of the core is interspersed with many post-war and modern developments.
Much of the historic environment is protected by conservation area designations which aim to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation areas. There are several landmark buildings, the most notable being the Bullring development, the Rotunda, Council House and adjoining Museum and Art Gallery and the Town Hall.
The series of connected open spaces and squares continues beyond Victoria Square through to Chamberlain Square and then onwards via Paradise Forum and alongside the Library of Birmingham to Centenary Square.These interconnected open spaces and public squares offer a great walking environment.
The traditional core is too small for a city the size of Birmingham. Central area uses have expanded with the dismantling of the worst parts of Queensway and have the potential for further expansion. Some areas have development proposals at an advanced stage in the planning process.
