TheHarpNews.com

The coming years foresee exciting times ahead for the Digbeth area of Birmingham. After years of neglect, the Irish Quarter of Birmingham is being earmarked for the next phase in the regeneration of Birmingham’s city centre. The three short years I spent away from the city in Liverpool witnessed enormous change that I personally did not envisage. From the construction of Millennium Point to the complete renovation of the Bullring, Birmingham’s image is changing as much as its landscape is. It seems inevitable that Digbeth and the creation of the Irish Quarter are fundamental to Birmingham’s transition.
The plans formulated by the Irish forum the other week include affordable housing to accommodate both the elderly and the young alike as well as provide an abundance of commercial space to attract all types of business with the objective of increasing investment and prosperity in the Digbeth area. But submerged under these grand plans does fester concerns over the possible cultural and social impact on Birmingham’s oldest area which, was indeed expressed by many during the forum. Of primary concern is that Digbeth will become another faceless, booze guzzling gimmick similar to that found on Broad Street. The proposed 24hr drinking licenses adds much weight to this apprehension. There is also the danger that Digbeth’s history and identity may become a casualty of business led regeneration initiatives, portrayed by overpriced trendy apartments littered with imitation American coffee houses, simply carbon copy’s of areas already found in cities across Britain and indeed Europe.
Despite these reservations I personally believe the regeneration of Digbeth will not fall into this corporate trap and will not only become a shining example of Birmingham’s own capabilities when it comes to inner city transition, but will also become a beacon by which other cities will draw ideas from. One reason springs to mind when walking up Digbeth High Street towards town. On the transformed horizon stands the symbol of Birmingham’s progress to date, the Selfridges building. I did and still do believe it to be one of the most ridiculous feats of architecture this country has ever seen. However like it or loathe it, its effect is without question. Have you ever wondered why the Selfridges building has not one signpost indicating its presence? Apparently the idea is the building itself is so striking there is simply no need for any, the notion of this idea being passed on the Irish Quarter would be one I would endorse. The regeneration of the Bullring destroyed any notion of Birmingham as being dull and uninteresting and proved my long held belief that Brum could be original and dynamic.
However my main justification for confidence in Digbeth’s future is primarily because in the idea of an Irish Quarter lies a design which is something uniquely Brummie. Nowhere else in Britain does a major city intend to celebrate its ties with Britain’s oldest immigrant community. Indeed it is fitting that Digbeth should be the first area to do so. Projects involving the introduction of Celtic symbols onto street furniture and proposals of moving the JFK memorial to Digbeth High Street from its seclusion in St Chad’s admittedly have got my ancestral fervour stirring. The forum already pointed out their intention to avoid “shamrockery”, and I remain convinced if we as Brummies do anything exceptional it is subtlety. Far from becoming a carbon copy the Irish Quarter threatens to set a definitive precedent for future city regeneration not only within Birmingham but also across Britain and beyond.
When studying in Liverpool I witnessed their council redevelop in the setting of its historical and cultural past in this case using the docks and the Beatles to promote its image and at the same time increase tourism. (To this end, Liverpool was successful in landing the coveted European Capital of Culture for 2008, though to me Liverpool’s cultural aspirations compared to Birmingham’s though perhaps more vociferous were not really as substantive). With Birmingham and Digbeth I do see similarities. Digbeth plays a major part in Birmingham’s rich industrial history. It is also the focal point for the cities many first, second even third generation Irish contingent. It is pleasing to see our areas’ culture driving its development forward. It is even more pleasing to see that much of the redevelopers’ heritage lies firmly in Birmingham. There are few funds being invested from outside of Birmingham and no money is being provided by Europe or even our national government. This is fundamentally a Birmingham/Irish conception, co-ordinated by the Birmingham/Irish themselves, in tune with the needs of the Birmingham/Irish community and hopefully providing a region of which the Birmingham/Irish community can be very proud.