Photo Credit: Kevin Frazer

Photo Credit: Kevin Frazer

Birmingham, united kingdom

Biophilic Cities Member since 2013

Birmingham, a one-time industrial giant in England’s West Midlands, has pioneered a comprehensive, integrated approach to environmental and health-related problems. Much of this new philosophy can be seen in our City of Nature 25 year Plan, launched in February 2022. Despite the city’s reputation as a gray industrial locale, it has 631 green spaces including local nature reserves, like the Moseley Bog (reputed to be a childhood haunt of J.R.R. Tolkien), as well as the  the 1,000-hectare Sutton Park (the first urban National Nature Reserve in the United Kingdom). Birmingham is the first city in the United Kingdom to produce an Environmental Justice Map which highlights those areas most in need of green spaces and green infrastructure. Birmingham has declared its intention to be green and sustainable city, and is a leader in making connections between health and nature.

City Contact: Simon Needle, Strategic lead – Urban Forestry & Nature, Birmingham City Council

PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS

  • Nature Conservation Strategy: provides comprehensive advice and guidance for the conservation of the city’s biodiversity through preserving open space and park land

  • Birmingham and Black Country Biodiversity Action Plan: This plan, written in 2010 by Birmingham and Black Biodiversity Partnership, a consortium of organizations including the Birmingham City Council, aims for a diverse and natural Birmingham and Black Country, where we are connected to our wildlife and landscape; healthy, sustainable communities and local livelihoods, working with nature and securing its future

  • Active Parks supports Birmingham residents to participate in a wide range of physical activities to improve health and wellbeing whilst having a lot of fun

  • Green Commission’s ‘Making Birmingham Greener Healthier” awards: These are annual community awards, including a biophilic category. The awards, co-ordinated by the Birmingham Green Commission and sponsored by Veolia, recognise the efforts of people, organisations, community groups and education establishments who have worked hard to promote sustainability; made energy efficiency savings; supported sustainable travel; reduced waste; promoted health and wellbeing initiatives; made space for nature and worked to improve the environment for the people living and working within the city.

  • EcoRecord collects, collates and makes available information about the wildlife, wildlife sites and habitats of Birmingham and the Black Country

  • The Wildlife Trust of Birmingham and Black Country Vision for a Greener Future

  • Groundwork UK job training and creation that re-connects people with nature and transform whole neighbourhoods.

  • Canal & River Trust

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