Housing in the West Midlands: From Bournville to Port Loop

Housing is one of the most discussed topics within architecture and the built environment. Meeting housing needs in the UK is one of the key economic challenges but we have been here before. Meeting the needs of our population with high quality housing is a real challenge so what can we learn from what has gone before.

Join RIBA West Midlands for a full-day guided tour exploring the evolution of housing typologies across Birmingham. Sponsored by Ibstock, we will visit three key schemes in the West Midlands. These are the pioneering early 20th-century model village of Bournville, the post-war regeneration of Castle Vale, and the award-winning canal side development at Port Loop.

This walking tour will take a look at how housing design in Birmingham has evolved in response to social, cultural, and environmental challenges. Each stop will include a 45-minute guided tour and talk led by a local expert, with opportunities for discussion and reflection on how these typologies have created homes and communities.

These conversations will set the tone for an upcoming RIBA West Midlands Design Competition in early 2026 looking at future housing in the region and how we can ensure we deliver not only housing numbers for future generations but homes and communities for all.

Why Attend

This tour, proudly sponsored by Ibstock, offers a rare opportunity to visit three distinctive housing developments with insight from experts in each area. The day will explore that shift of delivering high quality housing in the West Midlands from early century social innovation to contemporary responses to community living.

This event is ideal for Architects, planners, developers, and designers interested in housing and urban regeneration, and the story of Birmingham’s urban development

Additional Information

Transport between sites will be provided. Please wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking and outdoor conditions. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Tickets: This is a ticketed event with limited capacity.

Terms and Conditions:

A photographer will cover this event and the images may be used to publicise future RIBA events.

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Cancellations must be made in writing to riba.westmidlands@riba.org. No refunds can be made for cancellations notified within 30 days of the event. To transfer your ticket/s to another individual/s, please contact riba.westmidlands@riba.org.

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