RIBA West Midlands 4x4 | Debate Series: Design in the Second City

Is the design landscape of the UK’s second city fit for purpose? Is Birmingham living up to its standing as an international city? Is the city and the region falling behind other UK cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow?

These and other questions will be discussed and debated as part of a new initiative from RIBA West Midlands. The 4x4 Debate Series will bring together leading voices from the Uks built environment scene to look at the key issues impacting the region.

Join us this Autumn as we bring an esteemed panel including, Simon Delaaunty-Forrest, Keith Bradley, and Esther Kurland to take a look at some of the challenges faced by Birmingham when looking at it’s changing landscape. With new schemes like Paradise coming forward and iconic landmarks like the Octagon being completed, the question will be asked if this is enough and if the wider city reflects the cities future vision and ambition. Chaired by former ING Mediua chief Leanne Tritton, we launch into a look at design quality in Birmingham and what it might mean for the cities future.

When judged by the number of RIBA Award shortlisting’s, the UK’s second city, consistently trails Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast. Is this the result of tough economic conditions, or does it reflect a lack of ambition from developers and city leadership? With a proud heritage of architectural achievement – from Yeoville Thomason’s Victorian civic works, to Roberts’ and Madin’s brutalist landmarks, and more recently Future Systems’ Selfridges store and AZPML’s New Street Station – Birmingham has no shortage of iconic landmarks. But is the city losing its way at large, and how can we turn this trend around

Each panellist will deliver a 10–15 minute perspective before opening into what promises to be a lively, audience-driven debate.

Tickets: This is a ticketed event with limited capacity. Members of the architectural press will also be in attendance, so early booking is recommended. Join us for an evening that brings together leaders across the built environment to shape the future design ambitions of Birmingham.

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