The to transform the city centre around has secured a prestigious award.
The , which was entirely produced in-house by Birmingham City Council’s planning and regeneration department, has won the strategic planning award at the inaugural Planning Awards 2014.
Judges praised the “ambitious and highly strategic” approach for the plan, which included which will pass through , and .
The Curzon masterplan, launched in February 2014, covers 141 hectares of the city centre and included plans for more than 2,000 homes and 14,000 jobs.
Waheed Nazir, director of planning and regeneration at the council, said: “The huge success that has been achieved since the launch of the Curzon masterplan demonstrates the value of providing a strategic vision and clear direction. Over the next 12 months the city council will continue to work to maximise the potential of HS2 for Birmingham.”
The masterplan set out a vision for the creation of a world class integrated city centre terminus station for High Speed 2 (HS2) alongside major development and regeneration opportunities. Proposals in the masterplan include an extension of the Midland Metro tram system, high quality pedestrian streets and squares, 600,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, more than 2,000 homes and 14,000 jobs.
Since the masterplan was drawn up, the city has secured a number of major boosts on the back of its success, including:
* The Government choosing to locate the , creating 1,500 jobs.
* Birmingham being chosen to host the new .
* from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP to support delivery of the masterplan.
* The establishment of the .
* A commitment of more £130 million through the Growth Deal Funding Allocation for the .
Mr Nazir added: “These successes are just the start and the city is set to benefit significantly from billions of pounds of international investment delivering development and jobs on the back of HS2 and the Curzon masterplan.”
