Birmingham case study
Introduction
-the UK’s second largest city
-example of economic structural change
-a city in the West Midlands, England
Preindustrial revolution
1166: The de ’Birmingham family purchased a royal charter so they could have a market and
sell things. Birmingham began to grow due to this trade.
1563: Camden reported the town was ‘swarming with inhabitants.’
The industrial revolution
1700’s: population had grown to 15,000 with many migrating from rural areas in search of
employment. Different housing areas began to grow based on economic status. Middle class
increased as law and banking developed, the multiplier effect.
1761: Boulton established first factory called ‘Soho Manufacturing’ which employeed 700
1800’s: The Cadbury factory set up the Bourneville factory and a model village.
1838: West Midlands Railway created the London to Birmingham railway opening in 1838.
1900’s: The Austin car plant opened in 1906. From this, the Dunlop tyre company
established a large factory employing 10,000 by 1950.
1900’s: terrace housing was built for workers so they could live near their work. Transport
innovation was rapid with introduction of cars, trams, buses, etc, this alongside factories
meant air pollution reached high levels.
Post war Birmingham
1950’s: Birmingham had 400 tower blocks built, and 110,000 sub-standard houses. The
government were responsible for the green belt around city to restrict outer expansion
1970-1983: wages fell from being highest in UK to almost the lowest. Unemployment
reached 19.4%.
1970’s: Birmingham caught up in global recession, traditional industries suffered as couldn’t
compete with overseas competition. Strikes were frequent.
1979-2000: employment changed from the secondary sector (manufacturing) to the tertiary
sector (services like business and finance)
2011: only 53.1% of the population was White British, so a very diverse population
Recent regeneration
-expansions of the adjoining Birmingham international airport
Introduction
-the UK’s second largest city
-example of economic structural change
-a city in the West Midlands, England
Preindustrial revolution
1166: The de ’Birmingham family purchased a royal charter so they could have a market and
sell things. Birmingham began to grow due to this trade.
1563: Camden reported the town was ‘swarming with inhabitants.’
The industrial revolution
1700’s: population had grown to 15,000 with many migrating from rural areas in search of
employment. Different housing areas began to grow based on economic status. Middle class
increased as law and banking developed, the multiplier effect.
1761: Boulton established first factory called ‘Soho Manufacturing’ which employeed 700
1800’s: The Cadbury factory set up the Bourneville factory and a model village.
1838: West Midlands Railway created the London to Birmingham railway opening in 1838.
1900’s: The Austin car plant opened in 1906. From this, the Dunlop tyre company
established a large factory employing 10,000 by 1950.
1900’s: terrace housing was built for workers so they could live near their work. Transport
innovation was rapid with introduction of cars, trams, buses, etc, this alongside factories
meant air pollution reached high levels.
Post war Birmingham
1950’s: Birmingham had 400 tower blocks built, and 110,000 sub-standard houses. The
government were responsible for the green belt around city to restrict outer expansion
1970-1983: wages fell from being highest in UK to almost the lowest. Unemployment
reached 19.4%.
1970’s: Birmingham caught up in global recession, traditional industries suffered as couldn’t
compete with overseas competition. Strikes were frequent.
1979-2000: employment changed from the secondary sector (manufacturing) to the tertiary
sector (services like business and finance)
2011: only 53.1% of the population was White British, so a very diverse population
Recent regeneration
-expansions of the adjoining Birmingham international airport
