Livable & lovable Icknield Port: a shared narrative of urban re-generation

Abstract: Icknield Port is one of the largest redevelopment sites in Birmingham, UK and presents a huge opportunity to create a high quality destination of regional significance. Because of its size (30 ha), its locational advantage (1.4 km from city centre) and its unique waterfront attributes, the site offers great potential to meet the aspirational goals of major landowners, future users and the City Council. Icknield Port forms part of the route of the original Birmingham Canal and is surrounded by predominantly industrial uses. The buildings and character of the area remain relatively unchanged since the economic growth following the industrial revolution. The area nowadays, however, has many buildings vacant or underused, sometimes with large warehouses being used solely for car parking or storage purposes. The majority of the old buildings is now no longer suitable for modern manufacturing methods. This student project aims to generate a range of mixed-use developments, which vary in scale, volume and function. The main axes of Icknield’s regeneration would be its natural heritage and landscape, cultural adaptation, and social inclusion. The analysis and strategic stages of this project have been explored and materialized after three-month-long participatory processes. Subsequently, public opinions have shaped the planning philosophy as well as the design outcomes of this project.