Disqus - Latest Comments for urban_dweller

Re: Question CUL1

urban_dweller — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:13:28 -0000

Hi tgaandy,

you are right that 2 of the cafe's I mentioned are chains, and there are 100's of them around. Perhaps I should explain a little more - I think that in these days of brand awareness and franchising it is much easier for an entrepreneur to franchise a store or cafe than develop a new one from scratch - i.e. its more cost effective and profitable from the outset which usually isn't true when setting up a completely new business. As a result of this, I think that setting and service/management provided by the owner are important in developing the "feel" of a place. Costa in Brindley Place is great from the setting perspective, and Gusto in Mailbox has a really great friendly and efficient team - try to get to know them and when you do you'll keep going back because they are really great!

So whilst yes you can visit Costa and/or Gusto in many cities - these two are unique to Birmingham for me.

Hope this was useful.

Re: Introduction from Mike Whitby

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:33:05 -0000

Craig, I have to say that you talk so much common sense that I'd vote for you as mayor if you decide to run one day... keep up the good work, continue your imaginative (yet practical) ideas for improvement, and I'd love to help you with the sauce project...!!!

Re: Question CUL1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:22:40 -0000

I think jamie made a very valid observation that what we want as a tourist is different from what we want as a resident...

Navigating across the city for work is one thing, but enjoying it as a tourist allows one to go off the beaten track and explore, find those places that take time - I have lived right in the heart of the city for two years now, go everywhere on foot, and still find new places every day!

Re: Question CUL1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:18:08 -0000

Ikon cafe doesn't feel like a chain cafe... and neither does Gusto in Mailbox when you get to know the manager (Lia).... Costa Coffee in Brindley Place is cool too.

Re: 8.0.2

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:55:43 -0000

What consultation events? If there are any why aren't they publicised better so that we can come along? Public debate would stimulate much better quality feedback.

Re: 6.10 Digbeth

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:53:32 -0000

I agree with the comments from Nicky. I would also suggest that Digbeth doesn't feel secure to walk through at night. However, that doesn't mean more CCTV cameras please - it means we need to encourage more people onto the streets, and more local businesses on the streets.

Re: Question COM2

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:47:20 -0000

Whilst the growing population in these areas is currently young and single, they will become families requiring bigger housing and schools, shops, medical facilities, etc.

Re: Question COM3

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:46:18 -0000

Ask families - why do families live in the suburbs - what do suburbs have that the city core doesn't?

Re: Question CON3

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:43:21 -0000

unless alternative (public) transport is provided then surely this requirement is a no-brainer given the target increase in jobs, shops, etc?

Re: 4.7.2

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:40:14 -0000

These are essential measures to put in place. currently the buses travel at the same slow speed as congested traffic, and they are far from clean and pleasant to use. So why use a bus if you can sit in a more comfortable car? Lets make them more comfortable, provide better bus-stops and travel information, link up with park & ride locations and train stations, and most of all - give them dedicated bus-lanes that allow them to halve the time it would take for the same journey by car...

Re: 3.7.7

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:36:54 -0000

We need to understand that parks are not just green spaces. They are there for people, and more people will use them if they have amenities like cafes and play areas - Cannon Hill park is a good example of this. More people and more families in the city centre will generate a need for more local parks of this type.

Re: Option W1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:29:27 -0000

Encouraging higher value offices and shops will unfortunately push existing businesses in the area further out of the city because they are located there primarily due to the availability of cheaper space.

Re: 6.5 Westside

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:22:53 -0000

Westside is also a potential pedestrian and cycle thoroughfare opportunity for commuters who live in areas adjacent to the city core which are within walking distance e.g. Edgbaston and Park Central, but there are no clear and easy routes to facilitiate this. Getting across The Middleway is difficult and dangerous. Creating leafy walk ways with small shops and cafes would help.

Re: 6.5 Westside

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:20:02 -0000

What about the proposed olympic swimming pool - dont forget to add that to the mix of ideas for the Westside development plans.

Re: 4.9.2

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:01:28 -0000

I agree with all of the comments above and there are plenty of cities we can learn from that already integrate cyclists into overall travel policies e.g Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Berlin to name just a few. At the moment New York has employed a Danish adviser to help develop its cycling plans - why don't we do that?

Re: 4.5.1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:49:14 -0000

There are lots of opportunities to re-open disused train lines to ease commuter congestion - lets think service rather than cost and do the right thing that provides sustainable opportunities to grow urban commuter volume.

Re: 4.2.1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:47:59 -0000

Whoever wrote the above needs to travel further out to check congestion... Traffic jams in Bearwood, Harborne, and Moseley are just some examples of the direct result of back-ups closer to the city centre. Increasing office and retail jobs in the centre will only create more congestion unless public transport is improved.

Re: 4.4.1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:42:07 -0000

Park & Ride is a great idea - but it will only work if the total journey time is equal or less; cheaper than travelling by car; and as comfortable as travelling by car... Unless car-parks are conveniently located and cheap, the buses are plentiful and clean and pleasant to travel on, and the journey from Park & Ride to the city is quicker then I fear this worthy alternative will be doomed... We need to get joined up thinking on this option to really make it succeed.

Re: 4.4.1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:38:39 -0000

Providing car parking in the city only encourages commuters to use cars, and it generates revenue for the council that subsidises local taxes. However, there are 35 million cars on UK roads today (ref: SMMT) and this is increasing by 600,000 to 700,000 cars EVERY year! Estimates show that approximately 10% of these cars are travelling at any one time - which means that 90% are parked. As the second largest city we get more than our fair share of this problem. This growth is unsustainable and we must wean the public and car-park cash dependent councils to encourage use of public transport in urban areas.

Re: 4.11.2

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:11:32 -0000

Wider footpaths, cafes, and individual shops and/or market stalls would be good to generate the use described. K-Damm in Berlin works well so why cant we do that here?

Re: 3.6.1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:09:11 -0000

I agree with the above comment that our cultural facilities are not promoted well enough. This applies at local level as well as the need to promote nationally and internationally if we seek to bring in more visitors as part of being an aspirational city. I live in the city and am constantly seeking events, only to find out about them after they have happened.

Re: 3.3.5

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:04:40 -0000

Why develop a market on the edge of the city? The annual Frankfurt market proves that having a "quality" market brings people into the city centre, to the benefit of other shops, bars and restaurants. Why dont we make more use of the streetmarket concept all year round?

Re: 3.2.5

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:01:31 -0000

Future business growth will most likely come from new start-ups and individuals, particularly given the push on creative sector jobs. these fledgling businesses need cheap accommodation which is where the use of older building can be best utilised. New buildings need to generate incomes that cover the building and maintenance costs - older ones are usually costed on maintenance grounds and so are cheaper. We should not stifle growth in new businesses by pricing them out of the city centre.

Re: 1.1.1

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:52:19 -0000

Does anyone really know what is meant by "liveable city"? it can mean different things to different groups of people, and there are several methods that can be used to evaluate it. The public consultation should try to establish what Birmingham residents define as livable. we should also remember that living here is not the same as visiting here... visitors seek tourist attractions and entertainment, but residents also need amenities too.

Re: Live local

urban_dweller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:51:56 -0000

don't forget families need local medical facilities, public transport, local shops and supermarkets, parks and play areas, swimming pools, etc... dont forget to add these into the new housing mix.