Paul Long and David Parker (2004) ‘The Mistakes of the Past’? Visual
Narratives of Urban Decline and Regeneration’ in Visual Culture in Britain,Vol.5,
No.1, pp. 37-58
Long and Parker wish to explore the imagery of Birmingham within this
article, by exploring the post-war architecture and the redevelopment of the
city. During the 1990’s onwards Birmingham has demolished and rebuilt in order
to correct the “mistakes of it’s past” i.e. no charming and uncharacteristic
buildings.
Having grown up in the Black Country which is an area just outside of
Birmingham, this article struck a chord with me. When I was younger I used to
become so excited to hop on the train and head to Birmingham. The journey only
took 20 minutes, but for 3-year old Amanda it felt like I was heading on an
adventure to a different part of the world.
As both Parker and Long were born and raised Brummies I can relate to the
fact that the redevelopment and demolishing of the landscape they grew up with
and connect with would be most distressing. As much as I’d like to think it isn’t
so, a large part of your culture is rooted to where you grew up.
Long and Parker explain how during the post-war period Birmingham tried to
create a modern landscape and embraced redevelopment enthusiastically.
Birmingham can be defined by four key landmarks that were created during this
time: Bullring Shopping Centre, Rotunda, Post Office Tower and the Central
Library.
However development plans didn’t go according to place when constructing
these four landmarks, which left the buildings almost unfinished. Birmingham received
a lot of critique and got described by Lonely Planet travel guides as being a ‘concrete
maze’ and even Price Charles chimed in by accusing Birmingham of “ripping out
its Victorian heart.”
Birmingham is now trying to reinvent itself and correct these mistakes of
the past. However, Parker and Long put forward the idea that Birmingham will
repeat its mistakes due to political and economic issues.
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