Shermer, A;
(2008)
International icons or local landmarks?: Popular perceptions of the visual culture of regeneration in Birmingham.
Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This paper examines the manner in which local residents in Birmingham perceive major regeneration projects in the city. It focuses upon the visual culture of regeneration and investigates the extent to which people support and accept new architectural forms alongside the more established elements of the built environment. The trend toward the use of 'iconic' architecture to sell the city to an external audience is of particular relevance, and this paper attempts to measure the degree to which the public accept the new supposed icons as local symbols representing local people, rather than symbols of the elite cultural or economic profile of the city. An understanding of the apparent acceptance of the necessity of such iconic constructions also leads to insights into the willingness of local people to accept elite entrepreneurial policies and the rhetoric of selling the city to a global audience, despite a possible lack of relevance to residents of the city. Evidence has been based upon the comments received from a series of in depth interviews with a variety of people from a range of social, ethnic and age groups, across the city, conducted in July 2008. By obtaining better understanding of the manner in which people relate to new regeneration projects visually this paper concludes that there is a widespread acceptance and pride behind most schemes however the most successful flagship projects in the eyes of local people are those that carefully endorse existing civic spaces and historic areas of the city that hold existing meanings and memories for locals, rather newer iconic buildings which appear exclusive and disrespectful of context and surroundings. Despite this however, there is a widespread support for bold projects as people believe that they are vital to achieve international success, even if they will not directly benefit from the new amenities.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Title: | International icons or local landmarks?: Popular perceptions of the visual culture of regeneration in Birmingham |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Thesis digitised by ProQuest. Third party copyright material has been removed from the ethesis. Images identifying individuals have been redacted or partially redacted to protect their identity. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > The Bartlett School of Planning |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1569285 |
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