The Inner city forms the area surrounding the CBD. This area is also known as the Twilight or Transition zone. Significant change is now occurring in many inner cities to overcome the spiral of decline they have experienced. To be able to explain the characteristics of the inner city it is important to understand their initial development.
When and why did they develop?
The Inner cities grew up in the 19th century as industrial towns in the UK and other parts of Western Europe grew rapidly. Industry grew up on the nearest available land to the centre of towns, close to canals, rivers and the railway which were important for transporting goods and providing water.
As many workers moved from the surrounding rural areas into these growing towns, there was a demand for quick and cheap housing to be built. The housing grew up close to the industrial areas as there was no means of public transport and people needed to be close to work.
Characteristics of Inner City Housing
To keep up with the demand for low-cost housing, developers built as many houses as possible in a small area. This high density housing often consisted of long straight rows of terraced houses and some 'back-to-back' houses. In Scotland tenement blocks built around central courtyards were constructed. The houses lacked amenities with little or no sanitation and no electricity or running water. There were no gardens and few open spaces, as the land close to the centre was expensive and at the time there was little recreation time.
Although the living conditions were poor, the houses were cheap (either to buy or rent) and as people lived so close together, the areas were often characterised by good community spirit.
Problems in the Inner City 1960s
Solutions to the Inner City Problems -
Urban Redevelopment
In response to the problems associated with the decline of the inner city, urban redevelopment began in the 1960s with many areas in the UK's inner cities being cleared. In their place, multi-storey tower blocks were built, however they were not as successful as they were designed to be.
1980s Solution to the Inner City Problems (Urban Regeneration)
In the 1980s new solutions were proposed by the government in an attempt to reverse the process of inner city decline. Urban Development Corporations were set up (UDCs) to transform many old industrial and inner city areas. The main aim of these UDCs was to improve infrastructure and redevelop derelict land in an effort to attract employers into the area and thus create jobs. It was hoped that this would begin a multiplier effect for renewal, attracting shops and services and ultimately reversing the trend of out-migration and encouraging people back to live in the inner cities.
Case Studies of Urban Regeneration
Glasgow Gear Project - Urban Renewal
London Docklands Regeneration
Redevelopment in Birmingham
Birmingham has also experienced extensive urban redevelopment. However the redevelopment of Birmingham city centre in the early 1960s was seen as an urban disaster in the 1990s. The Bull Ring Centre and multi-storey car park was built in 1964 and it was believed that it would make Birmingham the envy of other British cities. The Bull Ring was demolished in 1999 and a new shopping development has now been created. Brindleyplace to the west of Birmingham's city centre was successful redeveloped during the 1990s. The International Convention Centre is at the centre of the development and has allowed Birmingham to redefine its role as an important European meeting place. The Brindley Place development also has many new offices luxury apartments, shops, a sea-life centre and the National Indoor Arena.
Success?
The development has improved the physical environment significantly and as well as creating more jobs, the area now attracts tourists and business people alike. Birmingham residents however have mixed feelings about the success of the development as the luxury flats are too expensive for many people to afford and other house prices in the locality have been inflated. The new jobs created by the development are relatively low-paid and are in the retail and tourist sectors.
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