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Digital Birmingham

Digital Districts

A Digital District with Digbeth at its heart

Why the city needs a Digital District
What it will look like
Who will benefit
How much will it cost
Map of the planned area

The City has started a new and exciting project which will transform a section of the city into one of the most dynamic and innovative regions in the world. The Digital District will transform Digbeth and the surrounding areas into a high-quality environment for working, living and learning, supported by an exceptionally high-speed network.

The District will act as a catalyst in encouraging growth in specific business sectors which rely on high bandwidth to compete globally. Benefits to the city would be to increase its competitive advantage, attract new businesses, new jobs and maintain the city's reputation as a leading digital city. The project will aim to secure ERDF funding and act as a pilot to further develop other parts of the city.

The project is in its early stages, and the project team will be engaging fully with key stakeholders including existing creative sector businesses who have already successfully created areas of excellence in Digbeth. Digital District aims to learn from these pioneers and exploit the benefits for larger sections of the city.

What will a digital district look like?

A district with advanced broadband and wifi connection, attracting a variety of thriving industries. The district will become the catalyst for economic development enabling the creation and growth of businesses to become significant employers. Technology will drive new content production and valuable and exciting content will drive up digital adoption acting as a catalyst not only for the city but also the region.

The project will encourage the development of clusters that are a magnet for start-ups, relocations and inward investment; businesses attracted by high-quality places, excellent connectivity, a skilled workforce, strong business support and the dynamism of other businesses.

The first district

The first district will take valuable lessons learned from other international Digital Districts and establish a business case for future growth. Phase one will cover Birmingham Science Park, Eastside and Digbeth; an outline map is attached. The boundaries of the district are in line with the original announcement by the Deputy Leader but have been adjusted to include Children's Hospital and Law Courts (http://www.justice.gov.uk/), Wholesale Market, Matthew Boulton College, with a southern boundary along Bradford St.

The proposal includes wireless infrastructure for mobile access and resilience and the provision of a range of demonstration centres which can link to the arm of the Science Park, the Innovation Centre, creative business and communities.

Why does Birmingham need a Digital District?

Digital industries are growing rapidly and generate high productivity, as well as having a major productivity benefit on other sectors, so Birmingham and the Midlands in the wider context need to be positioned appropriately; growing the digital sectors is therefore a regional priority. Importantly the region has key strengths within media and technology sectors which should be encouraged. With a focus on academic research, SME/incubator support through to established gaming, software, digital agencies and content production organisations. Digital clusters have already formed in the Aston, Digbeth and Broad St. areas of Birmingham and this should be developed further.

Removing connectivity barriers, allowing businesses to start, grow and diversify sits alongside harnessing Digital Britain's £200m universal service commitment fund to develop a minimum of 2mB/s broadband access.

What are the benefits to the City?

Both the scale of the challenge and the potential reward are great. About 25% of Birmingham business do not use the internet, 6% below national average (BERR, 2008) while e-skills (Adroit, 2008) says more effective use of technology could add 3.8% to the region's GVA over the next 5 years. Yet on the other hand the region has a high profile and well respected digital and creative sector. So developing and encouraging more innovative use at the top-end is just as important as tackling under-use at the bottom end.

Creating effective links between universities, businesses, sector bodies, business support networks will strengthen the region, making Birmingham one of the top UK locations to study digital technology & media. Showcasing the region's high-profile and well respected digital successes and strengths will attract high-skilled people to the city and enhance the City's reputation internationally as a leading digital city and continue with the City's tradition of moving Forward.

What are the benefits to the region?

Putting digital media and technology at the heart of the region's 'new industrial revolution' both in the sector's own right and ensuring growth in other key sectors; renewable energy, industrial biotechnology, plastic electronics and healthcare are exemplar adopters. Pioneering digital technologies will showcase the region's reputation and stimulate innovative start-ups eg. work on virtual worlds, developing public service content, cloud computing, digital government and digital security, all helping to attract inward investment and secure job creation.

Benefits for Citizens (based on consultants' proposal to ERDF)

As demonstrated in numerous case studies across Europe, benefits for citizens are likely to be positive;
1. Multi-service next generation networks (NGNs) will be more efficient than today's separate networks and therefore drive down the cost of providing the current generation of communications services. We would expect that this should ultimately lead to lower prices for all consumers.

2. NGNs should provide improved quality, reliability and security for a range of services which are today delivered over the unsecured internet. Properties with this provision will have a higher value especially with links to appropriate in-premise cabling and wifi.

3. NGNs also allow faster and cheaper service creation & development; leading to more rapid innovation and ultimately to greater fulfilment of consumer demands. In particular, this should offer the end-user greater flexibility over how, when and where the services are used. High speed connection can support the delivery of high value consulting and design to a global market place.

4. Digital & Social Inclusion, including Local Authority eGovernment initiatives can be more efficiently delivered and better supported. This provides an opportunity for joined-up delivery of public and commercial services to the home, potentially as part of a Total Place approach.

5. A recurring theme of successful NGN Case Studies from the continent, has been the positive effect of securing and maintaining high-quality employment in upgraded modern and inclusive areas.

Governance

The Digital District concept is being led by Birmingham City Council who has set up a monthly board meeting. Project Management is currently led by Digital Birmingham supported by City Centre Development and ADIT, the procured consultants. A stakeholder map is being created.

Funding

The initial price tag that has been identified, in order for the city to realise its plans of creating a world class creative an innovative district is almost £10 million, (based on a report from the consultants). Discussion has started with the City Council about the sourcing of this investment from both public and private sector funds.

Current Links

Full engagement and input will be required from relevant groups. The proposals are being matched with existing road developments such as Cardigan St. and Bradford St. as well as Eastside and the City Park. The Digital District is being positioned as a contribution to the City Region Task Group on Next Generation Access and an input to the National INCA group (Independent Networks Cooperative Association) established by Digital Britain. A key aim is to aggregate demand to generate business and public service need for high bandwidth.

Future opportunities

The Aston, Eastside and Digbeth District is the first element of a potential patchwork of next generation projects creating a digital city centre and digital ring. There will be opportunities for Longbridge, Tyseley, Sparkbrook when considering extension to surrounding priority neighbourhoods & areas of deprivation. Next Generation Access is a key element for 'Total Place'

Promoting the initiative

The Digital Districts project is not a short term technology project but a long term infrastructure investment about attracting new businesses, creating new jobs and transformed services. A key success factor will be engaging the area's businesses and communities, informing them of rational and benefits, and encouraging them to get involved, and use their expertise to help drive the project to success.

Issues

1. Identifying and engaging with relevant groups
2. Identifying advocates who will positively support the project
3. Identifying risks, obstacles
4. Securing funding
5. Creating relevant marketing & promotional material to help groups understand how the Digital District will help improve the economy of Birmingham, prosperity of its businesses and improve the lives of its people.

If you wish to become part of the Digital District discussions please log your interest by emailing your contact details to donna.galt@birmingham.gov.uk