Author: Nick Booth

The BURA Awards for Community Inspired Regeneration – enter now!

If you think you’ve been involved in a great regeneration project which has been driven and inspired from the grassroots here is a chance for you to get national recognition – but you’ll have to act quickly.
The British Urban Renewal Association is working with the Department for Communities and Local Government to recognise “outstanding grassroots regeneration projects; the schemes that address local issues and as a result are raising community spirit and improving quality of life.”
The site for entries is here and the entry pack here. You might think we’re bonkers telling you on the day entries close to get your form in. It’s not that bad. I’ve just spoken to Rob Brady at BURA who tells me their real concern is to get people involved. If you’re interested then give Rob a call (number on the Bura website) to let him know that a late entry is coming I’m certain he’ll be delighted to hear from you.

If you go for it please let us know – and good luck.

Birmingham – Time for free wi-fi?

Once famous for the Sale of the Century, Norwich is proving that it has a grasp on the technologies of the century – effortless communication.

According to the BBC, the city has made 200 wi-fi aerials free to use in key parts of the city. It is something which Birmingham must watch and consider following (quickly). After all our most famous mayor, Joseph Chamberlain, built his reputation (and gave Birmingham a competitive advantage) by understanding the value of universal access to essential key economic resources, like and gas and clean water. Today these include quick, reliable, low cost communciations, whether in cyber space or real space.

The Big Debate Birmingham – Michael Lyons meets Digby Jones

Some of you may be interested in an event organised for September 11th 2006 which will see Sir Michael Lyons meet Sir Digby Jones (and others) to debate  “If a City Region is the answer what is the question?”.  Here’s the link for The Big Debate Birmingham.
For some background reading on the topic why not try this recent IPPR analysis of how the government has given new powers to Ken Livingstone in London

Spare Some Change? Could our car parks feed our charities?

I’ve just read of a new link between technology and philanthropy – vending machines which allow you to donate your change to a charity or social project.

It’s a very simple idea and perfect for those of us who would rather press a button at eye level than bend down to scoop some coppers from the machine.  So how could we use it here? Why not put them in every car park in Birmingham? Perhaps the Mailbox or the Bullring could lead the way.  Each month the machines could promote and benefit a different local charity. The council could even stipulate these machines in any planning application for car parking. For a little more detail have a gander at this

http://socialedgetechnology.blogspot.com/2006/08/spare-some-change.html