The little area of Digbeth in Birmingham was first settled upon in the 7th Century. Beorma, the Anglo-Saxon founder of Birmingham settled there and this is where a small community evolved into the great city that we know and love today.

Digbeth was the first area of industry in Birmingham and it holds a long, rich history in manufacturing – achieving global importance for industrialisation and trade.  But today, the history of Digbeth could be left behind…

Researchers from University of Birmingham are fighting to make sure that Birmingham’s history is not forgotten. We need to stay true to our roots, and that’s why our historical past should remain. A ‘Rescue GeographyProject’ aims to protect our landmarks and buildings and evoke people’s interest in the city, and the area of Digbeth.

“Essentially we’re trying to ‘rescue’ local people’s understandings of an area before it is redeveloped, just as rescue archaeologists go into an area to record archaeological traces which are threatened by new building. We’re hoping that the techniques we’re working on will help planners and developers use local knowledge to inform regeneration activity in an area, and maybe elsewhere.” Dr Phil Jones, Project Leader at the University’s Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

What’s going on in Digbeth?

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