Possible futures for Birmingham 2050

In 2011-12, Forum events will be under the heading of Food & Cities.

We’re generating a series of scenarios set in the particular geography of one city, Birmingham in the English Midlands, and within the time scale of some 40 years; i.e. to 2050.

We’ve garnered the informed perspectives of a wide range of scientists, most of whom live and work in the region. We’ve involved plant scientists, epidemiologists, engineers, medics and geographers to name but a few disciplines we’ve called upon. First and foremost, though, the scientists will be making their contributions as citizens, albeit citizens with a specialised scientific knowledge.

We design each event as part of the whole. We’re at the stage now of aggregating the diverse contributions from the individuals involved, coordinated with the help of experts in scenario planning at Warwick Business School.

Add into this vibrant mix Podnosh’s Nick Booth setting up all sorts of interesting social media, including live social reporting.

Fling in, too, some interesting venues — from an allotment pavilion to a major supplier of perishable goods to supermarket chains, from an experimental hydroponics farm to an academic research centre . . . and we’ll have the engagement of  all sorts of people with a lot to offer.