The Word's the Thing
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The Word's the Thing |
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In what sense can Birmingham be thought of as existing? - in space, in time, in reality, in imagination, in literature etc? If a city exists is this as one of many similar units or does each city have features which enable it to be identified as unique, with attributes of its own? Can its differences be sensed; does each place become defined by/associated with its own sounds, smells, sights? Does that give each place its own 'personality'; its own 'essence; - and if so how can that be described, analysed, recorded?
What kind of city is Birmingham? - Birmingham (UK) has, at different times, defined itself as a city of a thousand trades, a modern European city, a learning city, a city of flourishing neighbourhoods, a global city with a local heart..........
There are differing, and sometimes competing, views about the usefulness of such labels and what the various descriptors might mean. Recent activity has explored the relationship of some of these labels ('learning', 'flourishing') to aspects of Birmingham; how such attributes might be analysed; and the extents to which the city lives up to the label. This work continues to develop further.
There are emerging social and political interests in the notion of 'responsibility'. One future aspiration could be for Birmingham to become more of a responsible city. What this might mean and how it might be developed is currently under consideration.
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