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Birmingham City Council needed to scope and deliver its responsibilities as a host city, organising the Commonwealth Games with a shorter timescale than usual while navigating unprecedented challenges brought on by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The city needed to meet commitments to the event organisers and overarching responsibilities to services users and all local residents and businesses. The city also wanted to maximise of opportunity of the biggest sporting event it had ever hosted, to secure long term economic and community benefit.
After carrying out an audit of the city’s hosting requirements and capabilities, Arup was appointed to as a delivery partner, supporting the city leadership and agencies to deliver their obligations and ambitions. Embedded in the city team, Arup built an effective Programme Management Office to create and deliver an integrated delivery programme. We also designed the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre and Alexander Stadium expansion and upgrade.
With an experienced Delivery Partner and full-strength Programme Management Office, the city was able to go above and beyond its host city obligations to deliver a successful Games for residents and 5 million spectators, athletes, officials, dignitaries and other visitors.
The Games put Birmingham back on the map as the UK’s second city, generating £870m to the UK economy, with £450m benefiting West Midlands, and 120% social value delivered. The city was able to manage the long-term investment in public transport infrastructure improvements, for walking, cycling and bus routes, and maintained business as usual services throughout the Games.
Through the transfer of knowledge and tools, and training delivered by Arup, the city increased its capacity to position itself as a host for global events.
Integrated and equipped programme management
Specialist digital and information management resources helped Birmingham City Council to set up and implement core programme management tools and systems.
A coherent and clear system of people, processes and technology was established to enable ‘one version of the truth’ and ensure data was accessible. GIS mapping was used to coordinate and de-conflict 2,500 separate infrastructure projects across the city.
The Games reinforced the city's status as the UK's second city, boosting the economy and delivering social value, and achieving long-term public transport improvements and seamless service continuity.
Arup supported the city in meeting its commitments to event organisers, service users and local communities.
Getting the whole city ready to host
‘Get Set for the Games’ was an inclusive campaign to help residents and businesses prepare for the impact of the Games.
An online hub provided access to the up-to-date information and tools, as well as details of a programme of drop-in sessions that were run to enable local people to plan for the busy Games period, alongside targeted 1-2-1 engagement with businesses and community groups.
In a survey of residents and businesses around Alexander Stadium, 79% felt the campaign provided relevant information to help them plan for the Games.
West Midlands Combined Authority / Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
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