Ethnographic Study – Healthy Streets

Birmingham City Council (the Council) is seeking to appoint an organisation for the provision of Ethnographic Study – Healthy Streets to deliver an ethnographic research study exploring resident lived experience of the issue of car dependency in Birmingham.

The Public Health Built & Natural Environment team intends to commission a specialist organisation to undertake an ethnographic research study exploring residents’ lived experiences of car dependency in Birmingham. The study forms part of the wider Healthy Streets: Public Health Car Dependency Study and will support delivery of the Birmingham Transport Plan and Road Harm Reduction Strategy.

The research will explore how social, economic, environmental and street conditions influence travel choices, including barriers to walking, cycling and public transport. It will capture experiences across Birmingham’s diverse communities, including those experiencing transport related inequalities and poorer Healthy Streets outcomes.

The commissioned provider will undertake ethnographic research, including interviews, accompanied journeys and observational research, to develop in depth insights and participant case studies. Findings will inform the development and co-design of Healthy Streets interventions in Birmingham.

The contract for the services will commence 1st December 2026 and will be in place for a period of 4 months.