Draft Master Plan 20 October 2003 Newport 2020 Unlimited Vision

Newport City Centre Today

Newport 2020 'Unlimited Vision'

This Master Plan has been commissioned by on behalf of the people of Newport. The Draft Master Plan for Newport's City Centre and the surrounding districts calls for significant change over the next 15 to 20 years.

It is vital that as many comments and suggestions as possible are received so that the final proposals match the aspirations of the people. Once the public have contributed, the final Master Plan will be prepared and Newport Unlimited will strive to deliver the vision and projects contained in the plan in conjunction with it's partners, , the Welsh Development Agency and Future Riverfront Walk and Arts Centre the Welsh Assembly Government.

Newport Unlimited

Newport Unlimited is a private company founded by Newport City Council, the WDA and the Welsh Assembly Government. The objective of the Company is to assist and promote the regeneration of the physical environment and improving the City's economy. The Company has secured initial funding to help start implementing the plan. This funding will be used to secure maximum investment Illustrative Framework Plan: Newport 2020 and physical assets of real value to the people. Contact Information Newport Tomorrow Newport Unlimited Tel 01633 844141 The Draft Plan provides a broad, yet bold vision for Newport to the year 2020. It will take 1-2 Gold Tops Fax 01633 844144 many years to realise, requiring investment from both the public and private sectors. The new Newport [email protected] riverfront theatre complex, the opening of the Southern Distributor Bridge and the Ryder Cup NP20 4PG www.newportunlimited.com event coming to Newport in 2010 will be catalysts for change and many additional 'early win' Improved Connections to the River projects can be realised for the community in the next several years.

prepared by: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Inc. / DTZ Pieda Consulting / Arup Transportation / Macgregor Smith The Vision Elements of the Plan

The plan focuses on the urban renewal of the The Master Plan consultant team has city, aiming to revive the city centre and analysed a wide variety of planning issues surrounding areas. The plan calls for a more ranging from urban design, transportation, sustainable city where people can live closer open space & ecology, and economic viability to places where they work and shop and are of future initiatives. Some of the priorities encouraged to use improved public transport. that have emerged from this analysis include: The future image for Newport will be a city which is: The Environment

• Prosperous • Utilising the river as the new focal point to • A pleasant place to be with a strong sense the city of place • Restoring the natural landscape of the River • A good place to shop Usk corridor • Respecting and celebrating its past heritage • Celebrating the ecological and historical • A safe place to be, easy to get around importance of both the city and the river • Adapting to change in innovative ways • Providing new neighbourhood parks • An interesting and diverse community throughout the city • Forward thinking • Transforming the existing ‘highways’ into • Contributing to the restoration of the more urban, pedestrian-friendly streets ecology of the region • Improving the character and scale of Square The Draft Master Plan envisions a future city • Revealing and celebrating Newport's known for its revived city centre: a destintion landmarks, such as the bridges, for jobs, entertainment and dining and a castle and significant buildings unique shopping experience. Newport will become a regional centre where people Accessibility work, live and play. New housing, cultural Maximise Connections to the Riverfront and educational institutions will create a • Integrating all modes of transport to Future Districts / Neighbourhood Focus vibrant scene at all times of the day. The achieve seamless travel commercial core will extend to the riverfront • Creating a local rail network • Improving the bus station and interchange • Creating a future mixed-use neighbourhood with improved pedestrian connections. The in focused around a harbour and landscape of the corridor will be facilities • Investigating potential bus network improved connections to the river and restored and continuous pedestrian walks canal system and bicycle trails will extend north and improvements south to outlying areas. • Calming traffic • Improving connections for pedestrians and How has the community been involved? cyclists The Draft Plan shows how Newport can build In preparing the draft proposals we have upon existing assets to make it a stronger • Reducing the need to travel • Providing a balanced parking strategy engaged the community through a series of shopping and cultural attraction for families, stakeholder advisory group meetings and a vibrant workplace for new businesses and Development workshops with community and business a city with an enhanced sensitivity towards representatives. Regular presentations have also the environment. been made to the democratically elected Future Boulevard • Reserving the riverfront for the community, arts & entertainment and education representatives of the community, Newport City • Creating a new City Centre University Council. The Principles of the Plan campus and student accommodation • Renovating the Kingsway Centre and What will happen following the exhibition? 1. Emphasize Mixed-Use Future strengthening the high street shopping Development in an expanded City Centre environment The Draft Plan will be on display for public 2. Create a More Accessible City • Redeveloping vacant space in the consultation from 20 October until 14 3. Protect, Restore and Expand the River commercial core November at the Kingsway Centre in the City Usk Landscape • Creating a mixed-use office district focused Centre. The public exhibition is intended to 4. Engage the City with the River around an improved railway station provoke comments and suggestions from 5. Create a More Sustainable City • Providing new City Centre living members of the public that will feed directly 6. Create a Bold Plan which is Deliverable opportunities in the commercial core, at into the final plan. , throughout Pill, Old Town Dock and River East Future Riverfront Walk

Draft Plan 20 October 2003 Newport Unlimited / Newport City Council / Welsh Development Agency / Welsh Assembly Government