The Quarterly Journal of the Urban Design Group

Issue 55 July 1995

Topic: Waterfronts including Docklands, Merseyside and Plymouth Development Corporations

Practice Profile: Landscape Design Associates Llewelyn-Davies

ISBN 0266-6480 The Urban Design Group Contributors to this issue

Forum for: John Billingham Other Regular Contributors architects • town planners • Editor of Urban Design engineers • landscape architects magazine, formerly Director of Derek Abbott Design and Development Milton Architect and Planner involved The Urban Design Group, founded seventeen Keynes Development in consultancy, writing and years ago, has been established to provide high Corporation. teaching. Previously standards of performance and inter-professional Conservation Officer for North cooperation in planning, architecture, urban Kelvin Campbell Devon. design, and other related disciplines; and to Principal of Urban Initiatives, educate the relevant professions and the public Urban Design and Transport Roger Evans in matters relating to urban design. Membership consultants. Principal of Roger Evans is made up of architects, planners, landscape Associates and Regional architects, engineers, surveyors, historians, Tim Catchpole Coordinator for the Urban lawyers, photographers, in fact anyone Associate of Halcrow Fox Design Group. interested in the quality of our built environment. Local authorities, practices, and universities are Nicholas Falk Bob Jarvis also members. The U.D.G. runs a series of Founder director of Urban Senior Lecturer in Planning at public lectures, workshops and other events Development and Economic South Bank University. which are valid for C.P.D. The Kevin Lynch Group (URBED) which was set Memorial Lecture has attracted such speakers up in 1976. He is an economist Tony Lloyd-Jones as Leon Krier, Peter Hall, Sir Roy Strong, and Sir and strategic planner and was Lecturer in the School of Urban Philip Dowson. Annual study tours are also principal author of the DOE Development at the University of organised. The U.D.G. publishes a quarterly report 'Vital and Viable Town Westminster. magazine dealing with urban design issues and Centres'. an Urban Design Source Book which identifies urban design practices, courses and members. Barry Fineberg The U.D.G. is working closely with the R.T.P.I, to Architect and Urban Designer raise the profile of urban design. It has interested in spatial ordering, reciprocal membership with a number of defining communities of interest complementary organisations including Vision at appropriate levels of need. for London, and the British Urban Regeneration Association (B.U.R.A.). The U.D.G. has set out Michael Lowe an agenda aimed at explaining urban design Principal of Arup Urban Design and how, using urban design principles, the and Director of Arup Associates quality of the environment can be raised. These and Arup Associates principles are encapsulated in the U.D.G.s "The International. Good City". The Urban Design Group continues to grow. Membership is national, and each Peter Luck region has its own convenor, who organises Architect and urban designer, local events. The subscription is £25 per year interested in urban soundscape with a concessionary rate for students (special and applications of critical rate 95/96) of £10. If you would like more theory. information on the U.D.G. please contact:

Judith Ryser Lecturer at the Bartlett UCL, Administrator Susie Turnbull researcher and journalist. Tel. 01235 815907 Author of The Future of Fax. 01235 819606 European Capitals: knowledge based development: Berlin- Regional coordinator Roger Evans London-Paris. Goethe-lnstitut Tel. 0869 350096 London 1994.

Chairman Jon Rowland Philip Stringer Tel. 071 637 0181 Architect and subject leader for urban design at the University of Greenwich, School of Architecture and Landscape. He set up their MA course in Urban Design in 1992.

Kim Wilkie Principal of Kim Wilkie Environmental Design. The practice specialises in breathing new life into historic land and townscapes. Contents

Chairman Jon Rowland Tel: 0171 637 0181 Cover Photograph: The Thames Enquiries and change of address: Halcrow Fox Associates 140A The Broadway, Didcot, Oxon 0X11 8RJ. Tel: 01235-815907 Fax: 01235-819606 News and Events 4 Leader Judith Ryser 4 Patrons DOE Quality in Urban Design Alan Baxter New Courses 5 Honor Chapman The Millenium Debate Sir Philip Dowson llford Town Centre 6 Terry Farrell 7 Peter Hall Obituary: Keith Ingham 8 Simon Jenkins Annual General Meeting 9 Jane Priestman Chairman's Report John Worthington Treasurer's Report Research and Teaching in Urban Design 11 UDG Regional Activities John Billingham reports on the Manchester Conference Regional convenors: Scotland Mike Galloway 0141-429 8956 Viewpoints North Alan Simpson 0191-281 6981 Foundation or Institution? The Urban Design Future 12 Yorks/Humber David Black 01482-593144 Philip Stringer argues that we now need an institution to improve the North West Andy Farrall 01244-402213 public realm East Midlands Steve Tiesdell 01244-402213 Urban Design in the Age of Unreason 14 West Midlands John Peverley 0121-235 4188 Kelvin Campbell responds to Philip Stringer's article concerning holism South Wales Sam Romaya 0122-874000 South West Andy Gibbins 01179-222964 Book Reviews 16 East Anglia Alan Stones 01245-437642 Books on The Invisible in Architecture, The New European Landscape, South East Roger Evans 01869-350096 Urban Regeneration, Earth to Spirit, Place and Local Identity, Modernity in Housing and Street Trams reviewed by Peter Luck, Derek Abbott, John Editorial Board Billingham, Barry Fineberg, Roger Evans and Tim Catchpole Derek Abbott The book reviews continue on page 38. John Billingham Kelvin Campbell Topic / Waterfronts Roger Evans Tony Lloyd-Jones Tim Catchpole introduces the topic for this issue 18 Bob Jarvis UK Waterside Developments 19 Tim Catchpole Nick Falk examines achievements in the UK and considers lessons from Marion Roberts Bristol Docks, Exeter Riverside and Cardiff Bay Judith Ryser Thames Strategy 24 Alan Simpson Michael Lowe describe the opportunities for improving the Thames environment and the design concepts contained in the recent DOE report Editor John Billingham A Landscape Strategy 29 Kim Wilkie summarises the objectives and proposals that were included Topic editor Tim Catchpole in this report covering the landscape between Hampton and Urban Development Corporations Book reviews Tim Catchpole The work of three UDCs involving examples of waterfront development is 56 Gilpin Ave, London SW14 8QY included in this issue 0181 8780594 London Docklands 32 Merseyside 34 Art direction Simon Head Plymouth 36

Print production Constable Printing Practice Profiles Landscape Design Associates 40 ©Urban Design Group Llewelyn-Davies 42 ISBN 0266 6480 Practice and Education Index 44 Material for publication: This should be addressed to The Editor, 26 Park Road, Abingdon, Oxon 0X141DS. Endpiece 47 Tel: 01235-526094. Bob Jarvis describes a Strange Paradise

Subscriptions: The Quarterly is free to Urban Design Back Cover Group Members (Subscription £25 with students UDG Events special rate 95/96 £10). PTRC Conferences

Neither the Urban Design Group nor the editor is In Issue 56 and future issues responsible for views expressed or statements made European Urban Planning Awards • Sustainability in Urban Design • by individuals writing in this journal. Good Places • Books on Urban Design News and Events

John Gummer launched "the first ever Thames DOE Urban Design This is an opportunity for the Campaign UDG. We should not miss it. Strategy" in May. The government aims high. Our value to the DOE will be The DOE has launched its increased by a positive Quality is the name of the game, although "the Urban Design Campaign. The response. The value of this to campaign encourages a the UDG will be critical if we are market will decide". "No way could the govern- collaborative process. It asks to continue to expand our role 3 communities, local authorities, and increase the means of ment pay for all this" says Gummer without

UCE has for some time been The course will cover material associated with the Centro dealing with urban design, Internazionale di Studi sul conservation, landscape and Disegno Urbano, a grouping of transportation, which will be educational institutions in integrated into units relating to several European countries. In issues and skills common to all: 1992 the Centro published the Urban Place Analysis, Urban European Charter for the City of Design Theory and Practice, the Future. This urban design Design Briefing and policy document recognises Communication and Transport that European cities increasingly and Public Realm Design are see themselves as part of a the titles of the four units, which common urban culture, facing will be offered. Project work in similar socio-economic trends these units will be centred on and planning issues, and lays the study of an area in inner down guidelines for their future London with a river frontage. A Millennium Madness on the way the capital projects development. fifth unit will consist mainly of a Debate free-for-all was being run, the five-day field trip to another problems of matching funding The Centro is now following this European city, where the links The theme of the Urban Design and the limits to capital-only with the first pan-European between the planning system Group debate in March was expenditure, the potential waste urban design course, which will and the physical characteristics Millennium Madness - what are of architectural effort and so start in October 1995. It is a 12 of the city will be analysed. Any we commemorating and how forth. Everyone, it seemed, had months graduate MA in one of the units can be taken should we be doing it? a personal axe to grind from European Urban Design. separately as CPD. building the information super- Students will spend the first The panel for the night highway to having more Zaha term in Birmingham at UCE, the For more information, contact consisted of architect Tom Ball, Hadid buildings (the Opera second in Strasbourg at the Sebastian LoewatSBU, on Paul Jenkins, an architect House, shown above, has made Ecole d'Architecture de 0171815 7323. specialising in the design of it to the long list of schemes Strasbourg, and the third in buildings for the arts, journalist being considered for funding). Florence at the Universita degli Hamish McRae, Victoria For not a few present, the whole Studi di Firenze. Neighbourhoods Thornton, director of the RIBA's millennium enterprise itself was architecture centre and Alan a mistake or worse. Paul Hyett The basis of the curriculum is London needs to return to Balfour of the Architectural thought we should not use the that there will be a similar neighbourhoods, with which Association. The debate was millennium celebration as a syllabus in each of the first three locals can identify through all chaired by Chris Glaister. band aid for urban problems but terms, composed of taught manner of events and customs, that it should not be a disguise courses in urban history, urban according to Roy Porter who It was clear there was never for their being solved. morphology, and social and gave the 3rd Annual Vision for likely to be much of a economic studies, together with London Lecture. Attention must consensus where the Alan Balfour, on his way out of research and urban design be focused on a system that millennium millions were the AA and feeling generally projects. These will be allows local people - the concerned and, as the night jaundiced about England, subjected to British, French and stakeholders - to have a say in wore on, this debate revealed a summed up the sceptics view Italian interpretations in turn, the development of public bewildering array of views and when he claimed the millennium producing graduates with a spaces and places. positions. was a completely "fictitious" wide experience and event that "would make no understanding of their subject. Commenting on the erosion of Within the panel, Tom Ball, at difference". For him, the only The fourth term will be attractive public space in our one end, wanted a "Museum of valid millennial project would be dedicated to a major research town centres, Roy Porter asks Britain" - a celebration of all the a "glorious revolution". or design project, and the whether it is feasible to return to great and good things for which student will spend this in one of active streets? Against a rich Britain had been responsible. Tony Lloyd-Jones the three cities by arrangement. and vibrant historic backdrop, Victoria Thornton, at the other, The main language will be he underlined the need for thought the country was already English, but students are London to again become 'a too much like a museum and expected to have some place where locals and tourists suggested the Millennium knowledge of either French or alike would feel charged with a money mountain (an estimated Italian. certain magic'. Offering a vision £8 billion by the year 2000) of the complex tapestry that should go to social causes like For more information contact London street life has been in helping the elderly rather than Joe Hoiyoak on 01213315130. the past and could be in the for capital projects. future, he stressed that 'we must rekindle the old sense of The evening meandered the genius loci - London pride'. through a series of discussions Guided Visits redesigned. It is, in that sense, remained scarce and no discos by car. Thus the centre is not a show piece of changing urban were willing to locate near a achieving its potential. "Reclaiming the public realm" is design theories in practice. major police station. The street However, trying to attract a the theme of the Urban Design market died and the high street wealthier public and the mail Group for 1995. Anew Initially located near the then shopping precinct of the order shoppers with specialised departure for UDG events is to major employer Kodak, at a seventies at the dead end of the shops and more parking spaces gain direct experience of urban cross roads between the major pedestrianised high street was may deter the poorer design solutions and discuss traffic artery from London losing business to the population. them with those who created eastwards and the north south 'Exchange', a 30,000m2 covered and manage these spaces. The connection (North circular) to shopping centre located nearer When leases came up for series will include guided visits the Docks and now the City the refurbished railway station renewal in 1988, Ilford assisted of public squares, parks, airport, Ilford was a natural which awaits the crossrail Prudential and the Norwich waterfronts, railway stations, market place. The restructuring connection. Union to enter into partnership football stadia and shopping of Romford, the traditional seat with the railway to redevelop the centres, as well as venues of Redbridge's administration, After Woolworth closed down in shopping area which produced selected from the UDG 'Good opened new opportunities for 1975, Redbridge produced an the 'Exchange'. The latest Place Guide'. llfordTown Ilford which was surrounded by action area plan in 1980. This urban design proposals came Centre was chosen to initiate densely populated areas and included a bypass of the busy from Thompstone Wintergill the series and Trafalgar Square workplaces. Car boot sales through road, but its location Faulkner and Tristram Woolston followed as an inner city used to thrive there under the soon became a straight jacket Design in 1992 who tried to link contrast. This'hands-on' flyover. Redbridge tried to of the town centre which up the disparate elements of the formula turned out to be popular control the situation by developed beyond it. Instead of town centre with urban design with the urban design group imposing licences for a the planned offices, a large features, such as street and its guests. regulated street market in Sainsbury's and do-it-yourself furniture, unified shop fronts, pursuit of higher standards. stores are located there at sign posting and tree planting. Ilford Town Centre Adding to the critical mass of present. The "planning gain" Current plans include the Shopping malls are gradually the town centre, the council plaza opens directly onto the redevelopment of railway land located its new Kenneth More replacing the traditional high through traffic which cut it off beyond the rail tracks on the far theatre, the library, the police street and have become the pull from the main pedestrianised side of the town centre linked up station and even the town hall factor of town centres. There precinct. with 'air rights' premises. Where there. were several reasons for a hotel failed to materialise, a selecting Ilford town centre. It is In response to the growing park and ride site is supposed the third largest shopping centre The intention was to transform dereliction of what was to attract shoppers. in London after Kingston and this low grade shopping area becoming a massive social Croydon, and in 7th place in the incrementally into a civic place. wasteland, a mixed Neither such large scale South East. Redbridge London It granted a third more planning development was the outcome investment plans, nor the urban Borough has made an consents for offices, of a new design. It included design measures are likely to innovative move in appointing pedestrianised the high street, residential units, low rental overcome the serious structural the first ever 'town centre changed the traffic routes - workshops and distribution problems of Ilford town centre. manager'. It has undertaken without introducing the spaces. In 1990, 41% of Nor is it plausible, that the intensive monitoring with the proposed tram though - and shoppers still used public strategic features of the area then local polytechnic and provided more parking spaces transport and 22% came to the around Ilford, the channel tunnel established close links with the (3,500 at present). However, centre on foot. Potentially link, the east London university, local traders association. Most this effort to improve llford's 588,000 people can reach the the fledgling business park, the importantly, the town centre has image was not an unmitigated centre on foot, while 1.1 million city airport and the uncertain been consciously designed and success. Leisure activities are at twenty minutes' distance crossrail would solve the Letter from Mark Burgess ^ 05 Dear Editor cd w co' 3 Is it too late to retain 'Design' ^ in the Group's name? I have recently read the report u on 'revisiting the urban design * manifesto'in issue 54 of Urban Design Quarterly and find £ myself feeling aggrieved and surprised by the suggestion to remove 'design' from the Group's name. I realise I did not attend the meeting back in 7 February and should have contributed to the debate then, but I do consider that when the word 'design' is being so consciously considered to be removed from the title it is necessary to comment.

'Design' is the focus of the group's activities. It is a problems, despite important starkly with the abandoned Those that worked, it was blinkered view of the word investments of existing retailers shopping precinct of the late contended, such as Broadgate 'design' that has led to this who also provided public sixties, the boarded up and UDC funded spaces tended proposal to drop it from the title. features such as a landmark workshops and the grim spaces to be private. clock, an information kiosk, under the flyover which will Urban design operates in the seating and flower beds. never become a lively street How much study had been area of the built environment in market. The lesson for urban made of the possibility of which many of the members Evidence from numerous designers was perhaps that removing traffic from some work, but it commences at a surveys showed that town urban design cannot combat street around Trafalgar Square? wider policy level where the centre management of retail poverty and unemployment, at Reference was made to the political structures and development coupled with best it may improve the visual earlier GLC Three Squares' processes are 'designed'. Local economic development was the quality of such an environment. study and Graham King felt that plan land-use and transport key to success, rather than a major study would be needed policies are 'designed' and urban design efforts by Judith Ryser to test any ideas and, although these culminate in the 'sharp themselves. The physical Westminster's car parking end' of physical planning and attractiveness of the centre, a account appeared to have a the design of materials and broad range of shops, places to Trafalgar Square substantial surplus, all this construction that shape our eat and sit, public seemed to be already cities. conveniences, adequate and The second walkabout was committed. Any study would affordable parking and safety centred on Trafalgar Square and need to cover a wide enough If the role of 'design' is to with a visible police presence, Rodney Mace, author of the area to consider the full remain central to the Group's covered spaces, street source book on the square, and implications. activities, surely we need to be entertainment and late shopping Graham King from Westminster emphasising the role and hours. City Council led the walk and Adjoining uses were impact of 'design' in other, wider the later discussion. Rodney unsatisfactory so that as a areas of policy rather than During the walkabout joined by Mace saw the square as an 'public asset' the square did not considering omitting it from the a local councillor, urban emblem of empire and a realise its full potential. If the Group's title. The multi- designers had ample celebration of war reflected in ownership of Canada House or disciplinary forum could extend opportunity to experience first the biographies he described of South Africa House changed, to other groups and the general hand the successive efforts figures such as Havelock, outdoor uses could be public without losing the focus made by Redbridge and the Nelson and Napier. Graham introduced on the edges of the on 'design'. It could promote waves of new problems which King emphasised that it is square. 'design' in the wider sense: hit this town centre in a technically a private space now design of policy, processes and potentially powerful but difficult managed by the Department of The danger is that in this era of built environment to improve the location. There were many Heritage which he felt did not privatisation, as long as that quality of life in our cities. attractive features, such as the therefore see it as the public approach lasts, the square underpass which was shallow realm and seek to promote it for could even become a target to 'Design' is a good word and it enough to let the natural public use. Both questioned be let out to a marketing agency seems to focus the Group's daylight right through, a well whether we still had the ability to -the centre of the activities in a positive way. Was designed library with an open celebrate events as in previous Commonwealth sponsored by there a significant debate about access policy that seemed to eras. Tie Rack! work and many urban design this which I have missed? elements which recalled the The discussion raised a number John Billingham Yours sincerely history of the area. The shiny of issues: Were we able to Mark Burgess enclosed and TV controlled design metropolitan scale Bishopston, Bristol shopping mall contrasted spaces today? News and Events

Keith Ingham "J.K.I." may very well come. We shall all miss those enthusiastic bom 9 July 1932 It is hard for those of us who phone calls and chance knew him to believe that Keith is meetings in which Keith played died 22 April 1995 no longer in action. He was so such a part. I knew Keith as a much a part of the lives of his good friend and as the one man Diploma of Architecture from very wide circle of friends, who convinced me that Design UCL colleagues, and indeed Matters apart from his opponents! We met in the early invaluable contribution to the 1956 joined Preston office of 70s within that temple of multi- Urban Design Group. Grenfell Baines and Hargreaves discipline practice, Building which became Building Design Keith was one of the key Design Partnership, in Preston, Neil Parkyn Partnership in 1959 founding members of what is a veritable power house of large now the UDG, Francis Tibbalds, buildings into which Keith fitted 1967 Member Chartered Society Percy Johnson-Marshall, John as a proverbial square peg. of Designers Collins and himself. He was the However, such was the fame of first secretary of the UDG and his designs under the BDP 1972 President of North although the distance from umbrella, such as Preston Bus Lancashire Society of Architects Lancashire prevented his fullest Station and other notable Keith Ingham's First File involvement in recent years, buildings in Lancashire and 1975 Chairman of RIBA North nevertheless he still contributed beyond that he was rightly To know 'Keith Ingham's First West Region to the work of the group and referred to in a recent Building File' (like Krapps Last Tape) is to was one of four people on the Design under the heading "BDP know Keith the person. Keith's 1976 Vice President RIBA for steering committee for the Good Star Dies". first file by now a faded orange Membership and Public Affairs Place Guide. A4 manila file tightly held by its David Gentleman What most struck you about Acco fastener came to me as if commissioned to produce four Keith's interest in design was Keith was his passion for design a family reliquiae from John wallsheets on vernacular particularly wide ranging from - for design excellence where he Peverley who was Keith's buildings graphic design to objects to could find or create it, and for successor as first secretary of buildings reflected in his design disasters where some of the Urban Design Group. But 1978 Established his own membership of the Chartered us had simply not thought hard the file contained, as Keith architecture and design practice Society of Designers. enough or been able to design himself, the very seed corn of objects of the quality that Keith the UDG. 1978 Founder member and first My own association with him wished for everyone as secretary of Urban Design began through Architecture background to their lives. His Always a pragmatist Keith Group North West when we were both passion could extend to announced 'Architects in on the Editorial Board and the demanding detail. Witness his Planning', a new group of 1980 Woodscape street furniture sophisticated journal owed a ownership of one of the first and committed urbanists who had designed great detail to Keith's graphic ill-fated RO 80 Wankel-engined attended its earliest meeting at principles. It is unlikely that cars in Britain. This memorabe the RIBA, by way of a newsletter Responsible for various notable anyone knew his full range of machine, far ahead of its time in whose masthead was a buildings including Preston Bus interests because he was terms of body design if not of stencilled line of UNO people Station, Methodist Church, involved in so many spheres reliability, shone like a beacon with perfectly rounded heads Poulton-le-Fylde and a large from Lancashire to national amidst the more familiar and lozenged limbs in handed number of private houses issues and it was typical of the metalwork in the BDP car park poses both evocative and person that his last letter to at Moor Lane. Keith would goto descriptive of the all purpose Ten Civic Trust Awards or Building Design appeared the quite extraordinary lengths to and wide ranging nature of Commendations for his work as week after he died; a few days achieve his design intentions - those early members. well as a DOE Housing Medal earlier he had completed the even if this meant spray painting in matt black offending chrome graphics for a guide to the Lune The commitment of this group on a vehicle or having his Keith Ingham DipArch (UCL) Valley. of architects, soon to be the number plate drawn by a sign FRIBA MCSDFRSA UDG, in order to include all writer because the standard Sadly, Keith was affected by a those engaged in the design of typeface was ugly. serious illness and a car the whole environment, was a accident in his last few years reflection of Keith Ingham but my memory of him will In a lesser man such a himself. He was indeed wide always be of someone who demanding approach would ranging in his interests, many cared for every aspect of the have been irritating or times breathless in his delivery environment and had an exhausting. Keith, however, was of ideas and actions, for time essentially human approach to excellent company, with an and good health were not life and urban design. He could affecting enthusiasm which always available to him, yet always be depended upon for made him into something like a constantly willing to overcome wise counsel and this will be Pied Piper of Design. At the whatever adversity presented sadly missed by all who knew same time he showed more itself; almost like a mere him. than the usual architect's dislodged timber bollard in the understanding of large-scale perfect woodscape path, self John Billingham planning matters. At the time of coloured and weathering to a his death he was still actively perfect silky silver sheen. promoting a Trans-Pennine Waterway - a project whose time Arnold Linden Chairman's Report Events Last year I reported a moribund Education Committee. This Jon Rowland reports on the We have had a range of events year Paul Hyett and I have set this year including joint events this committee in motion. It is to last year's activities and the with RTPI and others. The his credit that education in success of these will be urban design is now on the greater reference to Urban repeated this year. These joint table and you may have seen events help introduce other articles on some of the issues in Design by the Government. professions to urban design the press. issues - and build bridges with This year, urban design has other groups. Some of these Simon Rendel, our Treasurer, will finally become part of the events have taken place in other bring us down to earth by vocabulary of Government. The locations, some here. And I ensuring we understand the fact that we have with us this would like to thank Alan Baxter, financial constraints. evening a representative from one of our patrons, again for the DOE to talk about urban allowing us to make a home design initiatives and the issues here at the London Exchange. Future Opportunities of quality in cities and towns This has been so important to that have been the 'bread and us. Finally it is my contention that butter' of the UDG over the last the UDG now has an seventeen years, is a signal that Part of this continuing opportunity to mature, expand, the efforts and enthusiasm of networking with other groups, and really push the issues of our members is paying off. We has led to closer ties with a urban design into the public are fortunate in having advisors range of organisations including arena. If we are going to to government who are the Civic Trust and the Prince of respond to the challenges that members. We are now Wales Institute, with whom we face us we need a larger consulted by the DOE and other have been discussing issues administration, and better organisations on urban design related to participative briefing, support for all our voluntary matters. I believe this points to action planning, and UDATS. efforts. We want to be able to a new role for the UDG in We are also part of the Richard take the urban design helping to see through the MacCormac's multi professional messages to those people who changes in thinking that are initiative to the DOE. help deliver our environment, starting to happen and to help local authorities, communities, local authorities, communities We continue to grow. Our businesses and landowners. and other institutions membership continues to be We aso want to be at the understand the importance of diverse. Our administrative intellectual cutting edge, putting urban design as a means of operations, so admirably run by forward ideas, perhaps in the raising the quality of our urban Susie Turnbull ensure that we form of think pieces or "green environment. can respond as best as papers". To do this we need possible to the interests of our money. Such core funding will This has also been a year when members. make all the difference and I perhaps reflecting on this have started opening up change, we have taken the step discussions with the DOE about of revisiting our manifesto. The Committees this issue. UDG was set up some 17 years ago. Many of the ideas and Roger Evans, responsible for Even if we manage to get funds, agendas that were put forward Regional Liaison, has been we will still rely on you, our over the intervening years have helping expand the membership members, to get involved and to remained relevant. But as the in the regions and promoting participate in the various UDG's membership has regional events. committees and events. broadened and many of the concepts that we have Jack Warshaw has chaired the promoted have become events committee. Election of Officers accepted, it has become Chairman: Jon Rowland necessary to redefine our John Billingham has been proposed: Elizabeth Young objectives and aims. The day- responsible for the new seconded: Jack Warshaw long workshop in February was Quarterly, a very impressive a tremendous success; over achievement and other Treasurer: Simon Rendel seventy people from all regions publication issues such as the proposed: Roger Evans came and the result was a Good Place Guide. seconded: Kelvin Campbell series of ideas and issues that are now being pulled together Chris Glaister has chaired the Secretary: Susie Turnbull by a working party. You may marketing and publicity group. proposed: Simon Rendel have seen the report of this seconded: Judith Ryser event in our new redesigned Quarterly magazine. This working party will report back by the autumn, when we hope to be able to launch a draft manifesto. News and Events

Treasurer's Report There is a substantial increase Income and Expenditure Summary in expenditure this year, of which Analysis Membership approximately £10,000 was due Income 27,289.82 36,113.72 We at present have to Publications. This includes 28 Feb 94 28 Feb 95 Expen- approximately 855 members, of the re-design of the Quarterly. Income 27,289.82 36,113.72 diture 17,382.24 31,850.03 these 87 are overseas members This is an extraordinary Expend- Profit/Loss 9,907.58~ 4,263.69 (49 at present pay the airmail expenditure all of which has iture 17,382.24 31,850.03 supplement of £8.00 but from been funded from income Profit 9,907.58 4,263.69 June '95 all overseas will pay arising from profits on the Charities Fund £33.00), 631 UK members at Practice Index over the last two Balance at bank on £25.00, 64 students/ years. Magazine production 28 Feb 94 £7,582.24 1994/95 a further £5,000 was unemployed at £14.00, 56 costs have risen by £3,000. In Surplus for year ending transferred from current account students on a 'special rate' of addition it should be noted that 28 Feb 95 £4,263.69 to COIF deposit account. £10.00 for one year and 17 no Source Book production 10 Libraries. costs were allocated to 93/94 INCOME 1993/94 1994/95 Balance with whereas they do appear in 94/ Events COIF 15,007.67 20,815.58 The Group relies almost entirely 95. Annual on subscriptions for the main Conference 817.67 6,038.80 costs which are production of Administration costs have also Eastern Audit the Quarterly and risen during 1994/5 by £2,000 Region Conf 736.28 administration. Generally it is mainly due to the additional RTPIConf 1,000.59 The 1994/95 accounts have estimated that with a more or hours worked by Susie Turnbull. Holland/ been audited in accordance less self-funding events This has increased to 18 hrs/ German Tour 529.01 204.82 with the requirements of the programme we can generate a week since January 1994 to Charities Commission and a modest surplus which will allow increasing support for Administration copy sent to them. enable us to keep subscriptions committees. However, the Subscription in check at this time of relatively immediate administrative cost of & Misc. 20,096.89 20,259.97 low inflation. Accordingly we serviicing the membership COIF are not proposing any rise in remains below 25% of Interest 502.01 807.91 personal subscriptions this year subscription income. - the third year running. Publications However the Committee is UD Quarterly reviewing libraries and Annual Surplus Sales 792.96 735.63 corporate membership UD Source subscriptions to take effect from As shown in end of year Book'92 14.00 8.00 the beginning of next year. accounts £9,908 £4,263 Practice Members views on the Index 3,801.00 4,210.00 appropriate level would be The figure for 93/94 was inflated UD Source appreciated. by exceptional receipts. For Book '94 2,848.00 1994/95 there is still an Tbtal 27,289.82 36,113.72 outstanding amount owed to Summary Aston University from the EXPENDITURE Birmingham Conference of 1993/94 1994/95 A summary of income and £5,400 which has now been Events expenditure over 2 years is paid but will appear in next 1993 Bristol Conference given below. year's accounts. Taking into 1,148.50 account this item and the re- Lecture Programme The key facts are: design costs mentioned above 757.99 1,084.50 Average over Two Years the estimated surplus for the 93/94 94/95 year is £3,387. Subscription Refunds Total Income 587.75 102.50 £27,290 £36,113 Broadly this splits as follows: The Future Administration Subscriptions 75% 60% 6,108.29 8,180.71 Publications 15% 25% • We will attempt to earn more Bank Events 10% 15% money on events Charges 245.19 172.85 • We will continue to try and Promotion 1,228.52 Total Expenditure keep administration costs £17,382 £31,850 down to below 25% of Publications Broadly this splits as follows: subscription income UD Admin 25% 26% • We have an on-going Quarterly 8,768.28 11,738.71 Publications 65% 62% membership drive UD Source Events 10% 8% • We will continue to allocate a Book 223.82 3,345.03 Publicity/Promotion 4% significant budget towards Re-design 4,523.75 development of the regions - Practice though this was not spent in Index 467.10 272.85 94/95 Good Place Guide 223.82 52.30 TotaI 17,382.24 31,850.03 The research was ongoing and integrate the demands of objectives and improve most of the work so far involved diverse user groups? His mechanics for implementation. an analysis of city identity; the answer was "No, maybe it aim of the study was to show could, but it doesn't". He A paper on the pursuit of mixed how urban design could considered that there is no use was given by Louise respond to that identity. A urban design theory that Thomas and Alan Reeve's comparison is being made addresses the city overall - they paper was entitled 'Social between the marketing are all partial theories. Cities Conflict in Privatised Public publications of various places become a series of unrelated Space' where he compared and whether a stereotyped elements and unsustainable in changes in the High Street to approach is reducing the social terms. Urban design is private mall developments. differences. Such an approach not responding to those Research and Teaching could lead to market-friendly challenges and the problems lie Planners and design standards in Urban Design places rather than reinforcing in the strategy not the details. in practice was Winston Parr's local identity. He referred to studies he had subject where he felt local John Billingham reports on a made of the Glasgow authority planners were ill- Martin Symes' research on conurbation and its equipped by education and two day conference on 'Architecture and Urban Design' unsatisfactory structure, how it training to deal with design. was based on a recent survey of could be imploded by higher Local Plans rely on restrictive Research and Teaching in 600 principals in private densities, a wider range of spatial standards and standard practice. They were asked to dwelling types and creating a conditions suggest streamlined Urban Design which was define specialisms in which they network of local centres - control systems rather than a were involved for at least 25% of allowing the outer suburbs to sensitive approach. There are held at Manchester Univer- their time; only 9 out of the 600 disappear. and have been many schemes (1.5%) indicated urban design which break the mould and sity at the end of April and as their specialism. Their major achieve better results. objective was habitability and Workshops organised by Mike Biddulph they wanted clients to set goals, A plenary session on research were enthusiastic about To enable a wide range of began with Sam Romaya and Andrea Mageean. participation, and felt training papers to be presented a series addressing the question 'Is should include more about of workshops were held. Bob research a basic need or a human behaviour. The first day of the conference Jarvis gave a highly luxury' to which he responded was devoted to papers on individualistic multimedia that it is a basic need but we research and the main 'Design Content of Development presentation on 'Why do we needed to define urban design conclusions were that there Plans' is a continuing research believe urban design has a more broadly, we needed needed to be a register of urban topic at Strathclyde University product' drawing on visual interdisciplinary research and design research and that as the and Matthew Carmona images and sound and a series more contact between the subject at present fell between described the state of play in of statements to seduce the academic world, developers definitions of the two main seeing if the planning system senses. His main messages and practitioners. The research councils it required could be improved in urban were that urban designing is discussion period emphasised one council to positively support design terms. The first research more important than a label, the need to know what is it. Doubts were raised about the funded by the DOE concerned that we don't need a masterplan happening in the research field, adequacy of definitions of urban good practice for Local Plans and that products are incidental. the need for an appropriate design and the need to look at and this resulted in a research definition of urban design which areas of commonality between report which is shortly to be Tony Lloyd Jones gave a could help in getting one disciplines was emphasised. published and a good practice progress report on research he research council to see this as guide which the DOE wish to and Bill Erickson are doing on one of their specialisms. We The second day was concerned relate to their Quality initiatives. computer generated modelling needed to build on with teaching and reference was This is being taken into more in urban design. They are commonalities between made to the benefits of depth in a ESRC study which is examining the ways in which disciplines and look for diversity interdisciplinary projects; there more analytical and theoretical, informal settlements develop more than simplicity. still seems to be limited looking at the effect of design which can be described as a examples of such initiatives policies in Local Plans by bottom-up process with a between architects and examining whether more resulting emergent behaviour. Teaching Urban Design planners although it was sophisticated policies lead to recognised that it could prove to greater success in having Marion Roberts is conducting The second day's papers began be difficult logistically and appeals dismissed. The research on public art in the with Marilyn Higgins describing sometimes created tensions preliminary findings appear to urban environment. This the teaching of planners at which otherwise lay fallow until indicate that more sophisticated involved a survey of occupants Heriot-Watt emphasising ways in practical experience exposed policies do lead to decisions in schemes where public art which people could be taught to them. being upheld, that Local had been installed set against think creatively. She referred to Authorities have a better than policies being pursued by local characteristics of urban design average success in rural areas authorities and developers. The education in four strands Research in Urban with the worst performance initial conclusions are that there enabling students to generate Design being in economically are commercial benefits in early their own 3D sense of vision, disadvantaged locations. lettings particularly in stressing the importance of The first paper by Bill Erickson speculative office schemes; process and collaboration, and Marion Roberts was entitled Hildebrand Frey's paper was commissioning needs to be learning by doing, i.e. 'City Identity and the Role of concerned with the strategies of more informed and local participation and drawing Urban Design'. urban design - is it an art to authorities should set clearer together different approaches. Viewpoint

TimTownsend presented a UDG Views Philip Stringer presents a paper on approaches to n teaching conservation and The last two talks presented the case for a Public Realm 'Awareness of Place' was the ideas of the Urban Design o subject of John Bishop's paper. Group. Paul Hyett chairman of representation of current views conclusion was the need to design as a process with on urban design in the UK. In it develop creative evaluation and differing requirements in terms there are calls for a holistic innovative thinking by all of training which raised a approach, while its contributors involved in the process of the number of questions: 3 O demonstrate a series of wide built environment. for architects - should UD be 12 ranging agendas. One of the part of the subject or post papers2 suggests that the urban graduate? Ernie Scoffham from design educational debate is Nottingham University School of for planners - can UD be taught

based on the existing urban backing of such a professional Modernist ideals are now locked design courses. They could body in order to obtain better up in established practices, have interdisciplinary intakes resources, and to develop long standards, legislation and made up of graduates from term policies for course educational processes that all architecture, business and retail development and recruitment. interlock in a self-reinforcing studies, communications cycle of interdependence, all engineering, construction The Urban Design Group and having a momentum which is management, highway design, the UK's postgraduate urban difficult to arrest and rechannel. landscape architecture, lighting design courses are the He recognises that we are design, police staff college, foundations. Now there is a currently living in a world of town planning, urban need for an institution to ensure continuous change and economics, urban geography, the proper stewardship of the unpredictability where many of urban sociology, etc, etc. public realm in the future. # the parameters that shape and Taking the two year architecture guide our existence are being 14 diploma as a model, the first Philip Stringer Urban Design in the Age questioned and found wanting. year could deal with urban of Unreason If reasoned methods have theory and interdisciplinary delivered this predicament, it design project work, and the 1 Urban Design, the Quarterly Kelvin Campbell responds to follows that an element of second could develop Journal of the Urban Design 'upsidedown' thinking or professional design, research or Group, issue 53, Jan 1995. Philip Stringer's article on 'unreasoning' is necessary. management skills. 2 Ibid, Campbell, Kelvin, p. 11, col. 3,1. 22. the issue of Holism. In many ways the current focus 3 If 'urban' is seen as high on town centres and the moves Changes density, multifunctional, and The increased focus on urban to reduce the impact of cars in suburban as low density, design, emerging through the cities are manifestations of the Apart from the deteriorating monofunctional, then supra- Government's Quality Initiative first signs of 'upside-down' state of the public realm, there urban can be seen as high and the recently launched thinking at work. The new is another reason why there density, monofunctional. Urban Design Campaign, raises Package Approach to funding should be major changes today. 4 Ibid, Fifteen contributors. the need to engage in a highways schemes effectively This is the quantum leap that 5 Ibid, Bloxham, T, Gentle, C., philosophical debate as to the reverses some thirty years of the has recently taken place in Wang, V. future of urban design dominance of the private car. research into the public realm, 6 Statistically, arriving at this education and practice. As yet, Now, we do not refer to time and the way this is beginning to conclusion from one issue of the Urban Design Group has not saving for motorists but rather, be fed into education and the one journal could be doubted. taken up the challenge of benefits to pedestrians, design process. The use of However, as the contributors providing an 'intellectual cutting regenerative impacts, reduction 1 Coleman's and Hillier and included leading academics edge' to the current agenda. of emissions and public safety. Hanson's ideas to improve and professionals, and a As an opportunity now evolves We are seeing cities seeking to postwar housing estates, and chairman, a past chairman and for the UDG to play a more pro- eliminate inner ring roads based on purely subjective decisions the latter's influence on major a past president of relevant active role in influencing thought rather than on previous urban design projects such as bodies, it must have a certain and change on the matter, it has empirical methods, and now Kings Cross and the South amount of credence. become more critical to adopt a 9 refer to mixed use as an Bank, demonstrate this. The 7 See Sennett, Richard, 1993, more rigorous attitude to addressing the underlying essential rather than a subject of urban design is The Conscience of the Eye, thought processes that pervade compromised solution. taking a new form. It needs a London, chap. 5, p. 121. in our professions. new professional structure and 8 Many years of experience of a new name. interdisciplinary teaching at various stages in the School of This paper draws on a number Analysis: Synthesis? To conclude, the current interest Architecture and Landscape of of current issues and debates group serving the interests of the University of Greenwich, that are currently in the public The reasoned approach that still the urban design discipline in have lead to a general domain and seeks to offer an dominates many of our thought the UK, has only a limited role to agreement amongst tutors that interpretation of 'holism' as an processes is based on the play in the improvement of the it is most effective either during approach in urban design. The 'scientific method', a procedure quality of the public realm, and the very early stages, or at title of the paper borrows from by which, as a matter of in the structure and content of postgraduate level. During the the work of Charles Handy in his definition, certain laws, as urban design education. The first year disciplines have not book entitled the Age of contrasted with other kinds of 2 quality of the public realm is really emerged, so teaching is Unreason. Handy identifies general statement, are deteriorating both in real and confined to overlapping that many of the 'agents for established. The orthodox view perceived terms. There are theoretical subjects, or to basic, change' that grew out of is that this process is 'inductive' professional bodies dedicated more or less abstract design reasoned thought in the early and therefore these laws are to looking after virtually every projects, i.e. not architectural, years of this century are now based on generalisations. Two individual aspect of the city landscape or urban design. At acting as 'agents against phases of this approach need to except the public realm. It postgraduate level true change'. In other words, old be distinguished: the initial would appear that to ensure that interdisciplinary teaching can ideas, however innovative in formulation of hypotheses, the public realm improves, the take place. their time, now prevent the which seem mainly to be a urban design discipline needs 9 See Coleman, A., 1990, Utopia emergence of new ideas. business of inspired guessing, to reconsider its priorities and on Trial, London, and Hillier, B. Nowhere is this more prevalent and the confirmation of form a powerful professional & Hanson, J. 1984, The Social than in the making of cities. hypotheses thus formulated, body as quickly as possible. Logic of Space, Cambridge. which does appear to be a Existing and proposed urban comparatively pedestrian and design courses need the rule-governed undertaking. It is this method that has given rise Holism: So what does it Or, do social structures and Many of these principles could to many of the 'theories' or Mean? social processes influence the be applied directly or indirectly empirical standards that litter beliefs, attitudes, decisions or to urban design: this could be our professions, many The need to adopt a 'holistic actions of individuals, or are all through the notion of achieving professing to be based on approach' in urban design has such actions to be explained balance in our approach to city absolute truth but, in reality, been increasingly used as a simply in terms of person-to- building through the recognition being purely abstract and commitment to a more 'total' person interaction? In of its 'wholeness' when dealing subjective in nature. view of cities and their answering these questions the with its forms, functions, component parts. Asa 'individualists' tend to discount structures and processes. This The creative process is still principle it has become more the status of importance of the implies a total approach to bound by the procedures which widely accepted and, in fact, wholes, while the 'holists', in planning, budgeting, agency require analysis and which currently appears as a phrase in using the pure sense of the structures and delivery favour the piecemeal tackling of the Government's recent Urban term, tend to discount the mechanisms, as well as problems. Synthesis is Design Campaign influence of the parts. It can be professional practices. Through achieved through the medium of documentation. argued that the debate is as the recognition of alternative the 'theory' or, as is more futile as a dispute between approaches to planning and prevalent in the UK, the The word 'holism' was first used urban designers as to whether design which could involve empirical standard as the 'glue' by Smuts in his book Holism what is important in a city, is its moving from, say, empirical for putting it all together. In and Evolution (1928). He used it structure or its fabric. Clearly approaches to responsive following this analysis/synthesis to describe the philosophical both are important, but in systems which are more approach, the outcome is only systems that looked on whole different ways. performance criteria-driven. as good as the 'glue' that is systems rather than parts. In Through the development of used. this sense 'holism' can be more collaborative approaches contrasted with 'reductionism'. Achieving the 'Greater' to involving joint working with The basic principle is that the communities and empowerment 4 Reductionism: An whole is greater than the sum of A real problem exists in of citizens. Through the Economy in Explanation the parts - that the wholes take borrowing words from other realisation that the urban design on characteristics that cannot sciences, particularly when and related professions have to In many ways our cities and be explained in terms of the many of these sciences have evolve to become more towns are still reeling from the properties and relationship of been discredited in recent responsive to interdisciplinary methods and move towards a effects of reductionist practices their constituents. The converse years. Some of the points of more rigorous intellectual which have considered these follows that complex systems issue, however, are more process involving creative complex and vital organisms lose their nature, function, apparent than real, and stem thought. mainly in terms of their 'parts', significance, and even existence largely from terminological rather than as total living when removed from the confusion, exacerbated in some environments. In the making of interconnection of the organism, cases by plain prejudice. The challenge of the Urban these places, reductionism has whether it be a biological Design Group, in its new system or a city. Holism is been demonstrated through the If we are to continue using the manifesto, is to recognise that therefore hostile to analysis, processes whereby segregated term 'holistic approach' in urban to operate in an 'integrated' way which it conceives to be a and inductive methods have design terms we should look to is not enough. This applies only falsifying mutilation. been applied in all the strands a clearer definition of its to the way in which we deal with of planning, commissioning, meaning. It is clear that the the interrelationships between funding, procuring and Philip Stringer's article raises social sciences have exhausted the parts. We have to adopt a implementing of growth and the question of whether holism the debate on methodological 'holistic approach' to urban change. is more a result than an approaches and perhaps we design if we are to resist the approach and whether we should look to how medicine partial methods which Reductionism is the systematic should rather use the terms uses the term. Holism in a predominate current practice. practice of reducing concepts to 'interdependent', 'integrated' or medical sense challenges the In many ways we have to ensure their basic elements. It is perhaps'interdisciplinary'. He notion of linear cause and the cities are greater than the seldom an uncontentious takes the Popperian effect. Th e Dictionary of Modern sum of the parts! activity, and to list some of the 'individualist' view that we Thought3 describes holistic many varieties of reductionism should concentrate on the medicine through a number of Kelvin Campbell is to list a series of interrelationships between the governing principles: controversies: whether social parts rather than the wholes. structures and social processes • Health-care that considers 1 Alan Baxter, Towards a New are reducible to relationships These contrasting views of parts of the body in the Manifesto UDG Forum 1995 between and actions of methodology differ in their context of the whole being. 2 Charles Handy, Age of individuals; whether philosophy answers to such questions as • Involving the use of a wide Unreason is reducible to analysis; whether the following: is it necessary or range of interventions. 3 Allan Bullock, Dictionary of mathematics is reducible to even relevant to mention the • Involving the patient/client in Modern Thought - Second logic; or whether cities are beliefs, attitudes, decisions or their care. Edition reducible to physical systems. actions of individual people • The health of the practitioner The reductionist sometimes when attempting to describe is an important component justifies his activity as economy and explain complex social, in the outcome of the in explanation, a principle that political or economic interaction between doctor has obviously paid off in phenomena? and patient, therapist and science. The anti-reductionist client. argues the existence of irreducible or emergent properties. Book Reviews

The Invisible in critical thought and action" - The New European Architecture and by probing the politics of Landscape Editors Ole Bouman & Roemer design, they intend to Michael Lancaster, Butterworth van Toorn rehabilitate precisely those Architecture Academy Editions 1994 attitudes. As the editors £39.50 £69.95 acknowledge, this is as much Urban Design territory as The New European Landscape I admit my first response was to architectural, one might think by Michael Lancaster is a mock this book: too large, too more so. thoughtful, timely, and very heavy, far too expensive, and its professional review of European layout style much too To explore this expanded Landscape, since the end of fashionable - in short, a coffee- horizon and relate it to practice, World War II. table commodification of the editors employ a dual tactic. architectural thought. I was First, twenty-four studies of The author, formerly Head of 16 wrong; it is rather more more-or-less renowned Landscape Architecture at the seriously, earnestly, ambitious architects are arranged on a University of Greenwich, is also than that. conceptual grid in which eight an expert on colour in concerns (such as Context, architecture and landscape The first clue to this is the Space, Identity etc) intersect Design. Michael Lancaster has choice of three epigraphs: from with three strategies: Archaism, written extensively on colour and Vitruvius, the East German which relates to tactility and the environment, and has politician Gregor Gysi, and the individual experience (both presented a BBC 2 Film on philosopher Gilles Deleuze. Ando andKroll), Facadism (the these vital aspects of Urban Vitruvius insists that "to be an Venturis, but Krier too) and Design. architect, one must seek Fascinism which embraces a discourse and construction wide range of post-humanist After a lively introduction that together", the reunion of theory approaches from Foster to calls for informed landscape and practice. Gysi points Libeskind. Secondly, planning and design, and ironically to the larger social and interleaved almost at random, warning the reader against political context: "The problem are twenty-four invited essays or abstraction and a self-regarding of this world is that the interviews with a wide range of 'designer-culture', both divorced problems of this world are no architectural and outside from nature and human needs; longer reflected in the lives of commentators. Readers can there is a penetrating analysis of those who are in a position to make their own path from the total context of landscape do anything about them". Denise Scott-Brown's apparent design today; entitled acceptance of the status quo to Connections. This chapter David Harvey analysing the The editors' introduction fleshes ranges from the cosmic finance-driven dystopia of this out. In the post-modern concerns of science and Canary Wharf and hoping for a bombardment of images the theology to questions of class, subversive moment in visual has become a tyranny, fashion, and taste. There are architecture, perhaps taking in not so much a way to truth as a sections on Environment, Amos Rapaport's behaviourism pretension to be the truth. It is Nature, Art and Design, as well and Herzberger's down-to-earth their intention to explore the as Landscape Architecture. The reflections. limits and potential of author rightly sees the great architectural practice as a failure of modernism as the critical discipline, a means of This book is valuable as a cultural specialisation which getting behind the visible:not compendium, a random-access gives us such a blinkered view of the world; but states the sign itself, but its content; mesh of inviting paths across a optimistically that now we are not the object, but the action very large territory. As such it beginning to get a clear view of taking place in and around it; deserves a place on academic the nature of the environment, not the solution but the reference shelves and in homes we can start to look forward to problem; not the First World, but that can afford it. But this may the future. Following the the Third World of the South and be ironic. The editors having formation of the Institute of the Western ghettoes. surveyed a vast open field can Landscape Architects in 1929, offer only a tentative practical Michael Lancaster outlines the Such "invisibles" pull recommendation towards growth of Landscape architecture into the realms of "Open Architecture", in which Architecture courses in Europe. psycho-social, socio-economic the practitioner's wide-awake Perhaps a diagram would have and political contexts, and the critical awareness engages with been useful in relating all the editors decry architects' an openness to spectator/user topics discussed above. common resistance to "the view involvement in the generative that their work is ideologically process. But most of the book loaded, that it has political points to how far this is from the consequences, and that their agendas of power, and how formal choices and spatial easily critical moves are co- concepts institutionalise opted. Rather up to the reader relationships of power". to ensure that isn't the fate of Furthermore they identify this this book. resistance with the flight into design. "Design discourages Peter Luck The main part of this book consists of three illustrated chapters on the subjects of Nature Rediscovered, Landscape and the City and Landscapes of Memory. The greater proportion of examples are drawn from Germany, , , The Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK. Not surprisingly, all the Greek and Italian examples are in Landscapes of Memory; perhaps the most evocative chapter with its preoccupation with human ritual and historic context.

There are many compelling schemes that are illustrated including the Munich Olympic Park, the University of Zurich, the Green 'U' Stuttgart, Primary School at Lyngby, Fawley Power Station, Central Athens Urban Regeneration urban areas. I share that A further topic that could pedestrian system and Ian Colquhoun, London view, seeing residential usefully have been given greater cemeteries in Slovenia. Batsford 1995 almost as a residual use in coverage is public transport £50 the rehabilitation of inner which, I believe, together with In conclusion, The New cities but to secure that in the reintroduction of residential European Landscape should be This book provides a useful the UK does require finance uses gives the greatest hope for a very good case-book for summary of a number of the from, at present, other than the future of our cities. Whilst students, not only of Landscape significant urban regeneration local authorities and reference is made in the British Architecture but all other projects being carried out in the probably changes in section to London Transport and environmental disciplines. USA, Europe and Britain set legislation and responsibility. the Metro in Sheffield, there are Therefore it is to be hoped that a against an analysis of the The author's experience in other schemes that could have paperback edition will soon be changes occurring within cities. housing has highlighted been described and more available. many interesting examples detailed comparisons It examines the issues, of residential development established with USA and Since this is a book filling a organisation and design across the whole spectrum European examples. major gap in the broad field of approaches to regeneration and of demand but I did not feel Urban Design, it should be read this is followed by sections that there was similar depth The book is well illustrated but as widely as possible, thanks to devoted respectively to in examining the the layout does not help the Michael Lancaster's perception American, British and European background to commercial reader to understand many of and understanding of the crucial examples. A final section development. the points that are made as role of landscape design in headed 'Reflections' outlines illustrative material and text society today. some conclusions. In describing British practice appear on different pages, the various measures sometimes a number of pages Derek Abbott In these days of massive tomes, introduced by governments apart. Whilst to connect text to it is refreshing to find a book since 1978 are listed and illustrations sometimes requires that deals with its subject in a whilst the integrated regional a more formal layout, this is more manageable way. government offices are often essential in order to grasp However, whilst this is a strength mentioned more emphasis the point that is being made, to the reader who wishes to should have been given to otherwise the author's have an overall summary, those the principles of the Single perceptive comments cannot be who seek greater detail about Regeneration Budget fully appreciated. Nevertheless, certain functions or locations notwithstanding the it is a book which is easy to may be disappointed and would closeness of the date of read with excellent illustrations have to follow up quoted publication to this initiative; that complement the text and it references or obtain additional its wide ranging holistic provides an extensive coverage Kop Van Zuid information. basis for submissions and to the subject of urban the new way of assessment regeneration in the USA, UK proposals on the The author emphasises the role heralds a radically different and Europe. of the housing function in urban approach and one could south bank of the renewal which he considers has argue significantly in often escaped the advance of what is John Billingham River Meuse, understanding of governments happening in the USA, in both Britain and the USA and despite the continuing Rotterdam, from in the American chapter element of competition. emphasises the significance of Further book reviews 'Urban Regeneration'. residential improvement in inner continue on p. 38 Topic

18

'Urban Design' has not hitherto devoted an Tibbalds Award for Planning Achievement in issue to the theme of urban waterfronts. It London. The study predated, indeed does so now in order to celebrate the prompted, the Arup study and the intention publication of a major urban design study is that it should serve as a prototype for commissioned by the Government. This is other detailed studies of the river between the Thames Strategy which was launched by Kew and Greenwich which would follow John Gummer on 9 May. within the Arup framework. The Wilkie study is accordingly included in this issue. The authors of the study are Ove Arup and Partners. The firm was one of over seventy Beyond Greenwich there has recently been consultancies that submitted an expression the East Thames Corridor Study, alias the of interest in June of last year. No doubt Thames Gateway, produced by Llewelyn- many members of the Urban Design Group Davies. A write-up of this study has not and readers of this journal were among the been included as it is concerned more with hopeful consultants. We must congratulate broad planning than urban design and, in Arup on winning this prestigious any case, our intention is that this issue assignment. Their own write-up of the study should not be dominated by events in is the centre piece of this issue. London. Rather, the issue begins with a UK perspective on waterfronts presented by John Gummer, it should be noted, is not the Nick Falk of URBED, a frequent participant first Secretary of State for the Environment in in Urban Design Group activities. His article the Conservative administration since 1979 is based on a review he undertook of to fly the Thames flag. Michael Heseltine in waterfront regeneration in the UK in the late 1982 publicly expressed much concern 1980s and he focuses on three waterfront about the poor quality of new riverside cities in particular, namely Exeter, Bristol and development and called for a "coherent plan Cardiff, where the approach to regeneration for development on the river". The Greater has differed. London Council responded with publication of its Thamesside Guidelines' in 1986 but Also featured in this issue are contributions was then abolished. There followed a bleak from the London Docklands Development period when successive Secretaries of State, Corporation, Merseyside and Plymouth in particular the late Nicholas Ridley, showed Urban Development Corporations. no interest and the Guidelines became forgotten. Tim Catchpole

The revival of interest in Thamesside in the early 1990s came not from the Conservative Government but from Prince Charles, the Royal Fine Art Commission and the Opposition Party manifesto for London produced by Mark Fisher and Richard Rogers. The RFAC organized an exhibition of ideas for London's river in 1991 and one of the items on display was Kim Wilkie's plan for restoring vistas in the upper reaches between Hampton Court and Kew. This idea quickly gathered momentum and culminated in the Thames Landscape Strategy which last year won the Francis Nicholas Falk reviews achievements in many of them young people excited by unusual space and views, and expectations c of the area taking off. Needless to say UK Waterside developments and * conflict between the 'cowboys' and 'Indians' compares approaches in Exeter, Bristol is quite common! However, in addition to the natural process of regeneration, many and Cardiff. places have initiated projects that have acted as catalysts for development.

Most towns and cities are based on water, Many of the achievements of the last and grew up either around ports or river decade are impressive. For example, in crossings, which became the focus of I<5 Bristol the old docks in the city centre are commerce, industry, and transport. The now a continuous source of attractions, with rapid decline of traditional industry over the the arts playing a major role. In Rotherhithe last 30 years together with technological in London's Dockland craftsmen were the 19 •ii change has released large areas of land for pioneers in revitalising a historic area with redevelopment. This had made it possible mixed uses. In Salford, in the shadow of a to re-use waterside locations to promote Manchester, a high standard of urban urban regeneration. A survey URBED did in (D design created the confidence for local 1978 of development in 22 city ports in developers to start the process of Britain found a general picture of inactivity, regeneration with housing and offices. In with the main problems being dereliction, Birmingham, the Gas Street Canal basin is and loss of jobs, compounded often by the focus of the city's massive new isolation and an aging population. There (D Convention Centre. In Glasgow, a riverside < were major problems in attracting firms to site was used for a garden festival, and has set up, and mobilising development finance. since been developed for housing. And in In contrast, over ten years later the picture (D Docks and many other places was much brighter, and a survey we did for along the South coast, expensive housing the Royal Town Planning Institute in 1989 has begun to take the place of waterside O discovered over 90 schemes that were industry, creating new urban quarters. "O underway. 70% were areas of over 10 acres, 45 of these were on rivers, 27 on canals, and the balance were ports and harbours. There is also evidence of projects forming 3 part of published strategies that provide the vision to guide development. Perhaps the While the survey covered every imaginable (D best example is the Swansea Docks. Here use, the number of genuinely mixed the process started badly with the City schemes was disappointingly small. starting to fill in the Dock. However, a far- Housing for sale was the major use in 30 sighted planning officer saw the potential for schemes and some other use in a further regenerating Swansea through a series of 16. Leisure and recreation was also very linked parks, which included the concept of common, but relatively little space was given a 'Maritime Quarter'. A strategy with a mix over in general to retail, open space, or car O of uses was published but initially great zr parking. It is probable that since then, a difficulty was found in attracting investment o number of major retail schemes have as housing overlooking a marina seemed changed the picture. unbelievable at the time. The local authority managed to attract grants towards the cost of infrastructure. It pursued high Achievements environmental standards and mixed uses, 7T and the resulting quarter now provides the 15 years ago, inspiration for urban City with a new attraction that forms what regeneration projects in Britain was drawn URBED's report Building to Last calls a largely from the U.S.A. These included 'Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood'. places like Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco (a former chocolate factory that Strategies have also been produced, with was turned into speciality shops and eating the help of consultants, for major waterside places): Boston (with its Quincy market), areas such as Newcastle, Cardiff and Baltimore Harbourplace (with its convention Salford Docks and along the Leeds and centre/festival market place aquarium and Canal with an emphasis on science centre) and Lowell (with its National attracting a mix of uses. Often the key to Historical Park). Today there is such a rich success is for a public authority such as a diversity of experience throughout Britain Council to assemble sufficient land at that we need to invent our own models, and existing values to allow for a diversity of not simply copy others. uses and good quality architecture. By bringing land gradually onto the market, the The process of regeneration often follows a increased market values can help pay for pattern, not unlike the opening up of the infrastructure. Tipton in the West Midlands American West. First come the is a good example where City Challenge missionaries, keen to discover and preserve funds are being used to achieve a mix of the heritage, and enthusiasts for its uses, and a higher standard of design. conversion to new uses. The pioneers are people who move in as residents or artists, Topic / Waterfronts

Problems left: new life in

The tide of development has therefore been Bristol Docks moving towards waterside locations. However, despite all the glossy brochures right: Concept and years of planning, the results are often disappointing. In London's Docklands, Planning Group where developers have been given relative freedom, the new developments often look ideas showing like moated fortresses rather than attractive places or destinations. Even where mixed how Bristol uses have been promoted, such as Chelsea Harbour in West London, the flow of people Harbourside can be insufficient to create the conditions 20 in which shops and other service businesses could be thrive. Marinas described as waterside villages turn out looking like floating car developed in parks. In others a high proportion of the homes stay unsold, making it difficult to accordance with create a sense of community. the planning brief Part of the problem is the exceptional time it can take to reach agreement between all the parties. Three quarters of respondents to our survey claimed that this was the most regeneration for failing to take a holistic or lain Patterson, the former City Planning difficult problem to resolve, followed by balanced approach. Not only does this Officer, described the essential steps in the providing infrastructure and arranging failure lead to conflict and the waste of regeneration of the docks as follows: finance. Yet where schemes are developed precious resources as buildings go up in without the benefit of a master plan or flames, or businesses close down, but the • the adoption and the publication of the development strategy, success often seems resulting developments are typically bland Docks Local Plan in 1978 short-lived. As in Tobacco Dock, a specialist and inhuman, and fail to attract people on retail development in London's East End, the the scale needed for them to succeed. This • the identification of 'Early Release' sites result too often is an isolated and limited can be seen in many of the major urban with closely detailed development briefs attraction surrounded by acres of parking, renewal schemes, such as the Barbican, rather than a popular destination. However much of Docklands, and even the few • the marketing of those sites in Council good the architecture, if it does not attract attempts at mixed use such as Chelsea ownership users it is a failure and it seems strange that Wharf. It seems that the idea of creating urban designers should still be designing comprehensive developments in one go, • the active promotion of other sites in places that end up being dominated by cars and under the design of a single architect is private ownership and a suburban monoculture. Most people fatally flawed. Instead a process of gradual prefer places with a range of facilities that change, with an intricate mix of activities is • the willingness of the City Council to are safe to walk about in. A view over water far more beneficial and popular. fight appeals and use acquisition is not enough to create a renaissance, and procedures to achieve the policies architects' perspectives often fail to show what it will be like to walk about the area. Success Stories • the use of packages of funding to pursue these initiatives, particularly It would clearly be unrealistic to expect to The benefits of the Balanced Incremental when they were regarded by the stop change and equally undesirable to Development approach can best be conventional market as uneconomic sweep all that is old away to accommodate understood by considering case studies new demands, or to turn old areas into open involving three different kinds of places, • a continuing partnership with English museums. Instead, successful regeneration starting with the experience of Bristol Docks, Heritage, various private trusts and follows a process I have called Balanced Exeter Riverside and Cardiff Bay. successive government training and Incremental Development which satisfies employment programmes three fundamental principles. The first is social justice, that is the idea that the Bristol Docks • individual commercial agreements with existing community should not lose out as a private development interests result of development, but should secure One of the best examples of how redundant some benefit in terms of their most pressing waterside areas can be brought back to life The process of regeneration depended in needs. The second principle is natural is Bristol Docks. The 'Floating Dock' in the the early stages on bringing redundant balance, the idea that development should centre of town was largely in local authority buildings back to use, and there are many be appropriate to the context and not ownership, and the challenge was to attract exciting examples, such as the conversion harmful to the environment, so that and finance appropriate uses. of a warehouse into a Youth Hostel and sustainable places are created. The final Urban Studies Centre, part financed by an principle is the minimisation of waste, the adjoining office development. The process idea that existing resources should be fully can perhaps be understood best by taking utilised where possible. the example of the Watershed, which forms a case study in URBED's guide to good These principles are ones that most thinking practice Re-using Redundant Buildings people would agree with, and by implication produced for the Department of the they condemn many attempts at Environment (URBED, 1987). The Watershed is made up of two 2 storey Victorian warehouses which run along the quayside of Bristol's Floating Harbour. They are listed buildings and in a Conservation Area just on the edge of the city centre. Other buildings around the quay have been renovated, but behind Watershed there was a large area of derelict goods yards.

The scheme involved a private developer ^ converting the ground floors into a speciality S shopping arcade, which would be well positioned in relation to the goods yard development, and the upper floors into performance and exhibition areas for an arts 21 centre. It also involved developing their major tenant from a modest community group into an organisation capable of equipping, financing and managing a major new arts centre. To do this JT (a Bristol based development company) found and supported a project director for the newly created Watershed Arts Trust. Their first task was to raise money, and this they had to do by selling their concept of Britain's first 'media centre' to potential sponsors. The strategy for the Watershed was to gain the support of at least one major national art- funding institution (to endorse the project's credibility) and then to involve as many Bristol-based companies as possible. The general message was that something unique, something exciting, something of national standing was about to be launched in Bristol. The Arts Centre has two cinemas, film, video and photographic workshop space, studios, an exhibition space and a restaurant - all in 24,000 sq. ft. It has a lively film programme interspersed with major events and festivals. The bulk of its revenue comes from its paying customers, and with the continuing sponsorship of the British Film Institute and others it is now self- sufficient and an important part of Bristol's cultural scene.

Significantly, the adjoining area has attracted a major office development for Lloyds Banks, and the remaining land is the subject of Bristol's exciting Millennium Bid, involving a science centre and electronic zoo, as well as a centre for performing arts. We have since proposed, as part of a study on how to equip the city centre to compete with the out of town development at Cribbs Causeway, that a new landmark visitor centre or booking office, with a glass pyramid and reflecting fountain, could form part of a new cultural and entertainment quarter linking the old and new centres together. Topic / Waterfronts

Exeter Riverside cr w ^ Exeter Riverside comprises the head of a c5 canal which was built in the 16th century ^ and the river, and groups of warehouses on CO £ either side of the river, together with what had become wasteland stretching over " some 16 acres. The land was largely in local authority ownership, and for years ^ arguments had raged over what should be S done to make the area attractive. In 1986 URBED were appointed with Niall Phillips Architects in competition with many other practices to draw up a master plan and 22 advise on how the area should be regenerated.

The plan divided the area into five distinctive "quarters", each with a different role. The historic quayside was cleared of traffic by creating a new car park on the other side, accessed by a striking pedestrian bridge. This in turn was financed by selling off sites for housing, and the developers were chosen through a limited architectural competition. At the same time the Maritime Museum, which had spread throughout the area, was concentrated around the canal basin, and revamped as "World of Boats". The empty warehouses were then turned into offices above shops and a pub. This development along with a number of other Ideas to extend projects was carried out through the Exeter Quay and Canal Trust, a pioneering maritime uses development trust set up by the city to take over historic buildings and to find new uses around the canal and financial packages. basin The resulting scheme has put the area 'on the map' for thousands of visitors, as well as creating homes and employment opportunities. The quayside won a Europa Nostra award and the whole regeneration process has been undertaken at relatively little cost to the local authority, but with the Council very much in control. The development shows how quality and relatively high density housing can be used to create places that are a pleasure to walk around, and how striking pedestrian bridges can create a sense of place and resolve circulation problems.

Cardiff Bay

The very lack of the resources of Bristol and Exeter has produced incremental development within a strategy which has helped to knit the waterside area back into the city. A mix of uses has been secured because there has not been enough capital to do anything else, and because a large number of different actors have been involved, including a number of community based initiatives.

However, the slowness of development, the government's distrust of local authorities, and the desire to maximise investment from Left: Exeter resolving the problems of linking different forms of activity in ways that encourage the Riverside use of alternatives to the private car. Waterside areas present a particular warehouses challenge because their catchment areas are intrinsically limited by the barrier water converted into presents. The basic problem is how to enable many more people to enjoy a natural new uses and environment without spoiling it. Instead of focussing on grand projects that may never Niall Phillips' be built, I believe we need to pursue grand ideas, but through a series of small projects, sketch of as they have, for example, in Barcelona. riverside The balanced incremental development approach can be made to work, as proposals linked demonstrated by our experience in areas such as Exeter and Rotherhithe or on the by new bridge. River Wandle, where we have promoted the development of Merton Abbey Mills with a Right: Cardiff Bay series of linked attractions within a 'heritage park'. The ingredients usually include concept looking housing, and watersides can support high density housing, often around courtyards, from city centre and located close to public transport nodes. The past can be made accessible by to high water bay creating small museums run by voluntary groups. Commercial centres can use leisure and retailing for their economic base to the private sector, has led to a number of activities to where they are most needed. generate activity and to re-use some of the 'grand projects' undertaken through Urban Perhaps, if the strategy had focussed on existing buildings. Most of the waterside Development Corporations. While there are creating a new park to link the city centre can be promoted as a linear park which some notable achievements, such as the with the Bay, and development had been provides places for walking and building up of Castlefield Park in planned over a 20 year time span, more contemplation. Manchester or the mix of uses to be found could have been achieved for less public along the Calls in Leeds, in both cases expense. A series of sustainable urban providing a lively zone for cultural activity of neighbourhoods, while not as dramatic, Finally, in the drive to redevelop wasteland all kinds, the pressure for quick results and could generate the confidence needed for areas, it is important that the investment is private investment on a grand scale can private investment. This is not to criticise not simply at the expense of drawing activity produce disappointing results, despite the the efforts of the Development Corporation away from existing centres. Development best of intentions. or the work of urban design and planning strategies for waterside areas cannot be consultants but to suggest a fundamental developed in isolation and improving the Cardiff Bay has invested heavily in change is needed in the way we evaluate linkages with the existing centre is often the consultants' studies and infrastructure, regeneration projects, particularly where first step to be taken. which have paid particular attention to urban watersides are concerned. quality. Indeed, the landscaping details around the waterside could have come from Conclusion one of the many excellent case studies Principles for sustainable urban published by the Waterfront Centre in neighbourhoods The British experience has shown that Washington. But in the drive to emulate waterside locations can be turned from dead Baltimore and Sydney, they may have Underlying the arguments over whether areas into lively places to live, work and play. missed out on the potential to make the development should be market led or But there is also a need for substantial most of Cardiff's heritage, including the planning driven is a much more pump-priming investment, which neither ever-changing tidal landscape, and a rich fundamental question about what kinds of developers nor local authorities can typically stock of existing buildings. Mount Stuart communities we should be creating or afford. The 'partnership approach', within a Square is an area with the character and maintaining. Instead of creating isolated long-term strategy for 'balanced incremental potential of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter zones of activity linked only by car, development' and with flagship creative re- and Bradford's Little Germany. Buildings environmental, economic and social use schemes in my view offers the best like the Coal Exchange could have been pressures will require us to design what our prospects of achieving good long-term used as a basis for growing cultural report Building to Last calls 'Sustainable results. industries organically and at much less Urban Neighbourhoods'. The four'c's of public cost than creating a new opera conservation, community, comfort and cost It would be wrong to think that the problems house. can then be applied to designing more involved in urban and economic compact settlements when walking and regeneration can ever be completely solved, The strategy seems to have been based cycling is feasible. and fatal to think that the answer lies in largely on the idea that creating a fixed either the public or private sectors. Rather, stretch of water, rather than a tidal bay, Urban design has a crucial role to play in as with a garden, diversity and order must would generate the values from new housing crossing the professional boundaries but it be reconciled, and continuing care put into and prestige offices that would justify the will only do so if it goes beyond using making the most of whatever is there. # public investment. Such a strategy drawings and language that illustrates assumes that amenity can be used to shift visions that will never be built. This means Nicholas Falk Topic / Waterfronts

c CT Michael Lowe of the Ove Arup 03 H D CD Partnership outlines the background to C/3 to' 7 fi> the Thames Strategy, the gathering of wc/T c 3 CD (A information, future opportunities and (Jl 3 c_ some of the key proposals. 24 ft fi> South' ft Charir

< St Geor Pir Royal Hospital Kew/ Brentford Chelsea $ _ Harbour\ < Kew Fulham * gT Syon House ® if Palace Football Ground ^ jj> Batten

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Richmond - \ ^ ® The aims of the strategy were to:- In June 1994, the Secretary of State for the • raise public awareness Environment announced that he would be • enhance environmental quality launching a study of the Thames between • protect areas of historic importance and the Royal Naval • promote high quality design of new College at Greenwich. "A visionary buildings and landscape document is needed... promoting a high • safeguard river-related employment quality of design and landscape along the generating uses River", he said. • improve access to the River

Teddington Lock The Ove Arup Partnership was The study was to be strategic in nature, commissioned by the Government Office for providing an overview of opportunities London in August 1994 to undertake a arising within the 30-mile stretch, rather than Kingston r ^ I detailed analysis of the River, prepare overall considering the development potential of design principles, and make particular sites. recommendations for draft planning guidance. The four month commission involved skills from within Arups in urban Background analysis Design, Town Planning, Landscape, Architecture, Transport Planning, Economics During data gathering, the Arup team and Tourism. consulted many organisations interested in the Thames, via discussion groups, The River Thames is one of London's major meetings and events. Fieldwork was largely assets. It has played a vital role in the undertaken from boat trips. These capital's history and is an important visitor background investigations examined:- attraction. Yet to many it is an under-used resource, and is often perceived as a barrier • the history of development along the and a psychological dividing line between Thames North and South London. • the evolution of decision-making bodies Enhancement Opportunities 7. 17. Tate Gallery Schedule of Landmarks 8. Corney Reach 18. Albert Embankment open circle and number 9. Hammersmith 19. South Bank Centre Important to the River Scene 10. 20. St Paul's frontage 1. Hampton Court Park 11. Fulham Palace Gardens 21. Bankside numbers in black circle 2. South of Kingston Bridge 12. East side 22. West side 3. Ham Lands 13. Gargoyle Wharf Site 23. Wapping 1. Hampton Court Palace 4. 14. Fulham 24. Westferry 2. Pumping Station 5. Brentford 15. Wandsworth 25. Millwall 3. St Raphael's Church 6. Duke's Meadow 16. Nine Elms 26. Deptford Creek 4. Kingston Church 5. St Alban's Church 6. St Mary's Church Canary Wharf/ 7. Limehouse 8. Marble Hill House St Pauls/ Bankside Tower/ 9. Star and Garter Home © Butler's Wharf 10. St Mathias Church 11. Kew Observatory 12. All Saints Church 13. 14. 15. St Anne's Church, Kew 16. St Georges Church 17. Steam Museum Tower 18. Mortlake Brewery 19. St Mary's Church 20. St Nicholas Church 21. St Paul's Church 22. Depository 23. Fulham Palace rBattersea 24. All Saints Church Power Station The main recommendations are:- 25. St Mary's Church, Putney a/ Chelsea 26. Chelsea Harbour Tower • identifying focal points of activity 27. St Mary's Church • improving the quality of urban design 28. Riverside Pagoda and architecture 29. Royal Hospital, Chelsea • creating a robust landscape strategy 30. Water Works, Chelsea • enhancing settings of key landmarks 31. Battersea Power Station • improving accessibility and cross-river 32. St George's Church pedestrian access 33. Vauxhall Cross • the river management regime • encouraging general environmental 34. Tate Gallery • the planning policy context improvements 35. 36. Information was also assembled in map 37. form on:- Focal Points of Activity 38. Houses of Parliament 39. Old County Hall • distribution of riverside land uses and The River Thames needs visual articulation 40. Shell Building development opportunities and punctuation along its length. There is a 41. New • accessibility along the banks, from the real opportunity to strengthen existing focal 42. Charing Cross Station River's hinterland and traffic use of the points and establish new 'places' at the 43. South Bank Centre Thames itself natural coincidence of accessibility and 44. National Theatre • areas of heritage and ecological activity. These locations have leisure and 45. importance tourism interest and/or are close to 46. St Brides Church • key landmarks visible traditional town centres of higher density 47. Bankside Power Station • building heights, urban form and mixed use areas. They generally have river 48. St Paul's Cathedral landscape character areas. piers, bridges and are in high accessibility 49. Station zones from public transport. 50. A continuous photographic survey was also 51. undertaken to provide a complete record, in Our proposal for strengthening these focal 52. Lloyds Building 1500 images, of riverside development and points or 'places' envisages establishing 53. Market environmental conditions. facilities at a river pier that incorporates a 54. riverbus stop, information centre, 55. Nat refreshment and toilet facilities. The riverbus 56. Hay's Galleria Future Opportunities stop should be of a striking design to act as 57. St Georges in the East a 'marker' on the River. They are seen as 58. St Pauls, Shadwell Our proposals for improving the quality of one of a series of 'markers' located at the 59. St Mary's, Shadwell urban design and of the environment along focal points. The design could be the 60. St Mary's, Rotherhithe the River is summarised on the Strategy subject of an architectural competition. 61. St Anne's Limehouse Plan. This is supported by a series of They could be financed by the Millennium 62. Canary Wharf design guidelines, presented as generic Fund or other Lottery monies so that they are 63. concepts. not subject to adverse commercial pressure. 64. Royal Naval College Topic / Waterfronts

Urban Design and Architecture Strong landscape treatment is recommended to establish continuity and The following considerations are expressed coherence where there is discordant and as design concepts and are illustrated by visually disruptive architecture. The River diagrams. Seine in Paris and the Rhone in Lyon are two examples where formal tree planting is used • Urban Fabric to give an appropriate civic quality. A positive relationship to the River should be encouraged by:- The building/landscape composition is a - permeability through street layout and vital part of establishing a quality river site planning environment. In locations such as - scale and massing of urban fabric Greenwich Naval College and Syon House, - appropriate architecture and landscape large scale planting is used to frame the treatment formal architecture and to enhance the 26 setting. • Site Planning Site layout should generate a positive river The relationship of public parkland to the relationship, develop a hierarchy of public River is a crucial design issue. Many parks and private spaces to increase identity and abut the Thames and the interface should security and make an appropriate urban be carefully treated. A screen of trees to composition. provide filtered views to and from the park can enhance the perception of space, as Mixed use should be encouraged, with well as allow for a defined walkway. Open particular emphasis on public uses at space that forms part of the River space is a ground floor level, in order to generate contrasting solution. activity along the riverside. The upper river reaches incorporate many • Relationship to River areas of informal landscape both on islands The building/landscape relationship to the and along the edge. The bank edge River is an important visual consideration: treatment must be appropriate to these - angled alignment generally destroys environments as well as the planting that is definition of the River space encouraged. Management programmes - orthogonal or parallel alignment reinforces should be implemented in order to provide a the River as a lineal space. sensible balance of plant life, habitats and visual interest. • Building Scale and Massing Scale and massing should be appropriate to The following considerations are expressed the location: as design concepts and are illustrated by Hfl/ \ iW\e Y<\iev{\Ae - disruptive building silhouettes should be diagrams. avoided as they destroy visual cohesion £ - balanced compositions should be • Road/River Relationship encouraged Situations where development and roadways - generally consistent building heights abut the River edge can cause exposed should be adopted, appropriate to windy conditions. Formal tree planting can particular river reaches. be introduced to segregate pedestrians from vehicular traffic, create greater visual continuity and improve the micro-climate. A Robust Landscape Strategy Appropriate management is necessary to maintain views from buildings. The landscape design and maintenance W\t> V& ^ regime plays a fundamental role in creating • Open Space/River mji\ an appropriate character for the River Relationship \ h'ktcrH • V VT \I0Y \ Thames. It must provide visual cohesion to Barrier planting adjacent to open space properly establish continuity throughout its should be discouraged as the River \ length. Landscape design proposals should relationship is destroyed. reflect local identity and enhance the character of the various river reaches Openings in planting screens can create through appropriate planting design and opportunities to provide 'events' such as choice of hard materials, features and river access, piers or minor landmarks finishes. without destroying the landscape environment. Managed planting can create Good planting design should be used to filtered views and establish a subtle perform the function of formalising and relationship between open space and the strengthening the edge, particularly in urban River. conditions and where roads abut the River. N, 4M WAMk. tY ^UWtoUh'dl hXcMeA

I1 A /

A range of landscape treatments at the River In rural or ecological zones, as well as open edge is considered desirable. For instance, areas associated with the River, a natural double lines of trees can provide a dramatic treatment is recommended. These could 27 framed walkway along the edge. vary from beaches to reinforced edges using masonry with sheet piling, depending upon A varied River edge that introduces a hydrological conditions. Conditions for stepped section at appropriate locations vegetation colonisation should be allows for natural seating particularly where encouraged. there is tidal change.

• Quality of Space Key landmarks and views Unmanaged planting can cause excessive shading, reduced surveillance and loss of Major buildings, largely historic, perform a views. Variety in planting layout can function of defining locations and places like introduce visual interest and offer focal points of activity. They create events opportunities for a range of river-related and orientate people in relation to their recreational activities. Riverside space surroundings. should be upgraded, as appropriate, and designed to improve shelter, maximise the It is critical that views of these landmarks use of good aspect and provide a variety of are maintained and improved, wherever sun and shade. possible, in order to strengthen their role in making the Thames a memorable • Bank Edge Treatment experience. Local views and settings of The River bank edge treatment should be buildings, boatyards or features which appropriate to its location, associated use enhance the local character of stretches of and hydrological requirements. the River should be protected. Landscape management and enhancement is an Sheet piling is only considered suitable in important issue to be considered in zones of industrial activity. The coping and strengthening these settings. handrail details are important design features. Careful consideration must be made of the scale, silhouette and layout of new In urban locations, dressed stone edges or developments. Historic churches which other masonry materials should be used. A usually have a distinctive tower or steeple, 10-15 degree batter is recommended with but are small in scale, are important careful consideration given to the coping, landmarks in the River scene. Analysis of using either a solid parapet or robust local views should be an essential part of handrail. Safety in terms of height, width any development proposal. and balustrade spacing must be an integral part of the design. Important cross-river views, usually on a formal axis, also assist in visually structuring In suburban locations, generally in the upper the River space. Landscape devices may reaches, a more sympathetic visual be necessary to indicate longer views that treatment is recommended. This could vary may be revealed only in particular positions. from a battered masonry edge to stone pitching, in order to indicate a more informal landscaped environment.

rural zones Topic / Waterfronts

Improved accessibility They are an essential component of the River Thames' commercial function and Improved access to and along the River is should remain and, where appropriate, be one of the basic objectives of the strategy. increased. However, some environmental improvements could be considered in these • Public transport occasions, where there is tension with In general terms, public mass transit adjacent users or pedestrian access is accessibility via British Rail and London blocked. Underground stations is good. However, some stretches of the River are less The location of existing working wharves is accessible and rely on bus routes to shown on the Strategy Plan. We compensate for these greater distances. recommend that all these locations should be designated as safeguarded wharf areas • Pedestrian access in order to provide for continued commercial 28 Pedestrian access along the River has been usage of the River. Such usage is essential largely established through a concerted if the River is to fulfil its potential as an 1/ implementation programme over the last 20 integral part of a sustainable transport wr years. Certain sections still require to be strategy for London, and to provide variety of completed and improved. Access to the interest to the River scene. river edge also requires further study, especially with any future development that 11 may block routes. An objective of greater General environmental 'permeability' needs vigorous application, in improvements order to physically relate the River to its surrounding environment. The detailed Detailed consideration of a range of design of pedestrian routes, their cross- environmental improvements is seen as an section edge condition with the River, integral part of future opportunities for materials, lighting and security are an integral part of the environmental enhancement of the Thames. These enhancement programme. include:- - lighting • Bridges and ferries - signs and information Increased cross-river pedestrian access - street furniture (either by bridge or ferry) is an important aim - art and sculpture of the strategy. Stretches of the River have - festivals and celebratory occasions 10 cycle and very limited access between banks. There is potential for improved pedestrian access in Some issues are related to implementation

pedestrian routes the Kew Gardens-Brentford area, although and maintenance, whilst others are to do the relative remoteness of the River is with management of on-going programmes.

should preferably probably appropriate to its character further upstream in the area. In the • Lighting

be physically central London zone at Charing Cross an The atmosphere created along the Thames important pedestrian link to the south bank at night is as important as in the daytime. A

separated could be established as a 'new major sense of drama should be an overall pedestrian bridge on the Thames for the objective in the urban stretches.

11 there should Millennium'. A new pedestrian bridge could be appropriate on the St Paul's axis to the A lighting strategy for the Thames should be be a separation new Tate Gallery at Bankside power station specially commissioned to include:- on the south side. - all bridges to be illuminated to enhance between private • Cyclists their structure.

space and public Access for cyclists, in parallel with pedestrian routes and, on occasions, - all riverside boulevards to be lit in a space independent of them, is an important issue. consistent manner, but not to adversely Some sections are well provided, but other affect residential properties. These could

12 raised sections do not permit cycle access. This is be an integral part of the developments. becoming increasingly relevant with

walkways can pressures to provide a more balanced - only buildings and other landmarks of transport system associated with 'green historical or architectural interest to be

offer views over policy' initiatives. illuminated.

high river walls • Commercial traffic - the central London zone of the Thames River accessibility for commercial traffic to have a special lighting character, e.g. must be maintained. In addition, all embankment edges could be lit. recreational and tourist boats must be permitted to expand trade in a viable - all proposals to minimise light pollution manner. Environmental enhancement does and maximise efficiency within a cost- not imply that industrial activities should be effective management programme. displaced because they are in conflict with an 'attractive environment'. • Signs A specially commissioned sign and Kim Wilkie describes the Thames information system could be commissioned, in order to establish a 'corporate identity' for Landscape Strategy' which covers the the Thames. It may have a theme colour and be extended into the areas adjacent to upstream Thames between Hampton the river in order to increase its presence. &> 3 and Kew and was launched in June Interpretation boards describing the history of the River at selected locations can a 1994. increase the 'sense of place'. The Thames through London has • Street furniture o increasingly become a focus for both A consistent range of furniture should be concern and optimism about the city. The considered. This would include benches, river has been identified as one of the litter bins, railings, lighting posts and other •u Capital's greatest but most undervalued features. The range could also adopt a resources and the most important natural consistent colour theme as for the sign and visual element in the Capital's unique system.

The Upstream Thames

The river between Hampton Court and Kew flows through one of the most remarkable metropolitan landscapes in the world. It is a unique combination of a natural landscape, with pastures and flood meadows; a formally designed landscape of avenues and vistas; a public landscape which has inspired painters, poets and composers since the Tudors; and a working landscape of boatyards, docks and commercial centres. Topic / Waterfronts

Although the Hampton to Kew stretch is only a part of the continuum of the whole river, it D seemed sensible to start the analysis of the Syon House Thames with a recognizable and set out on manageable unit. This stretch had been cardinal points defined by the three palaces (Hampton Intrusive block of flats Court, Richmond and Kew), positioned at significant bends in the river, which through SilverHall Neighbourhood their parks and patronage have shaped the Park link along character of the landscape over six Puke of River centuries. Much of the 17th and 18th NRA River century landscape structure still survives, Crane flood connecting the palaces and villas along and allevati on across the river and up through to the centre of London. Originally a 30 of Observatory from south private and privileged landscape, the area has become a haven for recreation and nature conservation, offering more publicly accessible open space and a larger expanse of Sites of Special Scientific Interest than any other part of London.

The Commission

Following a brief feasibility study in 1992, our practice was commissioned in February 1993 to draft a landscape strategy for the riverside between Hampton and Kew. The Strategy was jointly funded by the Countryside Commission, English Heritage and the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust, Only by trying to understand how these The Thames landscape has evolved over with contributions towards the final report elements interact with the memory or myths millennia and the elements of landscape from English Nature, the National Rivers of past settlement, can one begin to tease structure take centuries to mature. In Authority and private benefactors. out Pope's genius loci - the spirit of the drawing up a strategy it was important to place. look at least a hundred years ahead. Redesigning bank structures or the removal The Philosophy Because landscape is about the perceptions of intrusive buildings may seem impossibly of the people who live in a place and the expensive or impractical in the short term. The main aim of the study was to activities which bring a place alive, the local In a decade or two however, the situation understand the landscape in all its subtleties community is crucial to the identity and may be very different. Buildings become as a basis for any decisions which affect the character of an area. Just as former obsolete and banks require major repair environment. Landscape is a process of communities contributed to the landscape work. In the past, local authorities have perception, beyond the mere amalgamation we have inherited, so the involvement of even taken the decision to acquire land and of the geological, ecological and today's residents is central to the way the demolish obstructions to reveal significant architectural features on the ground. The river is evolving. Policies for the river views. The landscape is constantly evolving features only become landscape once they environment have to be based on an through the incremental changes of growth have been absorbed into the human mind intimate understanding of how people use and decay as well as major investments by and translated through filters of association. the Thames and the special associations private landowners and public bodies. What We do not, for example, just register a water which the landscape holds for them. is critical is the long-term vision for the city, meadow as a flat area of damp grass. We Conservation and enhancement policies for planning for a time when the apparently tend to see it as a precious expanse of something as dynamic and interactive as impossible can be achieved. space which has been managed for landscape can only work if they are based generations, harnessing the river for on a broad agreement among the people irrigation and fertility, and creating a unique involved. habitat of rare plants and wildfowl. In some ways water meadows have become a The river, so often the administrative symbol of an ideal balance between man boundary and peripheral edge to planning and nature. policy, is really the focus of the geological, ecological, cultural and visual landscape. The complicated cultural and historical Traditionally the source of water, food, associations of an area and the activities - fertility and transportation, the river provides both human and wildlife - which continue to the key to the patterns of settlement, bring a place alive, turn land into economic activity, wildlife habitats and 'landscape'. Though the word originated as access for recreation throughout the city. a painter's term and has tended to be The landscape does not stop at borough closely associated with visual impact, all five boundaries and nor should planning senses are involved. Landscape is not policies. static and elements of sound, smell and physical awareness each have an effect. The Approach BRENTFORD Our study operated at both sub-regional and detailed reach levels, analysing how the area functions as an integral part of the city, while at the same time trying to grasp some of the more fleeting and indefinable qualities of the landscape. The Strategy was aiming to produce a set of environmental policies, as well as specific project proposals to reinstate and enhance the landscape, which could be adopted by local authorities and private landowners. First, the Thames corridor sub-region from Hampton to Kew was viewed as a whole, looking at particular 31 resources and issues for concern. And second, the area was divided into a series of twelve landscape character reaches, each with its own particular identity and proposals.

Consultation

Throughout the study there was consultation and co-operation, both at a national level, with the major government agencies contributing funds and expertise, and locally with the four Boroughs devoting time, knowledge and commitment to the project. The Strategy was steered by a joint body of local and national authorities and informed by a series of individual consultations with each of the organizations. The research into the landscape history was undertaken by the Garden History Society, partly funded by the Department of National Heritage.

At the same time, landowners, local interest groups and interested individuals became closely involved in drawing up the Strategy. A series of interviews with landowners and local interest groups identified specific issues of particular concern and two major meetings, for all those bodies interested in the project, acted as a forum for collective proposals.

Implementation

Ultimately the responsibility for wider consultation and implementation of the Strategy will lie with the local authorities, statutory agencies and landowners. Many EAST of the Strategy's findings, based on fresh survey, research and targeted consultation work, re-iterate and co-ordinate policies which already exist in the Local and Unitary Development Plans. A principal purpose TO* has been to provide the local authorities with 1 ^ SL the information they need to plan the Thames Area of Special Character (amenity areas of metropolitan importance) as a national resource which stretches beyond individual boundaries. #

Kim Wilkie Topic / Waterfronts

The London Docklands Development Corporation was designated by the government in 1981 to secure the permanent regeneration of the former dockland area of East London.

a To achieve this the Government provided:

o • financial resources; • development control powers; • land acquisition, through vesting or CPO powers.

In response to the Government's remit, the 32 o Corporation Board set itself the following o objectives; To rapidly improve the image of Docklands, not only by undertaking programmes of physical works throughout the area, but also ST by creating confidence in the continuing 3 improvements to come; a To use its financial resources primarily as a level to attract private investment, given that (A the amount of public money available was small in relation to the size of the task;

To acquire as much derelict and vacant public sector land as resources permitted, in order to undertake the necessary reclamation, servicing and site assembly;

To bring the roads and public transport network up to the standard of other parts of London;

To bring about significant improvements in choice and quality of housing, community amenities, employment and training, without undertaking such work directly.

Since 1981 the population of Docklands has increased from 39,400 to 68,000 and the number of jobs has risen from 27,200 to 65,800. 18,700 new dwellings have been built and 2.3 million sq. metres of new commercial buildings have been completed, allowing the number of businesses to increase from 1,000 to 2,350.

The development context varies considerably across the 22 sq km which make up the Urban Development Area (UDA). The fine urban grain of medieval development focused in the areas of the Bermondsey Riverside, Wapping and Limehouse contrast dramatically with the vast, largely vacant areas of land and water which make up the Royal Docks.

Keen to create a development of interest and diversity based around the concept of city districts, the development policies of the Corporation have sought to build on the character of each development area and so avoid anonymity that would result from the imposition of a single unified development across the whole area. Development Frameworks Design Studies

The Corporation is the regeneration and The regeneration of such a large and diverse development control authority for Docklands metropolitan area, significant parts of which whilst the Docklands Boroughs - Tower are already settled, requires a sensitive Hamlets, Southwark and Newham - retain approach. New building is required to mend the responsibility for statutory plan making. and extend the existing urban grain. A large However, the Corporation is expected by number of sites in Docklands exist within Government to make known its planning established or emerging residential and views by issuing policy statements, plans commercial areas where the Corporation and briefs for part or all of its area. The seeks to consolidate and enhance the area's local authorities are expected to take these visual character. views into consideration when preparing statutory plans. Circumstances vary considerably - some infill sites need to be developed to reinforce 33 London Docklands has many large building lines and will be constrained by the development sites for which comprehensive height and massing of adjoining properties. design and planning briefs are required. Other sites offer the opportunity to be Such sites offer the opportunity for the developed to provide focus and orientation. creation of complete new city districts. The This does not mean that excessive levels of development context for this work is development will be supported in such established by area development locations, but that the site offers the frameworks which are prepared for each of opportunity of a distinct design solution, say, the principal development areas and have to acknowledge an important gateway or three main purposes: create a local landmark. Such opportunities must be designed to ensure that the new • to provide a clear statement of the development enhances its setting and can Corporation's policies for the be properly integrated with adjoining, regeneration of the area as a existing and future developments. Urban comprehensive and coherent input into design studies need to be prepared prior to the statutory planning process; detailed building design commencing to confirm and justify the site's suitability for a • to inform people who live and work in the particular design approach. These studies area that the Corporation has considered explore opportunities for the creation or the future development of the area in a enhancement of the public realm within and comprehensive manner, and to provide in the proximity of the development site, as an opportunity for them to comment; well as establishing clear architectural guidelines. • to inform future investors, both developers and people who are moving to the area, of the Corporation's Conservation Areas aspirations for the area; thus providing assurance and continuity. The regeneration of London Docklands was initiated primarily for economic and social Frameworks provide broad development reasons but it created a unique opportunity guidelines which may, where appropriate, be to conserve the area's architectural heritage, followed up with urban design studies and to invigorate the historic urban fabric with development briefs for specific areas and new activity, and to enhance the character individual sites. The guidelines and and appearance of those areas of special objectives build upon the established architectural interest. From the outset the character of the area represented by major Corporation took the view that the surviving buildings, landscapes and street patterns. areas of architectural and historic interest, including the remaining dock basins, should Of the development areas, the Royal Docks be preserved and integrated into the area's represents the greatest challenge. It has reconstruction and provide a link between been necessary for the development the past and the future. The designation of frameworks prepared by the Development 18 conservation areas has ensured a stable Corporation to create a new urban planning environment and allowed framework plan based around the enclosed landowners and developers to have waters of the Royal Victoria, Royal Albert confidence and reasonable certainty of the and King George Vth Docks which provide status of their land or buildings. Equally the context. These plans identify the key important they have provided an assurance development concentrations, sites and to the public that such areas will be linkages, providing the basis of landscape protected and enhanced. # and transport infrastructure for these vast new development sites. Topic / Waterfronts

Merseyside's famous waterfront has always With over 5 million people visiting the site a Below is shown formed a major part of the area's business year this is among Britain's most popular activities. In the nineteenth century the tourist attractions and is a major focus for Albert Dock, a booming docks contributed to the city's the 14,000 people who are now employed in wealth through the import of exotic goods Merseyside's tourism industry. mixed use such as spices and cotton. This was followed by the success of the ocean going development of liners launched by Cunard travelling to Business and Retail Parks Canada and America. Today the waterfront commerce, is as significant as ever, forming a major Another of MDC's successful regeneration focus for the city's business and leisure projects is the Brunswick Business Park. tourism, leisure activities. Located on the South Liverpool waterfront it is centred around a selection of attractive and a major The regeneration of the waterfront has been dock buildings. The mixture of old and new led by Merseyside Development has proved a winning combination with over visitor attraction. Corporation. Established in 1981 it has 600,000 sq ft occupied. The Business Park proved the catalyst for regeneration in the has attracted a diverse selection of To the right is area, attracting a total of £400m of private companies from manufacturers to investment. The waterfront was probably at distribution groups employing almost 2,000 shown Liverpool its lowest ebb when MDC took over people. The combination of quality space at

Links with North America have remained strong and MDC has capitalised on this with a strategic marketing campaign throughout the States and Canada. PriceCostco is an example of an American company which was attracted to Merseyside as a result of this drive. Construction started on a 35 membership warehouse club in North Liverpool at the beginning of the year. This major development is due to open in autumn this year.

The most recent development to be announced on the waterfront is a £20 million retail park at the former Herculaneum Dock. The Riverside Retail Park will comprise 200,000 square feet of retail space with 11 main retail units. It will also have restaurants, craft workshops and a petrol filling station, providing major employment opportunities for the region. The scheme, which is funded by Berkeley Commercial and developed jointly by Capital and Albemarle and Berkeley Commercial, will be opened within 12 months of construction.

Pier Head

One of Liverpool's waterfront's most famous landmarks was relaunched in May this year when MDC's Chairman, Sir Desmond Pitcher 'handed back' the rejuvenated Pier if i Head to the City represented by Lord Mayor of Liverpool. MDC spent three years and ? •• ; • £3.5 million regenerating the home to the 'three sisters': the , the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. The space has now been cleared of the city's bus depot and incorporates a seven acre public open space with lawns, walkways, a new loop road, and a bandstand. The relaunch was marked with a ceremony where trees were planted along the commemorating the Canadian ships lost during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Future growth looks set to continue with the development of Princes Dock involving a £100m project incorporating office space, residential apartments and leisure facilities. The regeneration which MDC has carried out on the waterfront and the investment it has attracted has led to the area once again being the pride of the city with a waterfront to rival anywhere else in the world. #

— Topic / Waterfronts

"0

A suapanOad walkway K B (omul gtrotn C car par* • accaaa via dockyard 3 0 coaatland common o

36

o o "O

3 Established in 1993 as a short, five year life Proposed uses include marine-related leisure, Above: landscape

The Access and car parking strategies are currently the subject of a Public Inquiry. The Royal Fine Arts are also currently viewing the proposals.

The Royal William Yard

The Royal William Yard is an impressive piece of townscape in its own right. The buildings have an extremely strong architectural character and presence.

Because of their scheduled status, there will be very limited opportunity for alterations to the buildings themselves and the main focus for change will be reinforcing the quality of the space between them.

Here, contemporary design for railing, street furniture etc will be used, rather than solutions which are merely a pastiche of A number of options were formulated and The Panel felt that the original proposals to heritage styles. The idea of a sculpture park presented for public consultation. These provide a diagonal link road between within the grounds is also currently being ranged from a major new road link which Cremyll Street and Durnford Street to considered. skirted the waterfront to proposals which complete the one-way circuit were alien to utilised the existing street pattern. the character of the grid. It promoted further Because of the Yard's secure form, with its investigation into an alternative solution, high perimeter wall, the PDC has identified The proposals had to address the which resulted in a Circus road form. This the need for further pedestrian links with the dichotomy between traffic engineering more readily integrates into the existing grid surrounding area. Following detailed requirements and the integration of pattern and provides the opportunity for a discussion with English Heritage, the PDC is proposals into the existing tight urban grain positive landscape space at the entrance to promoting two new openings in the wall and of the simple grid of streets and cross the peninsula. a linking walkway and bridge within the yard. streets. This has been the subject of a limited design competition and the PDC is currently The PDC has responded to local residents' Parking in detailed discussion with SMP/Atelier 1 concerns that this development would lead with David Marks and Julia Barfield. to 'over-gentrification' of the area and has Re-use of Royal William Yard is dependent agreed to retain various existing low key on resolving the major issue of car parking. Design Co-ordinator, Phil Howl explains, "We uses, such as boat storage. The Corporation's consultants have want to use the very best of local, national identified the need for approximately 950 and international expertise to promote Concerns relating to car parking and cars in close proximity to the Yard to service healthy discussion and ensure we come up garaging in the area are also being its needs. The Yard itself, bounded by its with balanced solutions. In everything we addressed through detailed negotiations perimeter wall is only capable of do, our criteria is for high quality between the PDC and individual residents. accommodating approximately 250 cars if contemporary designs which promote new As part of this process, proposals now the corporation's goal of creating a uses for buildings and spaces." include an opportunity for further residential pedestrian dominant environment is to be development to occur along Cremyll Street. achieved. It seems to be an approach which is working, with the PDC already having Detailed design for the area has been The area identified to accommodate the secured the commitment of London and undertaken by Frank Graham and Plymouth additional 700 cars is the adjacent Western General and Tay Homes to developing a based consultants, Form Design, in order to King Headland, which offers superb views substantial proportion of the Yard. flesh out proposals resulting from the earlier across the waterfront and has traditionally strategic work. been used as an open recreational area for "Our ultimate aim is to put Plymouth's finest the general public. examples of architecture back into the This process has been aided by the public domain where it can be used to best Corporation's own Design Panel, who have In order to minimise impact of the existing serve the needs of the depleted local helped to give weight to key Urban Design landscape, current proposals are for a five economy. It is this which provides the spur issues. The Panel includes Ted Cullinan, level subterranean car park. These to finding the most appropriate urban design John McAslan, Sherban Cantacuzino, Mike proposals are being supplemented with an solutions and this which will help the PDC Brindley and Adrian Gale. additional 500 space car park on the and Plymouth to ultimately succeed as a outlying edges of the Stonehouse major waterfront city." # conservation area which will be linked by a shuttlebus service to the Yard. Book Reviews

A proposed Place and Local Identity: This 'de facto' local space and A Study of Factors in its focal definition deserves 'integral Local Spatial Identity greater recognition for its lack of London Planning Advisory correspondence with ward neighbourhood' in Committee, September 1994 boundaries. Such evidence may be found not only in North Berkeley From 'urban renewal' to 'urban Southwark but in most other regeneration', labels of the 60s parts of our towns and cities California from or the 90s, the debate rolls on. also. Is this the most significant 'Notions of neighbourhood and finding in the study - an 'Living the Dream' community' is the theme of this underlying defect at the heart of study, asking important our local government system? in 'Earth to Spirit' questions and putting forward useful ideas. But how far does Neighbourhoods define 38 it advance the state of the art? themselves, they are lesser parts of a greater whole - the Recent evidence shows, yet (local) town itself. Patterns of again, that government efforts to neighbourhood are mostly promote and support urban determined therefore by radial regeneration remain deeply forces of attraction exercised by flawed and sometimes adverse those same town centres along in their impact on local principal lines of access. populations. The study Perceptions of neighbourhood compares a varied literature, must therefore essentially be encouraging the development of segmental parts of the sphere of hopefully better practices in the influence of the High Street. recognition, renewal or fostering Earth to Spirit - In Search His objective can be seen in his of local community. In the light of such natural of Natural Architecture definition of a deep ecological observations, ward boundaries David Pearson, Gaia Books Ltd, approach. "...Shallowecology A focused look at the residents are haphazard and arbitrary. London 1994 is more concerned with halting of North Southwark and North They obscure more appropriate £11.99 pollution and the depletion of Kensington is described. This boundaries of public concern world resources... deep ecology, reveals their perception and and the historic role of local David Pearson's previous book on the other hand, focuses on understanding of local centres in serving local was entitled The Natural House' changing the way people think. neighbourhood, with populations. This disjunction, and this book develops his Individuality, self-sufficiency, implications for better structures this lack of convergence of interest in holistic design autonomy, creative diversity and and processes to involve people focus disempowers local reflecting the three major an integrated approach - these in the management of change communities. The democratic aspects of ecology, health and are the watchwords of a deeper and in the control of local process is fatally flawed, and spiritual awareness. His search ecological awareness." events. with it the accountability and is for an architecture in harmony credibility of local authorities, with nature and whilst many Whilst many of the illustrations The nature of community since the 'public arena' in which urban designers may feel this is and text relate to individual remains subject to endless to voice local concerns remains separate from their own structures the references to past examination and dispute which confused. The quality of local concerns it is the potential of forms of communities such as the study compares. Perhaps service and amenity suffers in extending this approach from at Catal Huyuk in Turkey, current such absence of consensus consequence and a vicious individual buildings to forms such as Arcosanti and itself fosters and reinforces the circle of disenchantment and communities that is significant. philosophers such as Hassan elusiveness of community. The impotence sets in. Some small Fathy and Charles Correa quest remains, however, a part only of this reality is visible The book combines the emphasise the relevance to the persistent theme which in the regretful observation that inspiration of superb annotated wider environment. increasing social disorder "present administrative illustrations with small sections makes more urgent. The study boundaries do not necessarily of text analysing the It is an inspiring book and those makes a courageous leap in provide the correct parameters characteristics of previous who read it will heighten their seeking to reconcile perceptions for data collection". archetypes, healing consciousness about what can of wider communities of interest architecture, harmony with the be achieved in creating green with that intuitive sense of local The study underlines the need land, vernacular wisdom and environments today - either in community to which so many for interdisciplinary perspectives cultural identity; the last section new forms or conserving the stubbornly aspire. whilst recognising that such a entitled 'Living the Dream' existing fabric. 'holistic approach' remains shows how the ideals of a green The need for an essential grasp beyond proper reach in the approach are being applied in John Billingham of the diversity of local issues is absence of 'a definitive set of different parts of the world and stressed. The LPAC study factors'. The way forward here following that useful references, illustrates tightly drawn local must lie with the evidence a bibliography and a glossary boundaries within which uncovered in North Southwark, are included. residents define their local that local town centres are the territories. Whilst a sample focus of what again could be population of North Southwark the primary definitive, political draws varying perimeters, they unit, subject to a suitably share however a common focus comprehensive frame of on the Borough High Street. reference. Such a frame lies within the Modernity and Housing The book asks how the design Street Trams for London multi-levelled hierarchy of need Peter G. Rowe, 1993, MIT of modern housing can be Chris Wood, CILT, 1994 embracing ever widening Press successful, and against a £29.50 spheres of influence and £40.50 background of social, cultural service. The paradigm is and 'expressive' criteria uses Trams disappeared from the essentially ecological, in line This is a rare book. At a time case studies from what he streets of London in 1952. I was with references in the LPAC when much architectural identifies as the two pivotal a toddler at the time and can study, translatable into ordered publishing is underpinned by periods in the last century. The vaguely recall the rumble, wheel sets and sub-sets of data - the the vanity press and academic first is 1920-30, when mass squeal and wirescape. Today systemic approach. On such publishing often measured by production, big business and trams are making a comeback. foundations, management and width rather than depth, Peter corporate culture combined The first generation, both built democratic processes at yet Rowe has produced a book with an optimism and (Docklands) and planned higher levels of public need may which offers a deeply confidence in the future to build (Croydon), run mostly on estates in the manner modern then follow. considered perspective upon disused railway lines, although the forces which have shaped movement and mass housing a short section of Croydon 39 on an unprecedented scale. In The LPAC study is a lengthy and urban housing over the last Tramlink will be running on- the US seven million houses comprehensive position century, giving an analysis of street. The Centre for were built during the decade. statement, touching on and the political, social and Independent Transport The detailed case studies are advancing many emerging economic influences on Research in London (CILT) Sunnyside Gardens in New ideas in the field of urban contemporary housing and would like the next generation of York, Romerstad in Frankfurt- management, of which the need urbanism. trams to be essentially street arm-Main, and Kiefhoek in for an ecological model such as running and has argued its case Rotterdam. in a well presented document. that described may be crucial. Two points should be made at The study addresses a plethora the outset. This book is really of significant yet incompletely as concerned with the city and The second period identified is CILT supports its case with understood factors to which this city living as it is about 1970-80, when a climate of details and photographs of short review can do less then housing. As Rowe points out, uncertainty and instability gave several European models: justice. George Nicholson, a one of the most damaging rise to an atmosphere where Amsterdam, Gothenburg, principal contributor, himself political practices of modern local context and participation Stockholm, Oslo, Paris and further acknowledges that the times has been to see were more highly valued than Zurich. Some of these cities LPAC study does not provide all programmes for living notions of efficiency of have recently brought back the the answers. It does however environments implemented as production. Key references are tram; others have had trams for raise many important questions. housing, rather than urbanism. the Byker Redevelopment in many years but have recently Secondly, it is not a pattern Newcastle, the Malagueira introduced new vehicles or new Nor can it be said that central book to be kept by the drawing Quarter in Evora, Portugal, and on-street measures to improve government yet takes local board, but a history of urban Villa Victoria in Boston's South services. There is a discussion community into more than token housing which offers the reader End. These studies should not of both the benefits derived and the lessons to be learned. account. If, however, a better an analysis which might be obscure the fact that a great Manchester is also mentioned social and economic balance is used as a signpost to where number of projects are cited to and one lesson here has been to be sought, then better we are heading. develop Rowe's analysis, and the visual impact of the forest of targeting remains one essential 45 profiles of selected housing projects are described in the poles that support the overhead if elusive element. A total Peter G. Rowe is Professor of appendix. power supply. By contrast in approach and an ecological Architecture and Urban Design European cities the wirescape approach can be brought and Dean of the Graduate has been mounted directly onto together only through School of Design at Harvard This is not an easily accessible building facades, including recognition that overall University. Previous books book, but an essential addition listed buildings, tastefully. strategies must themselves be include Design Thinking and to any library which seeks to the aggregate total of lesser Making a Middle Landscape. address the forces shaping the needs, at local levels. Such a This 400 page work is printed built environment of the western CILT does not produce a tram fundamental approach through in black and white, with a clarity world through the twentieth master plan for London, 'spatial ordering' may attract the of layout which is a joy to read. century. I read this book recognizing that this is the role support of central government if It is not illustrated with posed immediately after finishing of the statutory authorities. it can be seen for what, at root, architectural shots but with Peter Katz 'The New Urbanism Rather, it suggests a number of it is, the harnessing of the wider candid contemporary - Towards an Architecture of potential routes and networks 'free market' to intermediate and photographs from the periods Community', which offers a and assesses the physical local market levels where social, reviewed, accompanied by collection of mainly residential suitability of a sample together political and economic simple line drawings. projects which have emerged with a broad estimate of their imperatives may command their from current values. It would cost. In so doing, it throws due, local weight. be interesting to hear Professor down the gauntlet to the Rowe place these statutory authorities and we now Barry Fine berg contemporary trends in a look forward to their response. historical perspective, and I suspect it is this deliberate A good buy, but it is a pity the omission of the current scene photographs are not in colour. # which will restrict interest in his book. Tim Catchpole

Roger Evans Practice Profile

Despite obvious historic and geographic differences, the towns of High Wycombe &> and Buxton have much in common. Both 3 towns attract commuters from nearby cities, both have considerable historic interest and both are market towns and district centres a for the rural hinterlands of the Chilterns and (A the Peak District respectively. Ill-considered 1960s town centre developments and heavy o through traffic affect both towns and High Street trade in recent years has been fi) depressed due to changes in shopping patterns and out of town developments. •o

40 (D In both instances, Landscape Design Associates were commissioned by the local council to undertake feasibility studies and designs to improve the town centre environments. Both councils recognised the (D important links between quality of environment and commercial prosperity.

In the study for High Wycombe in 1989, the Wycombe concept of leisure and commerce hand in hand was developed, to be realised through Plan of western > a programme of phased improvements including pedestrianisation of key streets end of High Street (A and spaces, upgrading of the setting for 0) notable historic town centre buildings and and perspective re-introducing landscape features such as a O stretch of the culverted River Wye. of Church Square o High Wycombe is a typical English market showing the Little town torn apart in the 60s by relief roads and incongruous redevelopments. The Market House and preparation of the improvement strategy was commissioned at the same time as All Saints Church (D Wycombe District Council undertook other (fi town centre initiatives, including the and new paving refurbishment of the very dominant Octagon Shopping Centre, and the sympathetic arrangements. redevelopment of key town centre sites. Right: Spring At the heart of the town 'sitting at the Quality remains the hallmark, with clay western end of the broad High Street are blocks and Blanc de Bierges paving Gardens, Buxton. three closely associated historic buildings, complementing the Yorkstone, napped flints All Saints Church, the Little Market House and Denner Hill setts used in the historic Perspectives (designed by Adam) and the Guildhall. This core. A range of items of street furniture grouping forms the traditional focus of the were developed to meet the particular needs looking towards town and represents the principal remnants of the variety of public spaces and uses, of its historic core. The strategy recognises including market stalls, bollards and high glazed canopy the importance of this 'historic core' as level planters and canopies which were representing the principal remnants of the aimed at extending the 'urban greening' into projecting from traditional focus of the town. Also as it sits the most difficult and pressured of public at the hub of the commercial activity of the spaces. Spring Gardens town, it was the ideal place to commence improvement works. As the improvement strategy is gradually centre and implemented, a greater variety of spaces are Using a combination of traditional high opened up to primarily pedestrian use. This indicating new quality materials and detailing to shopfronts, increases the opportunity to develop the paving and infill buildings, the intention was concept of the town centre becoming an street paving and to complement and strengthen the image of 'urban park' where business, shopping, the town and signal to all, and especially the leisure and recreation combine into a vibrant street furniture. traders and businesses, the Council's network of urban activity. confidence in the town centre and its commitment to creating a shopping and business environment of the highest quality. considerably raise the profile and image of the whole shopping centre (both the shopping centre and the street share the same name making marketing easier and more effective).

Key principles which underlie the design thinking in both cases include:

• Sensitively designed traffic management and traffic calming schemes.

• Continuity of design, such as surfacing and signage, aimed at knitting together discordant built form.

• Designing a high quality setting for historic buildings and other features with the intention of generating positive change outwards from these key points.

• Creating visual sequences which take advantage of existing qualities, repair damaged views and develop new points of focus in the town.

• Respecting vernacular traditions and incorporating traditional elements of detail, where appropriate, into contemporary design.

• Enhance the genius loci by extending the use and heightening the impact of natural materials and local features by actual and symbolic means.

• Exploring commercial opportunities through design, e.g. appropriate siting of seats, signage and advertising opportunities.

Projects of this nature are multi-faceted and require a flexible and opportunist approach to design. The role of design consultant is as much a catalyst for change and development, as it is designing to an Spring Gardens, Buxton town for those who enter from the east. established brief. Even orchestrating the Once again, the need to combine the scheme over a long time period can prove Pedestrianisation and traffic calming of activities of business, shopping, leisure and difficult due to the vagaries of budgets and Spring Gardens and Terrace Road in the recreation with the added dimension of politics. But, as in High Wycombe and centre of Buxton was the focus for this study tourism has led to adopting the concept of Buxton, the designer does have the potential in 1992. The upland Spa town noted for its the street becoming a linear 'urban park'. to start the ball rolling in a creative and waters, buildings, parks and gardens, its sensitive way through realising aspects of festivals and the beautiful Peak District The design response has been to reflect the the overall strategy and illustrating future National Parks which virtually envelop it three principal industries of the town, water, possibilities. # inspired the concept for a leisure street in stone and tourism in the character and form which surface pattern and features of of this linear urban park. Water and stone Landscape Design Associates interest encourage the public to linger on features combine with paving and street 17 Minster Precincts route between car parks and other visitor furniture details, which establish a festive Peterborough PE1 1XX attractions. mood to the street. While the proposals are Tel: 01733 310471 constrained by finance, the emphasis is Fax: 01733 53661 Terrace Road, The Quadrant and Spring again on quality underpinned by a clear Gardens are the centre of retail activity in the respect for details and materials which Contacts: John Dejardin DipLA ALI town. Spring Gardens, the main shopping reflect the traditions of the town while Chris Royffe MA DipLA ALI street unfortunately declines in architectural recognising that the town must appear and retail quality the further it extends from confident and progressive. Terrace Road. The principal objective of the proposals is to reverse this decline and raise The recognition that environmental quality the environmental quality to attract shopping makes good commercial sense has led to a activity and greatly improve the image of the series of joint initiatives which will Practice Profile

Urban Design: A mechanism for As the emphasis of projects moves to Below: Urban delivering quality in inner cities 'delivering' of quality, the need to view an area of city in a more co-ordinated way Design framework Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool's Chinatown, ownership issues, audits, capacity Development area < and the Albert Dock. thresholds, market assessments, development opportunities, tax and licence Right: view of The area, much of which was previously in issues, and urban design guidelines are

Bold Street

Duke Street However it is not only a physical plan but a concept which promotes a partnership approach between public and private sectors and the community.

The community's self-help projects have been taken on board. Sites earmarked for monocultural development have been appraised and alternative, more flexible mixed-use buildings have been proposed to take account of the volatility of the market, ever-changing specifications, and the need to create contained open space. Market assessments have built on the idea of proximity, so a new college, offices, workshops, student housing, and restaurants, shops and cafes are all seen as synergetic. Urban design guidelines were prepared for derelict sites, setting out a series of principles designed to facilitate urban encounter on the one hand, and appropriate mass, volume, height and so on on the other. High density, low car ownership projects were encouraged, in spite of the rigidity of local parking standards, to take advantage of a newly introduced bus service. Over 2,500 jobs are expected to be created.

To this is added the idea of a mechanism for 'stewardship' - the constructive husbanding and directing of resources for the benefit of those living and working in the area. The plan calls for a partnership Trust Company which comprises the main players as well as local residential and business communities and land owners. It is only by generating a common set of objectives that a common vision can be established.

What does this tell us about urban design? Urban design has been a key tool in tackling these issues of liveability. Urban design has encouraged a more integrated view that recognises the interdependencies of decisions.

Where does this leave the urban designer? In this situation the urban designer is dealing with small scale issues at one end of the spectrum and overall strategic elements at the other, both at the same time. There are no grand designs, no large scale physical interventions. It is working with the grain, with the people, with the different professionals, with the funds. A complex and layered approach. #

Llewelyn-Davies Brook House 2Torrington Place London WC1E7HN Tel: 0171 637 0181 Fax: 0171 637 8740

Contact: Jon Rowland AADipl MA RIBA David Walton BA MRTPI FIHT Practice Index

^ Directory of The ASH Consulting Group Burrell Foley Fischer DEGW London Ltd cr 140A The Broadway 15 Monmouth Street, Porters North 8 Crinan Street 03 Didcot, Oxon 0X118RJ London WC2H9DA London N1 9SQ ° practices and (also in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Tel: 0171 836 5097 Tel: 0171 239 7777 w Fax: 0171 379 6619 Fax: 0171 278 3613 cq' Manchester) § urban design Tel: 01235511481 Contact: John Burrell MA AADip RIBA (also at Glasgow, Manchester, Berlin, C/5 Fax: 01235 819606 FRSA Brussels and other European cities) Contact: Simon Rendel MA (Oxon) MICE Specialisms: Urban regeneration and Contact: Ken Baker DipArch RIBA o, courses ALI Arts and Cultural buildings - Museums, 01 Galleries, Theatres, Cinemas. Planning and Urban Design across e. subscribing to Landscape design of urban spaces and Redevelopment of Redundant Estate Europe. Urban regeneration strategies. streets. Upgrading housing, industrial Land, Urban housing. New settlements. Civic Design. New communities and CD land and transport corridors. Ecology New design in Historic Contexts. green field development. Research and Tourism studies. Waterfront buildings and strategies. briefing for complex projects. 01 this index Innovative Urban Design and Planning approaches. ECD Architects and This directory W S Atkins Planning Consultants Woodcote Grove, Ashley Road Energy Consultants Epsom, Surrey KT18 5BW CAMP 5 11-15 Emerald Street 44 provides a service Tel: 01372 726140 35 Alfred Place London WC1N3QL Fax: 01372 743006 London WC1E7DP Tel: 0171 405 3121 Tel:0171 3233717 Fax: 0171 405 1670 to potential clients Contact: Joanna Chambers BA BTP MRTPI Fax: 0171 580 6080 Contact: David Turrent BArch RIBA Contact: David Rock BArch when they are Multi-disciplinary practice of urban CertTP (Dunelm) RIBA FCSD FRSA ECD Architects specialise in the design planners, landscape designers, transport of energy efficient buildings and advise planners, urban designers, architects Master planning and analysis, small on the environmental aspects of new looking for and environmental planners, specialising town and village regeneration, physical developments using the Breeam in Master Plans, Development planning, building and area assessment method. specialist Frameworks and Concepts, enhancement, expert witness, Development Briefs, Environmental architecture consultancy, policy Assessment, Environmental formulation, marketing and 'making it EDAW CR Planning professional advice Improvements, Town Centre renewal, happen'. 80-82 Grays Inn Road Traffic Management and Contaminated Holborn, London WC1X8NH on projects land. Tel: 0171 404 6350 Philip Cave Associates Fax: 0171 4046337 5 Dryden Street Contact: David Keene BA Dip TP MRTPI involving urban Bell Fischer Covent Garden Jason Prior BA Dip A ALI Landscape Architects London WC2E9NW Also at Glasgow G2 5QY design and related 160 Chiltern Drive Tel: 0171 829 8340 Tel: 0141 221 5533 Surbiton Fax: 0171 240 5800 Fax: 0141 221 7789 Surrey KT5 8LS Contact: Philip Cave BSc Hons MA (LD) Contact: Doug Wheeler matters and to Tel: 0181 390 6477 ALI And at Colmar, FRANCE Fax: 0181 399 7903 Tel: 89 23 92 02 students and Contact: Gordon Bell DipLA ALI Design led practice seeking innovative Fax: 89 24 20 94 yet practical solutions. Large scale site Contact: Francis Crews Landscape architecture, urban design, planning through to small scale detailed professionals landscape planning. Environmental and design - from studies to constructed Part of the international EDAW Group visual impact assessment. Concept projects. Specialist experience in providing urban design, land use considering taking design, detail design and project landscape architecture. planning, environmental planning and management. UK and overseas. landscape architecture services throughout the UK and Europe. an urban design Civic Design Partnership Particular expertise in market driven Colin Buchanan & Partners 22 Sussex street development frameworks, urban course. Those 59 Queens Gardens London Sw1V4RW regeneration, masterplanning and London W2 3AF Tel: 0171 233 7419 implementation. Tel: 0171 258 3799 Fax: 0171 931 8431 wishing to be Fax: 0171 258 0299 Contact: Peter J. Heath Architect and Contact: Neil Parkyn MA DipArch DipTP Town Planner Roger Evans Associates included in future (Dist)RIBA MRTPI School Studios Whether it's our strategy for the external Weston on the Green Town planning, urban design, transport areas of BAA pic's airports, presented to Oxford 0X6 8RG issues should and traffic management and market Sir John Egan, a Conservation Tel: 01869 350096 research from offices in London, Enhancement plan for Covent Garden, Fax: 01869 350152 Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester. an application for Millennium funding for Contact: Roger Evans MA DipArch contact John Specialism in Town Centre projects, traffic management, Orpington Town DipUD RIBA MRTPI including public realm design. Centre proposals or a landscaped Billingham square for Hove - our integrated service A specialist urban design practice of architecture, planning, landscape, providing services throughout the UK. Building Design Partnership product and urban design gives our Expertise in urban regeneration, 26 Park Road PO Box 4WD clients not only what they want, but also development frameworks, master 16Gresse Street what they never dreamt they could have. planning, town centre improvement Abingdon London W1A 4WD schemes and visual impact assessment. Tel: 0171 631 4733 Fax: 0171 631 0393 Edward Cullinan Oxon OX14 1DS Contact: Richard Saxon BArch Architects Ltd (Hons)(L'pool) MCD MBIM RIBA The Wharf, Baldwin Terrace Tel: 01235 526094 London N1 7RU Transport design. Landscape design. Tel: 0171 704 1975 Commercial development planning. Fax: 0171 354 2739 Sports and Leisure planning. Industrial Contact: John Romer site planning. Educational campus planning. Designing buildings and groups of buildings within urban or rural contexts. The relationship to existing buildings and the making of spaces between buildings is of particular importance to us, in the struggle to re-establish the civic place. Terry Farrell and Company Hunt Thompson Associates Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Andrew Martin Associates 17 Hatton Street 79 Parkway Ltd Croxton's Mill, Little Waltham London NW8 8PL London NW1 7PP 14 Regent's Wharf Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3PJ Tel: 0171 258 3433 Tel: 0171 485 8555 All Saints Street Tel: 01245361611 Fax: 0171 723 7059 Fax: 0171 485 1232 London N1 9RL Fax: 01245 362423 Contact: Susan Dawson DipArch RIBA Contact: Benjamin Derbyshire DipArch Tel: 0171 8374477 Contact: Andrew Martin MAUD DipTP (Cantab) RIBA FRSA Fax: 0171 837 2277 (Distinction) FRICS FRTPI Architectural, urban design and planning (also in Newcastle upon Tyne) services. New buildings, refurbishment, Development, Architecture and Urban Contact: Nicholas Thompson BA BPI Strategic, local and master planning, restoration and interiors,masterplanning Design. Optimising development MA (UrbDes) MRTPI and lain Rhind BA project co-ordination and facilitation, and town planning schemes. Retail, potential by integrating social, physical MPhil DipUD (Dist) MRTPI development briefs and detailed Conference Centres, Exhibition Halls, and economic issues. Making buildable, studies, historic buildings and Offices, Railway infrastructure and cost effective, user responsive Independent planning, urban design and conservation. Railway Development, Art Galleries, environments. economics consultancy, combining Comprehensive and integrated planning Museums. Cultural and Tourist analysis with creativity. Masterplans: all of new and expanded communities, buildings, Television Studios, Theatres, sites, all uses. Residential schemes. including housing, employment, Housing, Industrial Buildings. Landscape Design Associates Urban regeneration. Town centres. shopping, recreation and leisure, 17 Minster Precincts Visual appraisal. Conservation. transport and environmental Peterborough PE1 1XX considerations. 45 FaulknerBrowns Tel: 01733 310471 Dobson House Fax: 0173353661 Livingston Eyre Associates Northumbrian Way Contact: John Dejardin DipLA ALI 7-13 Cottons Gardens Peter McGowan Associates Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 OQW Chris Royffe MA DipLA ALI London E2 8DN The Schoolhouse Tel: 0191 268 3007 Tel: 0171 7391445 4 Lochend Road Fax: 0191 268 5227 Urban and landscape design, landscape Fax: 0171 729 2986 EdinburghEH68BR Contact: Neil F Taylor BA (Hons) and development planning, Contact: Katherine Melville RIBA ALI Tel: 0131 555 4949 DipArch (Dist) RIBA MBIM masterplans, environmental strategies, Fax: 0131 555 4999 urban regeneration, town and village The design of the space between Contact: Peter McGowan DipLA MA Urban Design, Environmental and studies and environmental buildings in urban or rural contexts; (UD)ALI Economic Regeneration, improvements. Feasibility to master planning and feasibility studies; Masterplanning, Development and implementation. rehabilitation and regeneration of the Landscape architecture and urban Implementation Strategies. urban landscape; building the places we design: planning and design. Highways, design. pedestrianisation and traffic calming. Landscape Town & Country Ltd New town development. Urban parks Gillespies Turpyns Court and spaces. Sea fronts. Urban Environment by Design Woughton on the Green Llewelyn-Davies Renewal. Landscapes for housing and GLASGOW Milton Keynes Brook House industry. Tel: 0141 332 6742 MK63BW 2 Torrington Place Fax: 0141 332 3538 Tel: 01908 663344 London WC1E7HN MANCHESTER Fax: 01908 678635 Tel: 0171 637 0181 NFA Tel: 0161 928 7715 Contact: Neil Higson Fax: 0171 637 8740 Falcon House, 202 Old Brompton Road Fax: 0161 927 7680 Contact: Jon Rowland AADipl MA RIBA London SW5 0BU OXFORD Landscape Planning; Landscape and David Walton BA MRTPI FIHT Tel: 0171 259 2223 Fax: 0171 259 2242 Tel: 01865 326789 Architecture; Urban Design; (also at Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Fax: 01865 327070 Environmental Consultants. Architecture, planning, urban design, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Melbourne, The Practice philosophy provides clients development and masterplanning; urban Paris, Singapore, Vietnam) with creative and sustainable solutions regeneration, town centre and Contact: Peter Verity MArch MCP (Penn) and a commitment to excellence from Derek Latham & Co conservation studies; urban design RIBA inception to completion in Planning, St Michaels briefs, landscape and public realm Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Derby DE1 3SU strategies. Architectural, Urban Design, Planning, Architecture, Graphic Design and Tel: 01332 365777 Landscaping services internationally. Ecology. Fax: 01332 290314 Development Planning, Urban Contact: Mark Strawbridge David Lock Associates Ltd Regeneration, New Communities, 50 North Thirteenth Street Waterfront Regeneration, Tourism Greater London Consultants Creative re-use: Innovative Central Milton Keynes Planning and Design. 127 Beulah Road Conservation, Urban Design, Milton Keynes MK9 3BP Thornton Heath Architecture, Planning, Landscapes and Tel: 01908 666276 Surrey CR7 8JJ Interiors. Problem solving by design. Fax: 01908605747 Office of Urban Design Tel: 0181 7681417 Contact: Will Cousins DipArch DipUD 3 High Street Fax: 0181 771 9384 RIBA Taplow Contact: Dr John Parker DipArch ARIBA LEITHGOE Landscape Architects Bucks SL6 0EX DipTP FRTPI FRSA and Environmental Planners Strategic planning studies, public Tel: 01628666334 6Southernhay West inquiries, urban regeneration projects, Fax: 01628 602676 Services focus on architectural and Exeter EX1 1JG master plans, area development Contact: Anthony Meats AA DipL RlBA urban design aspects of planning and Tel: 01392 210428 framework plans, environment FRSA environment including: photo-montage Fax: 01392413290 statements. studies especially high building (also London tel: 0171 229 6469) Urban design, tourism and development proposals, site investigation, traffic, Contact: Andrew Leithgoe DipLA FLI planning, conservation and townscape applications, appeals, marinas, ElA's, MacCormac Jamieson Prichard studies, conceptual design. feasibility, development schemes, Landscape Assessment, Planning, 9 Heneage Street conservation and security schemes. Design and Maintenance. Hard and soft Spitalfields Landscape solutions. Experienced in London E1 5LJ Terence O'Rourke pic working with Architects and Engineers. Tel: 0171 377 9262 Everdene House Halcrow Fox Clients include PSA/DoE, Local Fax: 0171 247 7854 Wessex Fields, Deansleigh Road 44 Brook Green Authorities, Property Institutions, Contact: David Prichard BSc DipArch Bournemouth BH7 7DU Hammersmith Universities, Private clients. (Lond)RIBA Tel: 01202 421142 London W6 7BY Fax: 01202 430055 Tel: 0171 6031618 Master-planning, development briefs, Contact: Terence O'Rourke DipArch Fax: 0171 603 5783 urban regeneration studies, land use (Oxford) DipTP RIBA MRTPI Contact: Asad A Shaheed BA Arch studies, rural settlements. Planning in MArch historic and sensitive sites. Planning and Design Consultancy specialising in land use planning, Area and site planning, town centre landscape architecture, ecology, renewal, waterfront regeneration, traffic environmental assessment and urban calming studies, conceptual design, design. Development Briefs, Master visual impact assessment. Plans, Urban Regeneration, Town Studies, Conservation and Public Realm Strategies. Practice Index Education Index

PRP Architects Symonds Travers Morgan Urbanologists MPT Associates University of Central England, 82 Bridge Road Environment Penthouse Studio, Haresfield House Birmingham Hampton Court 2 Killick Street Brookfield, Wingfield Road School of Architecture East Molesey London N1 9JJ Trowbridge Wilts BA14 9EN Tel: 0121 331 5130 Surrey KT8 9HF Tel: 0171 278 7373 Tel: 01225 777600 Fax: 0121 3569915 Tel: 0181 941 0606 Fax: 0171 278 3476 Fax: 01225 751166 Contact: Joe Holyoak, Course Director Fax: 0181 7831671 Contact: Marie Burns BA (hons) MAUD Contact: Michael Tollit DipArch(Leics), MA in European Urban Design. 12 Contact: Peter Phippen Dipl. LAALI BA(Hons), PGDipUD, MA, ARIBA, months full time, students study one OBE DipArch (RWA) RIBA MlnstEnvSc ATCM term each in Birmingham, Strasbourg Multidisciplinary Practice of urban and Florence, with fourth term in one Social and private housing designers, landscape architects, Consultants in Urban-Rural Processes centre by choice. development, special needs housing, planners, ecologists, noise and air including housing for elderly people, pollution expertise - undertaking University of the West of mentally handicapped and single environmental and visual impact England, Bristol people, healthcare, urban assessments, traffic calming studies; Faculty of the Built Environment redevelopment. town centre and waterfront regeneration Frenchay Campus schemes, contamination remediation, Coldharbour Lane new build housing and estate Bristol BS161QY 46 Taylor Young Urban Design refurbishment. Tel: 0117 965 6261 The Studio Fax: 0117 976 3895 51 Brookfield Contact: Richard Guise Cheadle John Thompson and Partners MA/Postgraduate Diploma course in Cheshire SK81ES 77 Cowcross Street Urban Design. Part time 2 days per Tel: 0161 491 4530 London EC1M6BP fortnight for 2 years, or individual Fax: 0161 491 0972 Tel: 0171 2515135 programme of study. Project based Contact: Stephen Gleave MA DipTP Fax: 0171 251 5136 course addressing urban design issues, (Dist) DipUD MRTPI Contact: John Thompson MA DipArch abilities and environments. RIBA Urban Design, Planning and Development. Public and Private Architects, urban designers and Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot Sectors. Town studies, housing, community planners specialising in the Watt University commercial, distribution, health and problems of physical, social and School of Architecture transportation represent current live' economic regeneration through Lauriston Place projects. Specialist in Urban Design collaborative interdisciplinary community Edinburgh EH3 9DF Training. based planning. Tel: 0131 221 6071/6072 Fax: 0131 221 6606/6157 Contact: Robert Smart Rothermel Thomas Tibbalds Monro Ltd Diploma in Urban Design: 1 year full 14-16 Cowcross Street 31 Earl Street time or 3 years part time. MSc in Urban London EC1M6DR London EC2A2HR Design: 1 year full time or 3 years part Tel: 0171 490 4255 Tel: 0171 377 6688 time plus 1 year part time. Recognised Fax: 0171 4901251 Fax: 0171 247 9377 by the RIBA for the RIBA Urban Design Contact: James Thomas BA (Arch) Contact: Andrew Karski BA (Hons) MSc Diploma. DipTP FRIBA FRTPI FRSA FIMgt (Econ) FRTPI

Urban design, conservation, historic Multi-disciplinary practice of architects, University of Greenwich buildings, planning, architecture. Expert planners, urban designers, landscape School of Architecture and witness at planning inquiries. designers, tourism specialists and Landscape interior architects. The firm provides Oakfield Lane consultancy services to institutional, Dartford DA1 2SZ Shepheard Epstein and Hunter public sector and corporate clients. Tel: 0181 3169100 Architecture Planning and Fax: 0181 316 9105 Landscape Contact: Philip Stringer 14-22 Ganton Street Urban Design Futures MA in Urban Design for postgraduate London W1V1 LB 34 Henderson Row architecture and landscape students, full Tel: 0171 734 0111 Edinburgh EH35DN time and part time with credit Fax: 0171 434 2690 Scotland accumulation transfer system. Contact: Steven Pidwill Dip Arch RIBA Tel/Fax: 0131 5578820 Eugene Dreyer MA (City and Regional Contact: Selby Richardson DipArch, Planning) DipTP, MSc, ARIAS University of Liverpool Dept of Civic Design Architecture, master-planning, Land use planning, development Abercromby Square landscape, urban design, computer feasibility and site layout studies, urban PO Box 147 modelling, environmental statements, design strategies and appraisal, town Liverpool L69 3BX planning-for-real, public consultation, centre and village studies, Tel: 0151 794 3119 development consultancy. environmental improvements, traffic Fax: 0151 794 3125 calming, design guidelines. Contact: Michael Biddulph Diploma in Civic Design.: 21 months full Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Inc. time or 33 months part time. Master in 46 Berkeley Street, London W1X6NT Urban Initiatives Civic Design: 2 years full-time / 3 years Tel: 0171 930 9711 35 Heddon Street part time. RTPI accredited, ESRC Fax: 0171 930 9108 London W1R7LL studentships available. (also Chicago, New York, Washington, Tel: 0171 287 3644 San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hong Fax: 0171 287 9489 Kong) Contact: Kelvin Campbell BArch RIBA University of Manchester Contact: Roger Kallman MRTPI MCIT FRSA School of Architecture Manchester M13 9PL International multi-disciplinary practice. Urban design, transport planning, Tel: 0161 275 6914 Master Planning, Landscape infrastructure and development planning Fax: 0161 275 6935 Architecture, Civil Engineering and to include master planning, town centre Contact: Dr Patrick Malone Urban Design. Project types: urban studies, conservation, environmental MA in Urban Design and Regeneration. regeneration schemes, business park improvements, traffic calming and MA in Urban Design Studies. B.Phil, in master plans, university campus design, design guidelines. Urban Design (International linked transportation planning. Associated courses PhD/MA routes). services: environmental impact assessments, design guidelines, infrastructure strategies. Endpiece

Liverpool John Moores University "... Past the Serenity Building, east out of Abbot Street past the Licentious Hotel..." School of the Built Environment 98 Mount Pleasant Liverpool L3 5UZ Anticipation Tel: 0151 231 3709 I knew I'd like this ever since I'd seen an illustration to a Jerry Cornelius story in Fax: 0151 7094957 New Worlds in 1969 illustrated with a map of the Vatican with chapels and Contact: Professor Chris Couch monuments as storage depots and brothels. When eventually I bought a copy of MSc/Diploma in Urban Renewal (Urban 3 Regeneration & Urban Design) 1 year 3 Leaving the Twentieth Century and read Giles Ivain's Formula for a New City, I full-time or 2 years part-time. at the bookstalls. There is no tourist information desk I could enquire at. for postgraduate architects, town "Woodhouse Lane" (the address given on the pamphlet) is a major road leading planners, landscape architects and from the centre of Leeds to its suburbs. Along it there are several buildings related disciplines. One year full time or two years part time attendance of two shown on the map as "Polytechnic". Its footpaths are interrupted by barriers and evenings a week plus an additional five underpasses. Its frontage is not continuous and several buildings look as if they to eight days each year. a could be educational institutions. Their doors are locked. One is called "The Gallery" but it was not the right place. When I do find it, recognizing the poster University of Newcastle upon Tyne 5' on the door, I hear murmuring, a tuneless chant in an almost empty room. Department of Town & Country Planning,

Reflection Across the road a broad beamed barge rests on a dry hillock over the dual carriageway. The Dry Dock Pub. On the back door to the laboratories is painted 'Ray's Carpets, Sunday morning'. The electrical switchboxes are flyposted to advise passersby of Falling Buildings. A number of large rectangular buildings display names and functions in illuminated letters, but I am no longer sure they can be trusted. "I'm lost."

Forced Entertainment can be contacted at Unit 102, The Workstation, 46 Shoreham Street, Sheffield (0114 279 8977). PTRC

Seminars and Conferences for Urban Designers and Planners

PTRC is at the forefront of multidisciplinary training for planners, transport and traffic planners, highway engineers, landscape architects and urban designers.

During 1995, the following topics will be offered:

• The Design of Pedestrian Facilities 10 October

• Options for Improving Urban Air Quality through Traffic Control 31 October

• Creating Towns for People through Traffic Calming and Pedestrian and Cycling Facilities 2 November

• Street Pattern and Town Form 8 November

The 1996 programme will include the following topics:

• The Design and Layout of Parking in Residential Areas

• The Planning and Design of Terminals and Interchanges

To receive details of these events and to ensure that you are on PTRC's mailing list, please contact: Ms Sally Scarlett, Director, PTRC, Glenthorne House, Hammersmith Grove, London W6 OLG. Tel: 0181 741 1516. Fax: 0181 741 5993 e-mail: [email protected]