Urban Design Quarterly The Journal of the Urban Design Group
Issue 61 January 1997
Topic: Department of the Environment Urban Design Campaign
Practice Profile Taylor Young Urban Design Contributors to this Issue
Urban Design Campaign Digbeth, Birmingham Other Contributors to this Regular Contributors Prof Tony Collier Issue Material for this issue was made Dean of Faculty of the Built Derek Abbott available by the various Local Environment, Joe Holyoak Architect and Planner involved in Authorities to the DoE for use in the University of Central England Architect and Urban Designer. Reader consultancy,^writing and teaching. brochure for the exhibition and this Phone 0121 331 5110 in Architecture at the University of Previously Conservation Officer for has been edited for inclusion in this Fax 0121 356 9915 Central England and Principal of Axis North Devon. journal. Individual contacts are listed Design Collective below: Driffield, East Yorkshire John Billingham Roger Jones Patrick Malone Architect and Planner, formerly Ashford • Victoria Road Architect, RKD Partnership Architect and Urban Designer. Course Director of Design and Development Richard Alderton Phone 01377 229219 Director for Urban design and Milton Keynes Development Assistant Borough Planning Officer, Fax 01377 229219 Regeneration in Dept of Planning and Corporation. Ashford BC Landscape at Manchester University. Phone 01233 637311 x239 Gateshead - Bottle Bank Tim Catchpole Fax 01233 634979 Robert Haswell, Architect/Director, Alan Stones Urban Designer and Planner, William Gower Partnership Architect-Planner working in Essex Associate of Halcrow Fox Ashton-under-Lyne Phone 0113 2780011 County Council's Planning Henry Square Revival Fax 01132304272 Department design team. Bob Jarvis Martin Arthur Senior Lecturer in Planning at South Assistant Director Huddersfield, S. Yorkshire Peter Studdert Bank University School of Urban Tameside Metropolitan Borough Roger Holmes, Planning Services, Architect and Planner. Director of Development and Policy. Council Kirklees Metropolitan Council Planning at Cambridge City Council. Phone 0161 342 3136 Phone 01484 442557 Sebastian Loew Fax 0161 342 3011 Fax 01484 442768 Peter Verity Architect and Planner until recently Architect and Urban designer. Senior Lecturer at the School of Urban Bridgwater, Somerset Poole - Hands on Heart London Partner in international Development at the University of Nigel Davies Neil Garrard consultancy NFA. Westminster. Planning Policy Manager, Head of Planning Services Sedgemoor District Council Poole Borough Council Judith Ryser Phone 01278 435219 Phone 01202 633304 Architect, writer and researcher on Fax 01278 444076 Fax 01202 633345 environmental and design issues.
Bristol - Lewins Mead Rochford, Essex Barry Sellers Simon Smithson Shaun Scrutton, Chief Assistant, Planner and Urban Designer working Design Director, Rochford District Council on conservation and urban design at Carey Jones Architects Phone 01702 546366 the London Borough of Wandsworth Phone 0113 2432240 Fax 01702 545737 Fax 0113 2445530 Chris Williamson Southwark, London Architect and urban Designer. Canterbury - Whitefriars Ken Greig Principal of Weston Williamson J Mansell Jagger Partner, Greig and Stephenson Architects. Director of Planning, Phone 0171 636 2401 Canterbury City Council Fax 0171 6361604 Phone 01227 763763 Fax 01227 763727 Stoke on Trent - Longton West Mr M Downs Caterham-on-the-Hill Principal Planning Manager, Errata Charlotte Parker Stoke-on-Trent City Council Planning Assistant, Phone 01782 404477 The October Issue, no 60, contained Tandridge District Council Fax01782404151 a news item covering a talk given by Phone 01883722000ext266 Demetri Porphyrios on his work. The Fax 01883 722015 Twyford, Berkshire Brindleyplace, Birmingham, master Ian Washbrook plan was incorrectly referred to as Charlestown, Cornwall Team Leader Urban Design, being prepared by the Terry Farrell Russell Dodge Wokingham District Council office. The master plan which forms Director - Project Manager, Phone 01734 778781 the framework for the current Business Locations Services development was prepared by John Phone 01872 222777 Walsall Town Wharf Chatwin and we apologise for this Fax 01872 222700 Bryan Pell incorrect attribution and the exclusion Planning Officer, of part of the layout plan. Chester - Gorse Stacks Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Peter de Figueiredo Phone 01922 652522 Department of Development & Leisure Fax 01922 652522 Services Chester City Council Wimbledon Town Centre Phone 01244 402232 Andrew Karski Fax 01244 321302 Director, Tibbalds, Colbourne, Karski, Williams Monro Ltd Cinderford, Gloucestershire Phone 0171 247 9377 Dr Chris Cripps Community Regeneration Advisor, Worcester - St Clement's Gate Gloucestershire CDA Roger Evans Phone 01594 841964 Roger Evans Associates Fax 01594 845135 Phone 01865 377030 Fax 01865 377050 Urban Design Group Contents
Enquiries and change of address: Cover 6 Ashbrook Courtyard, Westbrook Street EDAW's Winning Design for the Manchester Urban Design Competition Blewbury, Oxon 0X11 9QH Tel: 01235-851415 Fax: 01235-851410 News & Events Leader 4 One Space Two Worlds 13 Sept Chairman Jon Rowland 01865-863642 New Millenium New Landscapes 24 Sept 5 Urban Design Directions 9 October 6 Patrons New Urban Design Agenda 15 October 7 Alan Baxter Design Codes Briefs and Guidelines 25 October 8 Honor Chapman Sir Philip Dowson Competitions Terry Farrell Marsham Street Peter Hall Judith Ryser 9 Simon Jenkins The Mending of Manchester Jane Priestman Patrick Maione 11 John Worthington Visit UDG Regional Activities Danube Bend and Budapest Visit Regional convenors: Alan Stones 14 Scotland Mike Galloway 0141-429 8956 Topic / DoE Urban Design Campaign North Alan Simpson 0191-281 6981 Yorks/Humber David Black 01482-612352 Introduction 15 North West Andy Farrall 01244-402213 Comments on the Exhibition East Midlands Steve Tiesdell 0115-951 4874 Peter Studdert 16 West Midlands Peter Larkham 0121-331 5152 Joe Holyoak 17 South Wales Sam Romaya 01222-874000 Peter Verity South West Andy Gibbins 01179-222964 Ashford, Kent 19 East Anglia Alan Stones 01245-437642 Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester 20 South East Roger Evans 01865-377030 Bridgwater, Somerset 21 Bristol, Lewins Mead 22 Canterbury, Whitefriars 23 Editorial Board Caterham on the Hill, Surrey 24 Derek Abbott Charlestown, Cornwall 25 John Billingham Chester, Gorse Stacks 26 Tim Catchpole Cinderford, Gloucestershire 27 Roger Evans Digbeth, Birmingham 28 Bob Jarvis Driffield, East Yorkshire 29 Sebastian Loew Gateshead, Bottle Bank 30 Tony Lloyd-Jones Huddersfield 31 Francesca Morrison Poole 32 Marion Roberts Rochford, Essex 33 Judith Ryser Southwark 34 Alan Simpson Stoke on Trent, Longton West 35 Twyford, Berkshire 36 Walsall Town Wharf 37 Editors John Billingham Wimbledon Town Centre 38 Sebastian Loew Worcester 39
Editor for this issue John Billingham Reviews Book reviews by Sebastian Loew, Tim Catchpole, 40 Book reviews Tim Catchpole Marion Roberts, Derek Abbott and Chris Williamson
56 Gilpin Ave, London SW14 8QY Practice Profile Taylor Young Urban Design 42 Art direction Simon Head Practice and Education Index 44
Print production Constable Printing Endpiece 47 © Urban Design Group Ten Years After ISSN 0266 6480 Bob Jarvis Back Cover Material for publication: This should be addressed to UDG Events The Editor, 26 Park Road, Abingdon, Oxon 0X14 1DS Future issues 62 Residential Design Guides Subscriptions: The Quarterly is free to Urban Design group Members who also receive newsletters and Practice profile pages are available to practices who are asked to contribute £80 to the the biennial Source Book at the time of printing. production costs. The subscription charge for Practice and Education Index entries is Annual rates: Individuals £25 Students £14. £80 per year covering an inclusion in four issues. Corporate rates: Practices £40 Libraries £40 Local Authorities £75 (2 copies of UDQ) Overseas members pay a supplement of £3 for Europe and £8 for other locations. Neither the Urban Design Group nor the editor is responsible for views expressed or Individual issues of the journal cost £4. statements made by individuals writing in this journal. News and Events
October was a high point for urban Response to PPG1 Design in the Planning > System design issues including the exhibition The following text is an extract from the submission to the DoE The Department of the D
Urban Design Directions realm between buildings had to be differentiated, rich and UDG and RIBA members met varied to attract people, to to discuss the state of the art of invite them to use these spaces o urban design and where it is and identify with them. In his heading on 9 October at the view, the city is not an object RIBA. The packed house and but the expression of a the lively debate proved that continuous process which is the new 'tradition' of holding shaped by designers and joint events between different people alike. design professionals has become a success. Richard MacCormac gave a stimulating account of his Jon Rowland underlined the approach to townscape by proactive attitude expected of commenting on his various to note that most of the Commission". all participants in the proposals for Spitalfields. His examples were from abroad. production of urban space, be in-depth analysis of urban They proposed that such an it the local authorities, those spaces illustrated the variety A case study was presented on agency, could allocate funds who regulate fiscal policies or which an organically growing the Pare de Citroen in Paris, for projects relating to whole the developers and the urban fabric is producing over achieved by a political communities, allowing them to designers. However, the a long period of time. It thus environment that championed realise long held aspirations for involvement of people is crucial embeds the history of the the Grand Projet in a bold and their town, city or region. Funds for a successful outcome. The people who built and used the innovative contemporary style, could be allocated on a similar three year research project of spaces. He derived a generic whilst tackling significant urban basis as, say, the Heritage public participation in urban pattern, ranging from high to dereliction; - a well run, Lottery Fund, up to a 75% design with which the DoE has variably low densities around remunerated design maximum. The framework these entrusted the UDG will provide spaces with central competition; a collaborative Renaissance plans would good practice guidelines on the significance. They can be a solution (two successful teams utilise are the current Unitary involvement of citizens to town centre, a main thorough joining together to combine Development Plans, which improve the quality of the urban fare, a public meeting space, a their ideas developed during have been examined by the environment. monument, a street market or the competition); the necessary public and considered all the other building complexes with capital available and main elements of policy and Jon Rowland also gave a brief civic functions. He compared commitment to complete all economics. However, they account of how these premises these profiles with a game of elements to a high standard. contain few concrete design relate to the UDG's new dominoes where each part concepts or ideas as such. manifesto, namely to link urban relates to the adjacent one according to certain rules. They Parallels in Britain are sadly, change to the quality of the express socio-economic values few and far between, but two The opportunities for existing built environment and embody both the symbolic Scottish schemes were developing a whole range of (context), to encourage variety and the functional relations in described - The Glasgow dramatic solutions, perhaps by (diversity), to provide wide cities which planning policies Cathedral Precinct (shown open competition, are huge. access to the public realm are unable to take on board. above)using bold, appropriate They felt that lottery funds and (equity), to foster sustainability and long term perspectives Such urban design principles materials and detailing, Government funding together (stewardship) and to contribute can also be applied to new matching traditional concepts could produce such an building complexes. His 'dog environment. Ideas and to people's sense of identity with relevant contemporary bone' design of his Cambridge concepts could be developed (empowerment). solutions. Similarly the High College epitomises such a for a co-ordinated programme Street in Edinburgh, the Royal 'place making context' as it of renewal on a large and These somewhat abstract Mile, has achieved a contextual aims to link urban design to ideas gave rise to a discussion and traditional solution, but comprehensive scale. architectural detail. on their application in practice, contemporary and innovative in Programmes would address Architectural objects may be linking them to the examples its bold use of stone paving such elements as gateways, asymmetrical but the urban given by Kelvin Campbell and elements often using main routes, transport design created by mixed Richard MacCormac on their monumental detailing. interchanges, open space functions generates symmetry urban design philosophies. provision and networks, around sliding densities along Kelvin Campbell showed in It was stressed that, in these waterways, key urban spaces a human change of scale. case studies, and in all projects and individual sites. dramatic terms how urban shown in the general slide design has moved a long way presentation, that not only does As is inevitable the discussion from the megastructures and The discussion between those quality count, quality costs as which followed was mega-ideologies of the sixties who focus on the design of well. inconclusive focusing largely epitomised by the masterplan buildings and those who on the problems of involving of Milton Keynes. He concentrate on the design of They concluded with a question the public fully into the design underlined the importance of the spaces between them - "What will happen in Britain to process. At the end the scale by showing the confirmed that urban design is the lottery funds currently being audience still split between inadequacies of the Milton not an independent allocated to the Millennium those who saw the designer as Keynes town centre design and professional activity but needs Commission?" They felt that a dictator and those who aspired the grand axis leading to the to be integrated with new agency was needed to to a much broader collaborative railway station through a bleak architecture, traffic engineering disseminate the funds, role. environment. Kelvin and landscape design. something along the lines of an demonstrated vividly how "Urban Renaissance Richard Cole urban spaces and the public Judith Ryser Extract from Birmingham Urban Design Study carried out by Tibbalds Monro illustrating how views of topographic importance should be retained - left - and not closed as the right hand view.
New Urban Design from calling in applications Geoff Wright extracted five key they have teeth?) the Agenda purely on design grounds to points from the Birmingham environment, plagiarism, who the current Urban Design experience: should lead an urban design A one day seminar on ideas Campaign. The first discussion strategy. It was left to Nicky developing in urban design session started with the • The local authority can act Gavron, chair of L.P.A.C. to chaired by Paul Finch was held question of why it had taken the as a lead player with sum up, obviously not an easy at the RIBA on the 15 October. government 17 years to realise political and financial task, which she tackled by first the importance of urban design commitment, triggering a explaining how her interest in Suddenly everybody is doing it; and do something about it. range of other (partner) planning developed from being urban design has become sexy Since the minister had gone by actions. a woman and mother living in and the events organised to then, the floor was left to the vicinity of the Archway discuss it and issues related to discuss whether in fact the • High quality public space Road. She placed two it are multiplying. What it is, is government had realised it or can dramatically improve important points on the not always well defined but this whether the various initiatives the image of the city for agenda: the first related to is why days like the one held at mentioned were anything more residents and investors. values. She felt rightly that the RIBA are necessary. As than the repackaging of old People like it and want professionals shied away from Richard MacCormac said in his ideas. Unfortunately this could more! setting a value system for introduction to a room packed also be said of a number of urban design and thought that with the great and the good, suggestions made during the • The Highbury Initiative: a this should be addressed. The who would have thought even morning, not just some of those shared vision held by second related to the education three years ago, when market listed above but also more politicians, business leaders of planners: with apologies she forces were the gospel and detailed ones: the need to start and landowners as the core felt that many planners did not local authorities have been with the context, to set goals, to of wide ranging action. have much of an eye... marginalised, that government involve the public, the acknowledgement that initiatives would place the • Action reinforces debate/ At the end of the day, Paul everything relates to everything physical aspects of planning at policy. Finch suggested that the else, the search for community. the forefront of public debate? meeting should "urge the Had we not heard this before? Two speakers followed • Role of several levels of Secretary of State to: And had anyone listened MacCormac: Robert Jones, design guidance: eg. city before? Minister of State at the DoE and centre-wide design strategy, • Acknowledge the crucial Peter Buchanan. On general quarter plans, site level role of Local Authorities in matters there was consensus After coffee, participants were briefs, all linked to proactive the further development between the three speakers: divided into four groups, each suggestions and of good quality design urban design is a "good thing"; one dealing with a case study. development control strategies. it needs an interdisciplinary The programme suggested that response. approach (combined education each group would be "looking • Assess the ways in which of professionals?); urban at lessons that can be applied After lunch, participants to the the procurement of urban design statements or strategies at scales ranging from large conference found numerous design strategies could be can help developers and save development to small ideas emerging from each case better resourced, especially time; there must be a better improvement projects, and from study pinned-up in the at concept stage. integrated system of decision cities to small towns and conference room; they were making for instance between villages" but the case studies - asked to vote for the five most • Ensure that urban design transport and land use Berlin, Birmingham, Glasgow important ones by placing a strategies are an integral planning; sustainable and the West Coast Cities of red dot next to them. A plenary part of the planning development requires the USA - involved large cities session followed, where some process. thoughtful urban design; mixed only. The Birmingham session, of these ideas plus others development is another "good the only one attended by this added by the floor, were again • Fund a series of urban thing"; technological changes reviewer, was most interesting discussed. The importance of design strategies in key and their effects on work in that it illustrated in practical political will was raised and the cities as a follow-up to the patterns will have an enormous terms how a city had dealt with point made that "politicians Marsham Street competition. effect on city form. its overall problems by inter alia may not be thinking about adopting urban design urban design but this is what • Publicise the beneficial Robert Jones described how solutions; the integration of they get at the end"; land effects of urban design pro-active the government had strategic planning, transport ownership and its influence on strategies to the widest been and listed various planning and detailed design design was a controversial and possible public." initiatives from PPG 1 to the are not just a buzz word here unresolved issue; others were Marsham St competition and but a reality. Les Sparks and urban design regulations (do Sebastian Loew News and Events
with socio-economic issues, After lunch, David Walton, message was clear and and a format which is more a managing director of Llewelyn universal: we need to have a framework than a code and is Davies, returned to the vision, an image of what we seen to be useful. Lesley question of terminology. He want a place to be like. The suggested that there were guidelines (codes, regulations, O Chalmers was the first speaker to remark that developers, three types of guidelines: briefs...) that follow from an builders and financial codes as they exist in the US, accepted vision, should not be institutions like guidelines generic codes (for housing, a problem. because they ensure lasting town centres, etc) and value for their investment. individual sites; and that they Sebastian Loew # Finally, she pointed out the varied depending on whether need to have a real they were for inner city interdisciplinary team involved. regeneration, new development Public Participation areas or sensitive areas. His Project One of the problems identified research (commissioned by the throughout the day, was the DoE) has found that although The UDG has been involved in Design Codes, Briefs and vagueness and lack of there is a great variety of briefs, three one day events as part of Guidelines precision of the vocabulary: their quality is generally low. He the UDG project supported by A joint conference organised sustainable development was feels that Urban Design is the DoE. The first was a multi- by the RTPI and the UDG was repeatedly given as an strong in analysis but weak at disciplinary charrette held on held in London on 25 October. example of an expression translating the analysis into 9th November at Leeds Developers want precise and without meaning. But ways of achieving high quality. Metropolitan University which prescriptive design guidelines, fundamental for the day's Like the previous speakers, he was a follow up to the Annual even codes are fine: this was subject was the confusion made some recommendations: Conference and explored ideas one of the messages that existing between development the brief's addressee must be for the City Centre. The second emerged most emphatically briefs, design briefs, design clear from the start, briefs need was a public workshop held in from a very full day. Perhaps guidelines, etc. The to recommend mixed-uses, the Kingswood, Bristol on 16 not surprisingly, the examples nomenclature was one of the developers must be involved in November which was part of an of guidelines endorsed by subjects addressed by Ewart the preparation and they must SRB programme of work developers shown, had been Holmes, Assistant Borough enable rather than prescribe. examining ways to improve the prepared by the developers Planning Officer at He also made the point that at town centre area. The third themselves. Nevertheless, it Thamesdown Borough Council, the end good architecture event was an Action Planning was interesting to observe that who dealt mainly with site could only be achieved if the Day held in Hastings also on 16 the local authorities tried to be specific design briefs. He had architect was talented. November which was flexible, to enable rather than several important messages: concerned with ways in which prescribe, whilst the private all design briefs need to be Barry Todd, managing director local Agenda 21 work could be sector wanted certainty. grounded on Local Plan of Todd Architects and progressed. Each of these policies; they have to be Planners, dealt with the Urban events was monitored and will be evaluated by Emma Collier. The morning, chaired by the technically competent, seek a Design Guidelines for Belfast RTPI president Cliff Hague, good result and not be rigid. city centre. To prove that urban They are not the end but the started by a stimulating and designers are good on Projects covering a longer beginning of the negotiating committed presentation by analysis, he identified four period are now being process. He also had advice Lesley Chalmers, currently types of urban spaces investigated and possibilities at on how to prepare the briefs Chief Executive of the Kings depending on the strengths of Withernsea, Skelmersdale and and on the need to involve Cross Partnership, but their contextual reference and Farnham appear to offer the politicians and other previously in charge of the stated that the weaker the best opportunities for early departments in order to ensure Hulme City Challenge, where context, the more difficult to set involvement. ownership. she was responsible for the guidelines. He illustrated his production of the Hulme Guide talk with a number of examples. Other ideas about possible for Development (extract Christopher Glaister, consultant events involving a longer shown above). The Hulme area to Canary Wharf Limited, was The day finished with an duration are welcomed and may not be the obvious place the last speaker of the morning emphatic paper by Paul Nick Wates, the Project to give priority to design but and he showed the most Murrain of Oxford Brookes Manager, can be contacted on Lesley Chalmers made it very perceptive code of the day. University, who felt that whilst 01424 813970.# clear that design issues had to Slides of Canary Wharf we accepted rules and be seen as integral to the attempted to prove his point regulation on all aspects of life, socio-economic problems that high quality was obtained we seemed to be scared of affecting the area. She because of the precision of them when it came to design. emphasised two points: the these codes. He admitted that Like previous speakers, he need for high aspirations (cf. because they were based on a partly blamed language, or the Nicky Gavron's appeal for legal agreement which lack of it, for our failure to values in urban design) and the incorporated the masterplan for accept that intervention is attempts to avoid 'motherhood' the whole area, the documents necessary to achieve quality statements. For design and did not allow for change. The places. His examples, starting development guides to audience was left to wonder with the Law of the Indies, were succeed, they require a real whether the developer would mainly taken from the New and continuing engagement of have accepted such rigid World and the guidelines all stakeholders, the inclusion codes if they had been prepared by the private sector of all key design issues and an produced by a public body. and may not be applicable to explanation of their interaction Middletown, England. But the Competitions
Judith Ryser laments the and artisan workshops. Others already been made. The still are worldly enough to Westminster Hospital building 3 opportunity missed at recognise the higher order of with nurses' accommodation significance of the area at the which generated activities Marsham Street where the cross-roads of church and during 24 hours and seven political power with all the days a week awaits 31 DoE occupies one of the fringe interests attached to redevelopmant. You guessed, them. another office block is worst eyesores of Central supposed to replace these Nobody expected metroland blighted buildings and swallow London. with semi-detached houses, up the old graveyard, St. front and back gardens in this John's gardens. The MAFF 3 central location. The scale of building, good 30s architecture, How often is the landowner the developments should was torn down and replaced by also the landlord, tenant and match the grain of the a speculative office block CO regulator on a prime site on surroundings which ranges which now houses the national and international from Georgian Smith Square to Department of Transport above importance in the heart of Peabody housing and includes and empty shops on the London? Who has such structures like the Horticultural ground floor. On the East side (D controls over a site near the Hall, Greycoat School and TV of Marsham Street, Westminster (D Houses of Parliament and Channel 4. It is a matter of City Council (WCC) has Westminster Abbey? You inserting new spaces and assembled small sites adjacent guessed. It is the government. buildings compatible with the to the 30s Christian Science scale, layers of history, Church of Sir Herbert Baker, o Instead of practising what is diversity of styles and uses of also for sale, with historic being preached there: quality existing 'Westminster'. buildings, Georgian houses, O of town and country, better the Grade II listed Millicent urban design, the DoE Fawcett Hall of the suffragettes, Churchill's memorial tree and 3 contracted out its Other Opportunities responsibilities. It let its now the 40s art deco Romney House by Michael Rosenauer •o property agency obtain an What about giving over the occupied by the DoE. You outline planning consent in ground floor to the public guessed, everything was (D 1994. So much for the realm? The site could become destined for demolition and government's lead on the a civic forum for London like replacement by offices. quality of the environment, the Pavilion de I'Arsenal in Meanwhile, WCC is having a campaign for good urban Paris or the Zuiderkirk in second stab at closing down design, promotion of mixed use Amsterdam. Its focus could be the public library in Great Smith O and twenty four hour cities, the existing model of the City Street leading from the DoE to respect of the urban context and Westminster, expanded to Westminster Abbey. It may be 3 and commitment to citizen the whole of London, on less easy to sell the Victorian participation. permanent exhibition. Other C_ building for office development London-wide institutions C now that the amenity society Ever since the then involved in London's Q_ has managed to get it listed. Environment Secretary Michael development could be Further up, purpose-built Heseltine decided in 1992 to relocated there. Many of them, residential mansion blocks demolish the DoE buildings the including LPAC, the have been converted into game was on of 'it being either Association of London government offices for the (J) too early or too late'. Local Government, the London Department of Education and CD amenity societies, led by the Research Centre are already in Employment, probably the most Thorney Island Society, the vicinity. Its remit could ludicrous urban renewal together with professional encompass design more conversion of the eighties. Next associations including the generally, attract the to it, the DTI refurbishment Urban Design Group, the Architecture Foundation and, missed the opportunity of Urban Villages group and why not, professional bodies leaving the vista onto others were keen to get actively like the RIBA with its drawing Westminster Abbey from involved. They were worried to collection and the RTPI. Other Victoria Street by blocking it see the area change from cultural and leisure amenities with a new conference centre. bustling inner city into office could be shared between the commuter land. local residents, workers and visitors from further afield. Have we learnt nothing from the Community activism has come Located above, the DoE could bulldozer sixties? What the of age in central London. Gone look down for inspiration and redevelopment of this unique are the anarchic or fanatic get useful feedback from the area teaches us is that there claims. Reason and self- public below. seems to be no way of creating restraint have taken over. The new open spaces or lowering locals have internalised market The DoE site and its densities during the process of realities. However many regret surroundings could indeed urban change. It is in the nature their lost amenities and the become a challenge and a of speculative builders to Westminster 'village' showplace of imaginative urban maximise profits from their atmosphere with artist studios design. Many mistakes have sites, but should this apply to Competitions
The brief for the site required the overall space not to exceed the existing building area of 86000 sq m and office use was set at a maximum of 64000 sq m. Minimum areas were stipulated: 16000 sq m of residential, 3000 sq m of retail, 3000 sq m of open space. Left and above: Winning scheme by Tagliaventi & Associates. The main square is organised around the three buildings required to house a government department and a pedestrian street connects this to the Great Peter St and Marsham St corner.
Below: Joint second Bottom: Joint second prize by Pier Carlo prize by John Robins Bontempi and Andrea and Janusz Maciag. Pacciani. Central The plan responds to square contains a the immediate vicinity market emphasising by connecting streets the introverted across the block with character of the buildings framing project. government - national and local hillside villages, complete with Patrick Malone comments - as well? And should there campaniles and mock baroque, never again be any possibility transplanted to inner London at on the urban design of undoing part mistakes and a density of Berliner blocks. inventing a better built Award winners Tagliaventi & (D competition which included environment in inner cities? Associates of Bologna "...related well to the urban the retail and adjoining context (and) made effective Alternatives use of the available space..." 3 areas damaged by the IRA according to the jury. The two runners up, Pier Carlo
W Right: Winning § scheme by o consultancy group led by EDAW. Their q objective was 'A § Master plan which ® respects the visual ^ structure of the city $ featuring the key c ® visual linkages...; o> creates a new city c- focus - Exchange c Square; links key < streets and squares CcdD along a clear pedestrian route.' Below right: St Ann's 12 Square is linked through the Market Place area to the new Exchange Square.
Right: Commended scheme by BDP who aimed to create 'a city of landmarks, views and vistas ... a city of streetscape and skyline respectful of its heritage'. Above: Ideas for providing new housing on the Salford side of the river. potential for a 'northern five teams went forward to the in a remodelled Cannon well-developed plans for gateway' to the area, the second stage. Among the five Street underlying functional and exploitation of the River Irwell were: Halliday Meecham with • 'Metroshuttle' economic forces. Of course and the area's historic Richard Reid Associates; • residential units competitions (and urban buildings, and the integration Llewelyn Davies with Michael • A park along the Irwell marketing) promote form- and 'interpretation' of the Hyde & Associates; The • An Arndale Food Centre based urban design. However, mediaeval core. 'Manchester First' team centred this approach to development Redevelopment is also meant on Mills Beaumont Leavey There is a strong emphasis in has to weather the realities of to rationalise access and Channon; the Building Design EDAW's scheme on a north- demand and development servicing, transport linkages, Partnership team; and the south linkage between St. pressures. and parking - with new parking ultimate winners, EDAW. The Ann's Square and the located at the edges of the area winning team is made up by Cathedral, which was Manchester's urban design connected via pedestrianised EDAW, in partnership with Ian described by Owen Luder as competition follows on a spate links to the retail core. The Simpson, Alan Baxter offering a 'strong procession of of recent initiatives in the form City's Task Force also noted (Transport and Engineering), interesting public spaces'. of the city's new concert hall, that trading in the Arndale Benoy (Retail Development), However, the jury (led by Joe the Nynex Arena, Hulme, Centre is not to be disrupted and Hillier Parker, DLE, and Berridge) also concluded that Manchester's UDC, and local and, while private investment Johnson UDC. BDP should be retained to initiatives in different parts of will be maximised, the City is redefine, within EDAW's the city centre. The competition aiming for realism in terms of The five short-listed teams framework, their ideas for the (which was not as 'international' demand and the ambitions of produced different projects River Irwell and the Cathedral / as envisaged) sits against a investors. from a relatively common brief. Chethams area. BDP will also background of rising They varied in terms of the play a key role as architects for campanilismo and urban The Arndale Centre, and its nature and distribution of public the new Marks and Spencers marketing. In the shadows, 'undoubted shortcomings' will space, and in their treatment of store. however, there are the conflicts play a pivotal role in the potential leisure, cultural and between the city centre and redevelopment programme. housing functions. There were peripheral retailing (notably The unattractive and also differences in architectural Summary Dumplington). Moreover, 'uncommunicative' facades of language, with BDP arguably proposals for the area covered the Centre and allied street taking the most 'proficient' line Urban design competitions can by the competition raise spaces require attention. The of attack. The 'Manchester play a useful role in generating questions concerning the level problem of 'bulk' might be First' team took a fairly unique ideas, investment and interest of demand for leisure and addressed by breaking up an stand on the prospects for the in the redevelopment process. 'cultural' functions, and the fact enlarged Arndale into parts Arndale, on the street pattern However, the value of that the needs of any one area divided by pedestrian routes. and new housing areas. The competitions may depend on must be set against those of Specific options for the Arndale competition jury also noted our capacity to see them for other areas. Manchester's include the possible removal of Halliday Meecham's treatment what they are; that is, as short, Castlefields might usefully parking, access ramps and of the River Irwell, and Llewelyn speculative exercises aimed absorb more of the city's bridges, a new pattern of Davies ideas for a major green predominantly at urban form. 'cultural' developments, and circulation, improved 'legibility' area and other public spaces. As such, they deal with the housing is fundamental to the for the user, and stronger links However, the major contenders potential formal results of realisation of ambitions for the with other elements of the area in terms of the jury were BDP largely unexplored and Northern Quarter and other such as the Corn Exchange. and EDAW. While recognising unknown economic and parts of the city. Thus, while the careful and relatively functional processes. Manchester might seek to The city authorities want a tight sensitive (albeit perhaps reinforce the retail core with retail core, with some additional commercial and familiar) While the jury recognised that new leisure and cultural 'quality' retail space. Reading detailing of BDP's project, the the Manchester competition functions, and so ease the between the lines, however, choice of EDAW presumably was a 'first step', and that threat of peripheral shopping, there is arguably less expresses the jury's emphasis various factors would require only a fundamental change in confidence in the prospects for on a forceful policy for urban more time to resolve, the results the nature of urban life can development beyond an design and the capacity to of the competition raise generate enough demand to expanded Arndale Mark II. At meet a three-year programme. common concerns regarding satisfy planning ambitions in this point, other elements of the the persistence of the the different areas of the city. In programme are tabled with less 'architectural imagination' in short, we must hope that each conviction. While the prospects Winning Scheme urban design. The five short- development promotes further for office development are listed projects are generally demand, and a gradual limited, the potential for new EDAW's proposals include: couched in physical terms; reformation of the relationship leisure functions to the north of albeit that each details a largely between people and the city. the Arndale raises the issue of • A pedestrianised axis imaginary functional structure. Manchester's urban design demand. In addition, the limited linking St. Ann's Square, Broadly, the competitors adopt competition has aided that demand for city centre housing the Arndale area, the Corn a definition of urban design as process by stirring interest in might be met in other parts of Exchange and Cathedral 'architecture writ large'. They the future of the core, and by the central area. • A Millennium centre with present visions which are exposing some of the theatre, arts and based on buildings, individual questions which confront its refreshment functions spaces and physical elements, redevelopment. # The Competitors • A Cathedral Close rather than on wider, structural • A major public space - urban design and planning Twenty-seven entries were Exchange Square issues. They are concerned lodged in response to the first • A new leisure centre with 'immediate space' rather stage of the competition, and • The Arndale 'winter garden' than with principles spun from Visit
Danube Bend and the Mongols and Turks. Today Budapest the town is the seat of Hungary's archbishopric and Alan Stones describes the has a massive 19th century o neo-classical cathedral. In study tour he organised to 1325 the capital moved to Visegr&d, also on the Danube Hungary in May 1996. Bend. Only remnants of the royal palace there survive, but a dramatically sited fortress to The Danube bend is the point defend the river against the at which the mighty river, which Mongols is still intact. The mainly flows from west to east, surrounding woods have been turns south for a few hundred used by modern architect Imre miles. The landscape is Makovecz for experimental dramatic, not unlike the Rhine structures using revived folk gorges, and here are situated a building techniques. number of places of 14 importance to the identity of the Also on the Danube Bend are Hungarian nation. Our visit the Baroque towns of Vac and here, and our stay in Budapest, Szentendre, the latter a Serb made us aware of a number of settlement with Serb Orthodox themes that have to do with the churches in Baroque guise. Hungarian search for national Near Szentendre is the national identity. open air buildings museum, with village architecture from a The Hungarians were relative number of regions of Hungary. latecomers on the European So far this is only partly scene, having conquered the complete, but there was present Hungarian territory in enough to give us a fascinating the 10th century. In 1240, at the overview of various folk height of town and monument traditions. building in the rest of Europe, Hungary was invaded by the These folk traditions have been Mongols, who laid waste half of not so much drawn on as the existing settlements. Then reinvented a number of times in in 1526 the Hungarian nation recent history. The city of was dismembered by the Budapest, with its dramatic simple geometric shapes and Turks. As a result, very little setting on the Danube, is volumes of great power. The survives from the mediaeval divided into the hill-top bastion Farkasret cemetery hall in period, and for three centuries of Buda on the right bank, with Budapest was the only the Hungarian capital was its largely 18th century substantial example we were outside present day Hungary at Hapsburg architecture, and the able to visit, as Makovecz has Bratislava (now in Slovakia). By extensive 19th century city of not had many major the 18th century the Austrian Pest on the left bank. The commissions and his works are Hapsburgs had ousted the development of Pest was at its scattered around the country. Turks, and a period of height when the celebrations of However, the Prince of Wales is prosperity ensued. However, the millennium of the Hungarian known to be very interested in the areas devastated by the conquest in 1896 gave rise to a Makovecz's approach, and Turks were repopulated by surge of interest in national summer 1997 will see a major other nationalities, such as identity. Architects such as exhibition and permanent Serbs and Slovaks, and the Odon Lechner and Karoly Kos Makovecz building erected in Hungarians were only ever devised an eclectic national London. junior partners in the Austro- style based on folk art motifs, Hungarian Empire. Hungary Finnish and even Persian Our final port of call before finally became a nation again in architecture using coloured leaving Hungary was the town 1918, but paid the price for majolica tiles. Pest is thus well of Sopron on the border with being on the wrong side in the endowed with idiosyncratic Austria. Neither the Mongols First World War by losing over hotels, public buildings and nor the Turks penetrated this half its territory, so to this day offices from the Art Nouveau far, and so Sopron remains a Top: Serb Orthodox there are substantial Hungarian period. mediaeval walled town with Churches, minorities in neighbouring many of its original features; a Szentendre countries. More recently, in reaction fascinating glimpse of what Middle: Museum of against the sterility of the slab might have been in the rest of Applied Arts, Budapest by Odon Esztergom on the Danube blocks of the Communist Hungary. # Lechner Bend was Hungary's first period, architects such as Imre capital, and retains parts of the Makovecz and Group Pecs Bottom: Firewatch original royal palace, including have invented yet another Tower, Sopron a superb 12th century chapel national tradition based on the which survived destruction by use of natural materials and Topic
The Quality in Town and Country Initiative was launched by
M- John Gummer in July 1994 to raise awareness and under- o a~a standing of the importance of good design and quality in c o Pa buildings and the built environment as a whole. c The Urban Design Campaign, a key part of the wider Quality Initiative, was launched in June 1995 to encourage
a) wider debate, particularly at the local level, about urban
design and its contribution to enhancing the built environ-
ment; to promote an exchange of ideas, proposals and It 15 f» local experience; to encourage attention to urban design
iifii / considerations at an early stage in the development
process; and, more specifically, to gain practical experi- the solution for it recognises that the quality of the built A i environment is not determined by buildings alone. Local O it identity and quality derive from the intricate relationships fl) between the many elements that make up the built envi- ronment. By placing greater emphasis on urban design we help ensure that urban life remains attractive." 3 "I believe that the experience of these case studies will help demonstrate the benefits of giving proper attention to v matters of urban design. I want to see new development a> adding to a sense of place, of identity, and of civic pride." The following pages illustrate the schemes that were selected as case studies and Peter Studdert, Joe Holyoak S" ti and Peter Verity offer their reactions to the DoE initiative, 3 from their public sector, teaching and private consultancy viewpoints respectively. Topic / Urban design Campaign Comments by Lessons Comments by Joe Holyoak Peter Studdert There is no easy way to carry out a genuine The 21 schemes in the exhibition will have These are confusing times for the local consultation programme on a difficult been successful to the extent that their politically-minded urban designer. One site. A number of techniques were production has encouraged a debate in O week you can be in the sterile and illustrated, but the results seemed to be their area about how urban design can authoritarian surroundings of Canary Wharf, very mixed and the presentation of contribute to the area's improvement. This watching the unedifying spectacle of outcomes somewhat rose-tinted (I couldn't was one of John Gummer's three main property developers and national retailers help being amused by Poole's aims. The exhibition itself was an genuflecting to the Labour Party's questionnaire that asked 'what would you opportunity to continue that debate. But the Environment team, and hearing Keith Vaz do if you had a magic wand?' and which decision to hold it at the RIBA seems to be proclaim Canary Wharf as a 'triumph of got only a 5% response: not much faith in a dubious one; although it now calls itself imagination and enterprise over magic on the south coast then). the Architecture Centre, it is not yet bureaucracy'; the next you can be in the perceived as a public location. In addition, equally sterile and authoritarian There do seem to be some very good the form of the 21 displays was fairly surroundings of the RIBA Headquarters, examples of Development Briefs emerging resistant to absorption by lay people. The but witnessing a quite different spectacle: from this Campaign, and as the culmination temptation was to cram into each display an exhibition displaying the fruits of John of the Campaign is going to be a 'good panel every bit of information on the 16 Gummer's highly personal crusade for practice guide', then this could be of happenings of the six months or so that the public involvement in urban design at the enormous help to local planning authorities. scheme was in progress. The most local level. However, it will be interesting to see frequently expressed comments in the whether the final built products (if they visitors' book at the exhibition were that it was too wordy, there was too much material What conclusions can one draw from these actually happen) live up to aspirations of to grasp, it was too much like hard work. seemingly paradoxical events? It is the briefs that have been produced. perhaps that, on the one hand, the Labour Party feels that in order to be taken The role of local authorities in initiating and As demonstrations of urban design, the seriously as a 'Party Fit To Govern The co-ordinating complex exercises in urban best displays tended to be the ones which Nation' it has to somehow be seen to design has never been better illustrated. had bravely edited their material down to endorse the destructive narrow- The overwhelming majority of Case Studies manageable proportions, and included a mindedness of City institutions? And on the showed the local authority at the heart of large, comprehensible aerial perspective of other, that after seventeen years spent the process, and if the main outcome of the proposals as their central image. The enthusiastically dismantling and Campaign is greater support from schemes for Worcester, Ashford and disenfranchising local institutions the Government for authorities who are striving Southwark all came into this category. One Government has thrown up a kind of a for quality in design then this is major step would imagine as well that in an exhibition rogue gene in the form of John Gummer forward (although let's wait for some more intended for public consumption there who miraculously contradicts all that has evidence from appeal decisions before we would be an avoidance of professional gone before him? start getting too excited). jargon of the kind that we speak to each other. But sadly not; there was too much But one really shouldn't carp, because the The exhibition also illustrated the point that stuff like "strengthen existing historic urban Urban Design Campaign has given good urban design takes time and money. grain with the introduction of new market welcome support and encouragement to a The Government is quite wrong to assume shopping"(Southwark again). A new diverse range of local initiatives, and the that the development process can Cornmarket perhaps? Government is promoting many of the necessarily be speeded up by an principles that underpin these initiatives aspiration for high quality in design. Bad, through the proposed changes to PPG 1. simplistic, single use design is actually The Process very quick and easy to do (which is why we But what of the exhibition itself? As a got so much of it during the eighties when One of the reasons for the denseness of spectacle I have to say that it was controls were relaxed by John Gummer's many of the displays was the attempt by extremely hard going. Twenty one predecessors). The best schemes are often their authors to document not only the presentations of neck-wrenching detail do the most difficult, particularly if they are product of the urban design process, but not make for a particularly engaging trying to tackle brown land sites and also the process itself. This was an entirely spectacle for the visitor. Even the most promote complex mixed uses that funding proper motive, stemming from another of dedicated urban designer would be wilting institutions often fail to support. These John Gummer's objectives, to encourage after poring through the outcome of the schemes also require the highest degree of collaboration and consultation at a local sixteenth local consultation exercise. I hate intervention from the local authority level. Most of the 21 projects seem to take to think what an unwitting member of the because market forces work against them. this requirement more or less seriously public would have felt about it (comments (except Charlestown Harbour, where we on the visitors' book were not reassuring). If any lasting good is to come from this were told that "when (the feasibility study Campaign then it must involve a much is) completed there will be full consultation The schemes themselves covered an greater degree of trust from Central with the local community" I) There was impressive variety of situations, and many Government in Local Government's ability evidence of use of a number of different were trying to grapple with the difficult to be creative and forward-looking in consultation techniques during the process question of mixed uses. From a public promoting quality in design at the local - public meetings, workshops, exhibitions, sector perspective I thought that there were level. Even though the Urban design surveys and questionnaires, Planning for a number of interesting lessons described Campaign is a very welcome initiative, Real, and so on. below. there is still a strong impression of 'Nanny knows best' in its rather hectoring style that However, the exhibition posed two is not diminished by the feeling that, for problems. How can one show the urban once, Nanny is possibly right. # design process rather than the product in an exhibition format, and what did the consultation process contribute to the final Comments by Peter Verity product? The case studies demonstrate the In response to the first question, most of importance of clear objectives as an the 21 entries struggled. Some, like the essential tool in the planning, design and Chester entry, resorted to the tired tactic of development processes. Objectives must showing photographs of people talking be set from the outset - they will guide the around tables. A few had video displays, process, reinforce the vision and underpin which can be effective in conveying the development brief. They act as the process, but as usual only one was criteria against which development working when I was there, and it simply proposals can be tested and evaluated. showed a movie of the site. Ashton-under- Lyne and Wimbledon had a chronological The most often stated objective of the structure to their display, giving less presented case studies is the emphasis to the final product and more to reinforcement of the existing identity - an incremental sequence of stages through consequently very few of the case studies the project, and succeeded in conveying a question the recreation of an historic origin. convincing picture of the process. The answer to the second question is almost The Product totally a mystery. Vision What of the urban design product itself? In all cases, professional consultants were Vision is the guiding light through the The best proposals were good, but employed. One assumes that the display planning and development process. A unremarkable. The Birmingham scheme panels and the urban design proposals on shared vision must be in the mind of the was an effective piece of site planning; the them were their work, and that they have client and all the members of the team - the Bridgwater scheme a well-considered professional "ownership" of them. Each celebration of a sustainable and robust proposal for residential expansion with display had a list of names of key identity and the creation of settings in echoes of Poundbury; the Worcester participants - mostly local authorities, which future generations will wish to live by scheme (a section shown above) a chambers of trade, landowners, civic choice. The vision must shine through, be framework for urban mending with a societies, public utilities, and soon. reinforced by the development briefs, to riverside park and the new orthodoxy of Perhaps significantly, although every prevent the lowest common denominator perimeter blocks. If Gummer's team draw presentation claimed public consultation as from becoming the norm. The clear, theme- from these a code for good practice, it part of its process, only one, Twyford's, giving, vision will offer hope and instil civic could do a lot worse. But one looked in vain listed its residents under "key participants". pride, giving enthusiasm and motivation to for a really remarkable contribution to the It was not clear how public consultation everyone involved. It will allow planning art of urban design. Most schemes were had positively shaped any of the schemes. and design to proceed in confidence and fairly ordinary, with two which, if any quality It was hard to see any evidence of a thus make the possible, probable. control had been exercised, would in my collective process at work which might be view not have been there at all a model for how urban design might (Charlestown harbour and Rochford). regenerate the clapped-out sites that Context provided the majority of locations. There was nothing that remotely approached, for Certainly most end-of-year exhibitions of A dominant concern of the case studies is example, the innovative process graduate schools of urban design are likely the definition and determination of the size orchestrated by Lucien Kroll at the to contain schemes of more challenging of study area. "Two tight and the broader University of Louvain in the 70s. quality. It is a pity, perhaps, that the context will be lost, too loose and the educational academies were not given a process becomes diluted". Unfortunately, more influential role within the 21 projects At its lowest, public participation in urban the case studies have tended to focus on (although it must be said that the design manifested itself as the opportunity the issue of "grain" and fail to demonstrate involvement of the progressive Oxford to choose from alternative proposals. In any real understanding of the broader Brookes University as consultant in the Twyford's case, however, the alternatives urban context. It is as if, in the nineties, by Stoke-on-Trent scheme did not produce seemed to have been generated at a public moving from the big to the small picture - in anything of any great significance). Should workshop, and the selections made at down sizing and focusing on urban villages one expect innovation from an exercise like another two, apparently successfully, - we fail to understand the dynamics and this, or be satisfied with a high standard of despite the final workshop's coinciding with potential dynamics of towns and cities. The ordinariness (to borrow Bob Maguire's the FA Cup Final (a rare event, this, the case studies are presented as sites or phrase)? If Britain's future urban admission in the display of a mistake), But areas with firm boundaries, few developments are designed to standards at its worst, as in the Canterbury scheme, demonstrate their potential within the drawn from the best schemes in this urban design was represented as big greater urban matrix or recognise any exhibition, it will be a great improvement on commercial architecture, in the form of four potential for "knock-on" into a broader area. the present, and will justify the organisation competing schemes (by BDP, Chapman of the Urban Design Campaign. But.... how Taylor, RHWL, and Lyons Sleeman Hoare), It is a conventional tool of the urban design I regretted there not being one scheme of from which citizens were asked to select process to analyse the physical context such exceptional quality that it sent me out their favourite. This is public participation and the historical attributes of an area. The into Portland Place with a spring in my step as mere tokenism, the bottom rung on urban case studies generally take the and a song on my lips, wanting to tell my Sherry Arnstein's Ladder of Participation. I position that the recreation of an historic students "You've got to go and see this!". # was pleased to see a resident of urban structure is the way forward. What is Canterbury condemning it in the visitor's often absent is originality, it is as if in the book. enthusiasm to correct the impact of post war road planning and lack of physical planning we are trying to "recreate" a world Topic / Urban design Campaign that never was; ill though out conservation physical environment. Ideally the teams the process is developer led as it is often is now in danger of strangling original would reflect this and comprise in addition difficult for a local authority to find adequate thought. There is so much urban damage, to planners, engineers, ecologists and funding for the professional urban design let us not just timidly "darn" and recreate landscape architects; economists, property services. o the indifferent, but recognise that consultants and developers who can take a opportunities exist to create new urban strong and realistic commercial view and morphologies that can be the real ensure that the development has the Development Briefs contribution of our age. Where appropriate maximum "knock-on" effect onto the we can create a new and distinctive broader economic base. The case studies demonstrate that the character and put "theme park Britain" to development brief is a lynch-pin in the one side. The smaller the sites chosen as case development process, it serves either as studies the closer the response is to the culmination of the process or as the "architecture" and the larger the area is, the start depending on the scale, complexity Client shallower the architectural thought. This and strategy for the area addressed. may reflect a polarisation of architectural Who sets the agenda? The case studies input or an imbalance in the professional The case studies also demonstrate that the demonstrate that from the outset of the teams, with architects often ill qualified to breadth and degree of prescription of the planning process there is a need to identify work at a broad scale. development brief will determine the quality 18 the real client. The client who commissions of development. The degree of prescription studies or the client who owns the land may is a vital key. Too prescriptive and the result be very different from the client who Process may be without coverage or true conviction, generates wonderful wish lists. This while too little prescription may deter the ambiguity seems particularly true where a In response to the DoE's guidance the case realisation of the vision. local authority or community group studies have placed great emphasis on the prepares a development brief for an area consultative process and encouraging The commercial viability of urban design which it neither owns nor for which it will be collaboration and consultation at the local proposals must be demonstrated both in the developer. level, though one wonders if there has been the immediate and longer term futures. a clear understanding as to who is the "real Therefore, the urban design process must The "real client" needs to have the vision, client". The case studies have, however, include a cost benefit analysis linked with a dynamism, enthusiasm and commitment to undertaken consultation at very different strong investment strategy which together seethe proposals implemented. Local stages in the urban design process, some will reveal new possibilities, added value, Authority attitudes vary enormously and are have involved the broader community from and change market perception. Urban often against development, while the the outset in the preparation of a design should bring economic benefits, planning position must change from being development brief, while others have generate employment and wealth beyond reactive to being proactive. Strong local explored a series of development the boundaries of the site. The urban government is a requirement if the optimum strategies and then invited comment. It has design process must be able to number of objectives are to achieved; fiscal been noted, in several of the cases, that it demonstrate to potential developers that strength, the ability to cross subsidise and may be dangerous to drive the process of there is added value to be obtained by use planning gain are probably exactly the consultation and development too fast as accepting the development brief. instruments which local authorities require the processes of urban design may have to to maximise the opportunities. be gradual. Implementation The concept of "stakeholders" in the There seems from the case studies to be planning and development process also great merit in exploring and openly testing Implementation is a great stumbling block needs to be looked at carefully. a series of broad based and different and the case studies highlight the need for "Stakeholding" is a privilege and the opinions and of not focusing too early, or the processes of implementation to be identification of "stakeholders" can only be too narrowly on the process. While several urgently addressed. It is clearly important determined by the requirements of a case studies note that they found to be able to identify as early as is practical particular area. Landowners are key advantages in looking at solutions which in the urban design process the right "stakeholders" and their participation in the had been tried and tested elsewhere it is vehicle and mechanisms to take process is critical; developers however are important not to let precedence block the responsibility for implementation. not necessarily "stakeholders" as their real potential and inhibit originality - this is interest may be very short term. The lesson after all a design process. The urban design initiative needs to offer of the case studies is that the success is vision and to be vibrant and courageous in only likely to be achieved through the The case studies have also demonstrated a its dynamism. As a display of shared involvement and commitment of the right variety of approaches to making the critical experiences the Department of the people in the client role acting as a steering leap from development brief to Environment's urban design exhibition was committee, guiding with enthusiasm the implementation. In the case of Huddersfield barely legible, but perhaps its greatest development process through to the development brief was used as the achievement will be to have offered hope. # implementation. basis for a design competition which then invited public comment. The consultation process is by definition a compromise and Study team there is the difficulty of ensuring that the original vision shines through. This problem The case studies demonstrate that strong is compounded when realisation becomes team leadership must co-ordinate all the the responsibility of a narrow commercial players in the process if the vision is to be developer. However, a long consultative implemented. Urban design is a drawstring process is a time consuming and activity which brings together all expensive activity which needs to be considerations which impinge on the adequately resourced. This is easier when o Ashford, Kent Ashford Borough Council fi) Robert Rummey Associates A public-private sector partnership of 0) project funders has rolled forward work on the Victoria Road site and several other important development opportunity sites in the town. From day one the emphasis has been on generating design ideas which are both of high quality and realistically The process has involved a 'development opportunities forum' to which landowners and organisations with an interest in the area have been invited; targeted consultation with landowners, businesses and residents in the area to discuss initial ideas; and follow-up consultation on specific design issues. It is the participation of local people which has been crucial in shaping the final scheme. Newsletters, a survey of residents' perceptions, informal community design meetings, schoolchildren's analysis of the area as well as many other discussions have brought forward ideas and responses. The outcome is a scheme with an exciting but friendly design and one with good prospects of being built. A critical feature of the scheme is the sensitive transition from the commercial element nearest the International Station towards an expanded residential area. Existing problems of traffic Top: View of existing and parking, noise from the railway and area with the Victoria poor pedestrian and cycle routes through Road site shown in the site have all been tackled by the the upper section. proposed design. The potential of the Middle: Development riverside is unlocked by improved access possibilities including and habitat creation, contributing to the offices, hotel, leisure developing network of riverside routes uses and housing. through the town. Above: Site becomes part of a landmark entrance to Ashford by train. Topic / Urban design Campaign Ashton-under-Lyne Tameside Metropolitan Borough Taylor Young Urban Design D Henry Square, Ashton-under-Lyne, is a run- down area on the fringe of the town centre. It is part of the original eighteenth century town plan for Ashton and currently consists of a series of semi-derelict and vacant buildings, land cleared for car parking and the former baths. The only recent investment is a new Magistrates Court, currently under construction on the north side of the Square which needed to be complemented by other projects within a clear urban design framework. As part of a community-based approach to 20 the preparation of design options for the site, the main stakeholders in the area were identified - local businesses, residents, community groups and staff from the planning, housing and economic development departments of the Council - and brought together in a series of workshops. The workshops, in which 'SWOT Analysis' was used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the area, provided the platform for generating urban design options. The key principle that emerged was the need to reconnect and integrate the Square with the town centre and surrounding residential renewal area. It was agreed that the area could secure a future for itself by providing local shopping, leisure and social facilities for residents; in particular by refurbishment and re-use of the listed former baths; and by creating an attractive civic space as a back drop to the Magistrates Court. Two principal options emerged with general support. First, an approach based upon refurbishment of existing buildings for community and local employment uses. drop' extstiog retsed ptaza redevelop 2-3 shops with existing industrial block to be Second, a more radical option, requiring residential and include new play refurbished for housing area extensive demolition of redundant buildings new street link to Henry Square from Richmond Park with the introduction of leisure and commercial uses. improved traffic management The preferred scheme combines aspects of both schemes. It reflects the fact that Henry limited surface car park to Square is recognised as a primary public dual as 'flea market square open space with three key functions; a 'gateway' to the town centre; an entrance to within garden the Magistrates Court; and a civic space. space of courts bams retained Greater enclosure of the Square is hotel mosque achieved by promoting new buildings and leisure re-use of presently vacant and under- potential expansion utilised space, whilst important buildings of the old town fabric are restored. To bring forward development, the brief promotes a cycle routes form part of clearance of certain buildings with a view area network to encouraging a greater intensity of Improved boundary to new housing I commercial uses development and a wider mix of uses. Fire station Stage 3 Bridgwater, Somerset Sedgemoor District Council Bridgwater currently faces further housing o expansion. The size of the development will constitute 10% of Bridgwater's housing stock and 10% of its land area, and will have a major impact on the town and its surroundings. Concern that this new development should avoid becoming just another 'suburban sprawl' with little defined quality or character led Sedgemoor District Council to join together with prospective developers to look at ways of achieving a quality development which would enhance 21 the local sense of place. The starting point was to take a long look at existing residential areas - 'learning from the locality'. This exercise, including analysis of the historic local built form of housing in the town (layout, height, Above: New massing, scale, use of materials, etc) development helped to identify the basic design area which principles which should guide future consists of two housing development. arms extending from the southern The preferred urban design option, fringe of prepared in concert with the developers, Bridgwater, involves varying densities of housing with separated by a focus areas defined by higher building flood plain. densities and a concentration of social Right: Stockmoor facilities. Key attributes include: Park is the eastern arm and is more urban in • the establishment of two village-style character. The neighbourhoods with streets created upper sketch by buildings which reflect the evolution shows a higher of local styles and traditional local density layout building materials; and the lower a medium density • the layout of the residential areas solution. guided by the aim of creating a sense of place rather than dictated by highway considerations. Traffic calming to be achieved by creating clusters of buildings. The final development proposals are included in a master plan which has undergone local public consultation and has gained strong support. The scheme will now be incorporated into a development brief within which planning applications must be framed. It is hoped that, with the new urban design framework now in place, new development will not only provide the homes needed but will show how they can add to, and enhance, the character and quality of the town. Topic / Urban design Campaign Bristol - Lewins Mead Bristol City Council The objective of this scheme was to reconnect a commercial area with the centre and reduce the impact of traffic.Lewins Mead, Bristol, is a large site lying at the heart of the city between the major shopping centre, Broadmead, and the historic city centre and Harbourside. The area is dominated by unsuccessful and obsolete 1960s commercial office blocks which loom over traffic choked streets. It is a harsh and unfriendly environment. Hanover Property Unit Trust, owners of three core office blocks saw little future in their existing buildings or environment and together with architects, key interest groups including adjoining owners, and Bristol City Council set about devising a development framework which would: reduce the impact of traffic; create pedestrian links between Broadmead and Above: View of the the city centre/Harbourside; and provide realistic development opportunities to site showing facilitate the area's regeneration. overhead walkways that were universally criticised in the public The framework was developed by workshop. analysing a series of key issues including Below: Ideas showing the archaeology of the site, the scope for the potential of a diverting traffic, the movement of linear market within pedestrians and a range of possible uses. pedestrianised spaces. The public were involved by means of a workshop day, which included representatives from a wide range of local groups and professions. The participants were split into groups, briefed on critical issues and left to formulate ideas for the future of the area. Common aspirations emerged which reinforced the principal participants' views and aided the formulation of the final design framework. This involved the concentration of through traffic onto one route instead of the current three, the other two routes being dedicated to a public transport corridor and, of greatest importance, a pedestrianised route forming the link between Broadmead and the city centre. This would create a new 'heart' to the area from which further pedestrian links would flow to nearby historic streets, including the mediaeval Christmas Steps. All were unanimous on one point - "demolition of the concrete overhead walkways"! The Lewins Mead study, through analysis and wide ranging consultation, has produced a strong and realisable framework for future development. Implementation will fundamentally alter the character of the area so that it becomes not only the much needed link between Broadmead and the centre but also a viable element in the life and vibrancy of the city in its own right. Bottom: The intention uses, including housing; and create an is to turn backland attractive new identity making the best use and the ring road into of the historic location of the site. a grand civic corridor. These principles were developed by a Partnership 'design team' to show how regeneration could achieve benefits for the whole community. The major features include: mending the townscape by reconnecting the severed street pattern and strengthening landmarks and focal points; introducing a variety of safe pedestrian crossing points to link with the surrounding area; improving the subways, bringing them partly within the private realm; creating new pedestrian links across the canal, and opening the canal banks for public recreation; identifying opportunities for new pedestrian space and new streets; defining edges to the ring road by building frontages and formal planting; introducing a lively mix of cultural, commercial and residential uses; and devising effective options for managing traffic, including buses and cycles. The next stage will be to test these ideas again with the local community and landowners. A clear message emerging from the public's participation is the desire for environmental quality to take precedence over highway concerns. bottom: scheme by oe traditional streets and squares, Chapman Taylor compatible building heights and plot Partnership widths, and use of local materials. In general terms, the brief recommends that the development should provide a sympathetic late twentieth century addition to the city in contemporary style. Following approval of the brief in April, four leading firms of architects were commissioned to prepare master plans and conceptual designs for the Whitefriars area. The four schemes were exhibited in Canterbury in early July and a full public consultation carried out ending in early September. Over twelve hundred people visited the exhibition which was well publicised in the press. Special presentation evenings were held for local organisations, and for local businesses and retailers. The Canterbury branch of RIBA undertook a special two day 'design school' helping local people translate their ideas in graphic form. Pupils from local primary schools produced their own ideas. Many hundreds of comments and suggestions are being analysed with a view to finalising the master plan and selecting architects to prepare detailed planning applications. Topic / Urban design Campaign Caterham-on-the-Hill Tandridge District Council Broadway Malyan Q Exploring options for mixed-use redevelopment of a large vacant Ministry of Defence site in the Green Belt. Caterham Barracks is a vacant Ministry of Defence (MoD) site on the edge of the built-up area of Caterham-on-the-Hill. The Barracks have existed for over 120 years and after their closure in 1995 Tandridge District Council in consultation with the MoD began to consider an appropriate future for the site. 24 The District Council, with the support of other key players has taken the lead in working towards proposals for the site. This has been achieved by setting up a Local Group comprising Councillors, Officers from the District and County Council, consultants to the MoD and to the District Council, representatives from the local chamber of trade, residents association and the local history society.The wider community has been encouraged to join in, for instance by means of an open day including free coach tours of the site. The Local Group worked through a number of steps towards devising urban design options for the site. The first stage was to designate most of the 16 hectare site as a conservation area, to ensure that the best of the historic and architectural heritage could be kept. The Group also took into account other constraints such as the need for improved access and the relationship with adjoining existing residential areas. A number of different urban design options were then worked up based on different amounts of new development and the retention and re-use of converted buildings. A common theme, however, is to allow for Top: Plan shows the mixed development of a variety of uses to important existing meet local needs. In particular, many of the features of the existing buildings offer scope for Barracks and refurbishment for local employment uses, Conservation area especially for small new firms becoming boundary. established in the area, and also for Above: A series of redevelopment as community and leisure options were facilities. The whole site offers scope for produced for the site. quality new development to blend in with Option 2 illustrates the the historic setting. It could also provide a conversion of some of distinct new sense of place in an area the barracks into which has long been dominated by the residential use and the presence of the Barracks and has been addition of various affected by its closure. types of housing. The parade ground is The next stage is for the Local Group to developed for consider the results of consultations and employment in this these will then be used to produce a more option with the chapel detailed development brief to guide used for community disposal and development of the site. and leisure purposes. Top and middle: Plan Charlestown, Cornwall and elevation of new harbour building Restormel Borough Council proposed within the dock basin Securing a new economic future for an D Bottom: Site Plan historic Georgian port whilst preserving illustrates the layout and enhancing the existing built heritage. of the harbour area and to west and east Charlestown, a small village with an existing rundown unspoilt Georgian harbour, is located near industrial buildings the town of St Austell in Cornwall. The which can be historic harbour has played a significant converted to provide part in Cornwall's maritime past. It now accommodation for needs to secure a future. port and marine industry, commercial, A working commercial port, based on the residential and china clay trade, Charlestown has reached specialist training a crossroads as a result of the decline in 25 uses. commercial cargoes of bulk china clay and lack of investment in the harbour stretching back over many years. The port's private owners, Square Sail Shipyard Ltd, who acquired the harbour in 1994, are working together with key local landowners and seeking to involve the whole village, whose future is intrinsically linked to the continued prosperity of the port. Square Sail instigated a feasibility study and design process with the main aims of: • identifying ways of securing the long term economic viability of Charlestown as a working port; • developing and enhancing the status of the port as a centre for maritime industrial heritage in order to meet the needs of residents and visitors alike; and • protecting and enhancing the built heritage of the port and the conservation area of Charlestown. The main principles of design have been to provide new industrial and commercial buildings and structures in a traditional style commensurate with the historic and conservation status of the harbour and its environment. The preferred option includes a new harbour building located within the dock basin and sympathetic refurbishment of a range of existing rundown and redundant buildings. The buildings are intended for port and marine industrial, commercial, residential and specialist training uses. Following completion of the feasibility study and consultation with the local community, the next stage will be to finalise the detailed design proposals and submit a full planning application. Various possible sources of funding have been identified. Topic / Urban design Campaign Chester - Gorse Stacks Chester City Council D Gorse Stacks is a prominent city centre site immediately north of Chester's historic city wall and canal. Today the area is dominated by the 1960s inner ring road which cuts through the street pattern, separating communities from neighbouring shops, leaving a legacy of vacant land, disused buildings, dank subways and ugly traffic barriers. It provides an unfavourable impression of Chester's city centre for many arriving by road. Gorse Stacks offers a key opportunity to create a vibrant new city 'quarter' as well as healing the scars left by the inner ring road. 26 The process of regeneration is being led by the Chester Action Partnership which represents all the major public, private and Top: Plan showing voluntary sector organisations in the city. A 1898 map with 1966 collaborative approach to design has been ring road overlaid. adopted involving meetings with retailers Middle: Perspective and business people, and workshops with of section of ring road residents, to find out about local concerns. showing some Design sessions have been held with local original streets professionals and a workshop for Council reintroduced, members focused on how the area could boulevard treatment be reclaimed for people. to the ring road, island roundabout The guiding principles which emerged from development and these sessions were to make the area more better use of friendly for pedestrians, improve public canalside sites. troncnnrf I i r-\ L/t> • ir^cs rnmno + ihln rinu/ Canterbury - Whitefriars ? 0) Canterbury City Council o Canterbury is an historic walled city of D international importance. The Whitefriars area which occupies eight per cent of land within the city wall, was destroyed by bombing in the Second World War. Post- war redevelopment paid no regard to the historic character of the city. The result is buildings which are ugly, drab and out of scale: they are economically out of date and unloved by the people of Canterbury. Ownership of the area is largely shared between the City Council and property developers Land Securities pic both of which are keen to see the area enhanced and revitalised through sensitive 23 redevelopment. A draft development brief was prepared in early 1996. It proposes a range of uses including over thirty new shops, a replacement department store, new library Top left: Aerial view of and art centre, a new church, houses and existing site. apartments, a new bus station, as well as Above: Scheme by car parking and a range of options for Renton Howard Wood traffic circulation and servicing. Levin Left above: Scheme by From an urban design point of view, the Building Design brief requires the developers to create a Partnership proper urban townscape on a scale and Left below: Scheme by pattern which will fit with the grain of the Lyons Sleeman Hoare historic walled city. Key elements of this will Cinderford, Gloucestershire Forest of Dean District Council Devising an urban design strategy for The D Town in the Forest'. Lying between the Forest of Dean and the Severn estuary, Cinderford originated as the commercial centre of the Forest's unique squatter mining settlements. From the 1840s, the town built up rapidly through iron smelting and coal mining, but as these industries disappeared, this once-proud commercial and administrative centre of the Forest became shabby and run-down. In 1995, the Forest of Dean Management 27 Group, the District and Town Councils, Chamber of Commerce, and other local organisations came together to set up the Cinderford Partnership. They saw the town as having huge potential as an environmental and visitor centre for the Forest, with related shops and enterprises. The Partnership agreed that an urban design strategy was needed to identify ways in which to improve the town's general appearance, promote better quality development on the town's many small disused and vacant sites and to re-connect the town with the surrounding Forest. A 'design weekend' held in March, succeeded in bringing together local people, including planners, architects, landscape and urban designers, and also artists and craftspeople, with a view to generating ideas for improving the urban Top: A strong theme design of the town. Various themes were connects the Forest explored including: Edge to the Town Centre. Lakes at the • the historical layout of the town. The forest edge, a Visitor original dispersed settlement pattern Centre connected by and railway links with the Forest were a green route running examined leading to proposals for a through to the town 'green corridor' from the Forest edge centre triangle. through the settlements to the town Middle: Ideas for centre; converting a Victorian gas works into a • the dispersed town centre. Ways in Visitor Centre where which shops could be concentrated the unique products into a compact centre were discussed, of the area can be with proposals for a canopied craft displayed. market; and Bottom: logo used to advertise the • the relationship between the urban TOWN workshop event. fringe and Forest. Ways of improving the landscape of the Forest edge were examined leading to proposals to re- establish an attractive 'gateway' to the town from the Forest. A Partnership sub-group is currently firming up the various proposals which emerged from the workshop into a practical design-led regeneration strategy for the town. Topic / Urban design Campaign Digbeth, Birmingham o Birmingham City Council D Regenerating a site alongside the Grand Union Canal by restoring warehousing and designing new buildings for a mix of housing, commercial and heritage uses. Warwick Bar is a semi-derelict industrial site within a short walk of the centre of Birmingham. Despite years of neglect it remains an area of historic interest, located at the head of the Grand Union Canal and including a cluster of listed nineteenth century industrial buildings and warehouses. The site's proximity to the city centre together with its distinctive setting 28 offers great commercial and residential potential. Top: Site plan showing Recognising this potential, key members of strategic location of the Birmingham Design Initiative, Warwick Bar. principally British Waterways, the Right: University of Central England and the City 1 Existing site - tension Council, formed a partnership to draw up a between street and viable commercial vision for the area's canal. future. Joining with other interested parties, 2 Creating the setting - including local businesses and residents opening up the basins. associations, ideas, experience and 3 New structures - expertise were pooled in 'partner' defining the view. workshops. Wider community participation 4 Public Access - was encouraged through similar workshops entrance and routes and an education liaison project involving Below: Proposed design local schools. solution Preparation of the design and development brief for the site took account of key design principles developed in discussion in the workshops: that all proposals should respect the special character of the area and improve the setting of the existing historic buildings on the site; and that proposals should aim to realise the full potential of the canal in commercial and leisure terms. Adopting these key principles, the preferred design option makes the site's historical features - the canal and various listed buildings - the central theme. The scheme proposes a mix of uses, utilising existing buildings for office and light industry. It also creates new mixed-use buildings in the centre of the site, including housing, fronting the re-opened canal basins. The largest building on site is reserved for a major tourist attraction which will focus on Birmingham's industrial heritage and waterways, or be developed as a major design and exhibition centre. The result is both a response to the site's location and history and an expression of a rediscovered confidence in urban living with the project emphasising a people- friendly mix of new uses, particularly housing, and improved industrial access. Driffield, East Yorkshire Driffield Town Council RKD Partnership Architects D Redeveloping a run-down site at the heart of a small market town. Driffield, a small market town with a population of 11,000, grew to prominence as a service centre for the Yorkshire Wolds following canalisation of the River Hull and the introduction of the railways. In recent years, the retailing centre of the town has moved southwards and the Beckside area, immediately to the north east, has become a run-down, semi- 29 derelict eyesore. The site, 1.7 hectares, consists of a scrapyard and several large tin sheds, and waste ground used for car parking. It is bounded to the north by the cattle market pens and to the east by Driffield Beck. The Beck itself is little better than an open sewer which local people have long felt would benefit from environmental and landscaping improvements. Despite the area's recent decline, major food retailers have expressed interest in the site along with ancillary bodies seeking accommodation in the area. Recognising the site's potential as the next retail development area for Driffield town centre, local architects, together with major landholders, and with the support of Driffield Town Council, agreed the need to draw up a comprehensive scheme to provide a boost to retail and commercial enterprise in the town. It was agreed that this should meet local concerns about the need for environmental enhancement of the Beck, retention of the cattle market in its central location, a pedestrian link to the town centre and the provision of good quality buildings in keeping with the scale and character of the local Victorian architecture. Before drawing up options for the site, survey questionnaires were published in local newspapers to identify public aspirations for the site. The results were revealing: local people were dissatisfied with the recent deterioration of shopping facilities in the town, but did not want more food retailing. Instead, the call was for a greater diversity of shops, including clothing retailers; a small pedestrian The main features water and a new town houses and flats precinct was sought, together with leisure are: a museum, footbridge to a small over shops to ensure and cultural facilities to invigorate evening cinema and arts car park; a twenty-four hour life; life in the town. Incorporating the most theatre complex to be pedestrian arcade the pig and sheep popular local concerns, local architects located in a prominent leading to a public market to be prepared five alternative schemes which position overlooking square with a cafe; relocated to the cattle were viewed at a local exhibition and the Beck; the shops running along market in order to debated at a public meeting. The preferred Beckside to be the pedestrian link to rationalise lorry design solution was worked up from the pedestrianised the centre at Market movement; and car views expressed. including a lower Place; a mix of parking to be broken terrace next to the housing including up into smaller areas. Topic / Urban design Campaign Gateshead, lyne and Wear Gateshead Metropolitan Borough William Gower Partnership D The 2 hectare site is located within the original core of Gateshead and lies where the Tyne narrows to a gorge at its lowest practicable bridging point. The site falls dramatically from south-east to north-west, with a change in level of approximately twenty metres providing views to Newcastle on the north bank, including the Castle keep, Moot Hall, St. Nicholas's Cathedral on the horizon and the Guildhall and other listed buildings on the quayside. In 1849 the railway bridged the river at the top of the gorge slopes, leaving the 30 riverside to stagnate. Over the years, numerous schemes have been proposed for the site which the Deposit Draft Unitary Development Plan states "has considerable potential for business, leisure, tourist and residential uses". Top: View of Coming together with the site's landowners, proposed Gateshead Council and a firm of development. developers interested in the site, architects Bottom: Site plan prepared a development brief which was showing relationship used as the basis for consultation with a to River Tyne. number of interested parties, including the local community. An exhibition followed, mounted in council offices and a local supermarket, seeking views on the proposals. Following this, the principles which would inform the main features of the preferred design option were identified: a mix of uses which will generate activity, both day and night, to help provide the stimulus for long term regeneration of the area; development which preserves and enhances the site's historic buildings; restoration of the integrity of the site in relation to its surroundings; buildings and spaces in keeping with the historic scale and grain of the area; and greater pedestrian accessibility within a safe and pleasant environment. The preferred design option proposes a mix of uses including the refurbishment of both a listed hotel and pub for retail use, and conversion of an eighteenth century former tannery for use as small workshops. Proposed new development on the site is generally of two and three storey construction ensuring harmony with the scale of existing buildings. New buildings on the northern edge of the site providing business, residential and leisure uses, follow a flowing line overlooking the Tyne. Gaps in existing street frontages are filled reintroducing continuous street frontages in order to create a pedestrian-friendly urban environment. Huddersfield, South Yorkshire Kirklees Metropolitan Council Kirklees Metropolitan Council, working in partnership with local interest groups, developed an urban design strategy for creating a vibrant 'cultural quarter' in Huddersfield town centre. As part of the initiative the partners held an urban design competition for ideas to connect the town centre with its surroundings, including a conceptual design for a footbridge over the ring road creating a link with the university campus. Thirty eight entries were received from leading architectural firms and an Bruges Tozer as part of Queensgate Consultants (Bristol) were joint winners of the competition and took the view that a bridge would do permanent harm to the town and that it was more important to create a better pedestrian environment. In their proposal part of the ring road is closed; an amphitheatre is included to link the two levels of the town centre; a promenade and gardens link with the university; and the scheme includes water features. The other joint winner, Abbey Hanson Rowe with Kump & Takeda (Huddersfield/ London), concentrated on the design of the footbridge, which found favour with the public for its elegant and modern cantilever design. Their proposal consisted of a comprehensive design for the area including a retractable roof over the Piazza shopping centre which would make it an all-weather venue for various events. There would also be a botanical winter garden to provide an attractive link between the theatre area and the shopping centre. Top: Proposal by Bruges Tozer which The competition approach has led to a removed a section of wider range of ideas, a more effective the ring road. examination of design issues and greater Bottom: Scheme by public participation. The public responded Abbey Hanson Rowe favourably to Bruges Tozer's plan to rid the with Kump and town centre of a section of the ring road Takeda utilising a because of the environmental benefits in footbridge over the which the requirements of pedestrians ring road and a would take precedence over traffic. retractable roof over However, others raised doubts about the the Piazza shopping practicality of this part of their scheme. As centre. a result, the Council and other partners are giving serious consideration to elements of both winning schemes. Topic / Urban design Campaign Poole - 'Hands on Heart1 Poole Borough Council Roger Evans Associates O The town of Poole enjoys a magnificent waterfront setting and also a heritage of attractive urban spaces. Unfortunately, the 'heart' of the town has suffered from '60's development which is now looking tired and dated. Roads which were designed for the convenience of freely flowing traffic have become a barrier to pedestrian movement while the large indoor shopping centre sits astride the High Street, which is Left: A new square now effectively blocked. Major new acting as a focus for buildings sit isolated within their own plots the town centre and a while traffic divides the central area into a venue for concerts. 32 series of gyratories. Pedestrian movement Centre: Bird's eye within Kingland Road, the main town centre view of the square corridor, is further constrained by buses with the new bus manoeuvring in the town's rather station to the far right. unattractive bus station. Bottom: The main town centre traffic Poole has sought to reclaim the heart of the corridor is made a town for public life - hence the motto pedestrian-friendly 'Hands on Heart' - by forming a partnership shopping boulevard. between the Council, key landowners and the public. Urban designers Roger Evans Associates were selected to work with the Council's own team in facilitating public involvement and developing concepts. The public was presented with a blank sheet and asked to put forward its own ideas and aspirations for the town centre. To date there have been three stages to the consultation process; an 'awareness- building' exercise in the main shopping centre; public workshops at which design ideas were explored and 'ten commandments' generated against which future proposals would be assessed; an exhibition and workshops to assess a vision produced by the designers based on the first two stages of consultation. Design ideas seek to 'mend the mistakes of the Sixties'. The bus station is relocated, thus providing the opportunity to re-align Kingland Road so that it no longer sweeps past the front door of the Arts Centre. A public square is located in its place. This will act as a focus for the town centre. Kingland Road is made more pedestrian- friendly, easier to cross at ground level and becomes a shopping boulevard. 35,000 square metres of new retail/leisure floor space is created to attract expected new investment of around £90 million. New linkages are created across the railway and through the shopping centre. The 'Hands on Heart' project in Poole town centre clearly shows how an urban design approach to town centre issues can overcome political and technical deadlock, provide a cutting edge for solving complex town centre problems and hand back ownership of a town centre to the people. Rochford, Essex lowvrfs fn* /fymlancw/ p^-iy-r)- Rochford District Council Ventlla-Hcn louvres in g ablet •j* flain-hl* rce>f David Ruffle Architects o Integrating modern day retailing into the fabric of an historic town. Rochford is a mediaeval town with caft ytvvidlrq joca\ point -from myaye buildings clustered around a market Wo'Hi square. A disused site in the heart of the town has been identified as the ideal location for a new food store. Top: Indicative A 'project panel' comprising elevation to new representatives from the District and Parish public space with Councils, the Chamber of Trade and the palette of materials landowners was established at the outset 33 and colours drawn to guide the project and to provide from surrounding interface with the public. The panel buildings. appointed an architect to carry out a Below: Possible detailed analysis of the town and to layout of development prepare three design options for the with a new public development of the site based on two key space linking through principles: to the existing Market Square. • the need to have proper regard to the character of the historic town, and the need to enhance the character of the conservation area in which the supermarket will be located; and • the development of strong linkages between the site and the town centre. The design options, displayed in a town centre shop window, were the subject of much interest among local people, who indicated by returning questionnaires overwhelming support for the design and building materials proposed in the second option. This scheme involved a pitched roof tile-hung building with open car parking areas on its eastern and northern sides and a pedestrian open space to the south. The pedestrian open space would lead into a pedestrian link with the town's market square. There were some reservations regarding pedestrian movement through the site, security and traffic speed controls. These issues have been incorporated in the final design. The final design moves the store slightly further south towards the market square to allow more car parking spaces and a slightly enlarged store. This does mean, however, that the proposed open space is reduced in size together with tree planting on the southern boundary. Security features have also been introduced. Whilst the public consultation approach to the preparation of the brief has had the effect of validating much of the initial design work for the site, it has also raised awareness of the proposal and provided detailed information to help guide the character of the final design. Topic / Urban design Campaign Southwark, London Southwark Council Greig and Stephenson Architects Revitalising one of London's historic markets as part of the economic and cultural regeneration of north Southwark. The historic Borough Market is located on a 1.8 hectare site to the south-west of London Bridge, situated partly beneath a railway viaduct and next to Southwark Cathedral. The area contains a rich and dense mix of uses from civic and residential to offices and small workshops. The Market Trustees sponsored a RIBA competition to design a new retail market within the now partly disused site. The collective intention of the Trustees and of the architects awarded the commission is both to provide a new and exciting market as an attraction in its own right, and to improve the general quality and environment for the whole community by attracting a wide mix of uses to the site and surrounding area. Above: View of whole The market will comprise both retail and area indicating the wholesale elements. The retail market is to new open square be located around a new open square between the railway between the railway viaduct and Southwark viaduct and Southwark Cathedral and in existing sheds north of Cathedral. A new the railway. The wholesale market will floorscape will run occupy its current buildings but these will from Borough High be upgraded to meet current design and Street through to the commercial requirements. A new riverside. floorspace, stretching from Borough High Right: Detailed Street through the new retail and wholesale treatment of one of the markets, will link the Riverside Walk with streets in the area. The Globe and the new Tate Gallery. Bottom: View along Borough High Street. The square outside Southwark Cathedral will also act both as a temporary market place and a social and cultural heart for the locality. Winchester Walk is to be redeveloped along the southside. It is also suggested that much of the rest of the area's primary routes should be occupied at ground level by retail and commercial use to improve street activity, and in the process, make them safer places to use and enjoy. The market's extended use will improve the economic life of existing businesses and bring in new investment to reclaim some 10,000 square feet of trading space that is currently empty. Pedestrianisation will encourage the ownership of space by the local community and visitors alike The result will add to a revitalised economic and cultural heart of north Southwark. Stoke-on-Trent - Longton West The City of Stoke-on-Trent Exploring urban design issues as part of the commercial redevelopment of a pottery town 'gateway' site. Longton is one of the six pottery towns within the City of Stoke-on-Trent and the 6 hectare Longton West site is considered to be a key commercial development opportunity which, if carefully designed, could spark the regeneration of the town as a whole. The site provides a 'gateway' to the town centre from the new A50 dual carriageway, connecting the town with the East Midlands. The city of Stoke-on-Trent in conjunction with urban designers and local professional and community groups jointly developed an urban design brief for this important site. An intensive local consultation process began with a series of one day seminars and workshops introducing local professionals as well as residents to some basic principles of urban design. The concepts differed in the size and scale of commercial development that they proposed but included common design features: a mix of uses to encourage all day activity; retail units to be located nearer to the town centre side of the site in order to encourage shoppers into the existing shopping area; buildings orientated towards the street, rather than turned away, so as to stimulate 'active' street frontages and to create a pedestrian-friendly environment; permeable development, allowing pedestrian access through many points in the site to the town centre; and the use of landmark features, such as public art or an hotel, at the dual carriageway entrance to the site thereby announcing 'arrival' in Longton. Following public exhibition of the various schemes, and subsequent discussion of strengths and weaknesses at a further workshop, the final design brief for the site has been prepared taking on board the design features described above. A core Top: View of existing group of architects and planners is now site. devising a final design scheme Middle: Possible form incorporating these key principles. This will of redevelopment. provide a model for developers of ways in Above: Indicative which the site might be developed. ideas for building forms. The next stages will involve meeting the site's various landowners with the aim of reaching agreement on the marketing of the site. The establishment of a joint venture company and the use of the Private Finance Initiative is being investigated as a way of bringing the site forward for development. Topic / Urban Design Campaign Ttoyford, Berkshire uj. Wokingham District Council D Enhancing the viability of a village by mixed-use redevelopment. Twyford is an historic village with 5,500 inhabitants in central Berkshire, five miles east of Reading and seven miles west of Maidenhead. bMO)Sfc U The site lies at the heart of the village, adjoining the principal shopping area at the village crossroads and neighbouring residential areas. It consists of almost 2 hectares of under-used land owned by BT and a number of private ownerships plus 36 another hectare which is occupied by a poorly designed 1960s shopping arcade and adjacent bowling green. The local plan •row own.* identifies the site for mixed-use development. Integration of new development within the existing fabric of the village centre would require a comprehensive urban design approach. Wokingham District Council sought from the beginning to develop a design brief for the site by the direct involvement of the public, the landowners and traders. A Servicing < series of 'hands on design' public meetings and workshops over the period October 1995 to May 1996 generated ideas for the site and debated the relative merits. The sessions were organised in the form of interactive exercises, in which participants were encouraged to sketch on plans or elevations. The most popular feature throughout the process was a 1:200 scale 3D polystyrene model reproducing the site (•rvtclng and its immediate surroundings. A public exhibition of the more popular design options followed, a questionnaire being used to gather responses. The outcome is a scheme which should improve the viability of the village centre through a variety of uses, including quality open space, and, at the same time, retains Twyford's character. The detailed design includes a public open green with seating Top: Site analysis of and attractive planting; this is overlooked land available for by a small supermarket whose size, scale development. and building materials reinforce the present Below: Preferred character of the village; a landscaped car option incorporated park and a small housing development into the development linked to the existing residential area; and, brief for the site. finally, a small retail development which could possibly also accommodate a library. The contents of the preferred option have been incorporated in the development brief for the site produced by the District Council and which, with the Planning Committee's approval, now forms adopted supplementary planning guidance. Walsall, West Midlands Walsall Council The Civic Trust Regeneration Unit The Walsall Town Wharf scheme is a major 'flagship' development of Walsall Council and Walsall City Challenge. Its objective is the achievement of a high quality mixed- use redevelopment of the area around a neglected and disused canal arm, on the edge of the main shopping area of Walsall Town Centre. The 11 hectare area currently contains a mix of low status commercial and industrial uses and semi-derelict property with very poor townscape quality. Walsall Council sees the area, with its ring- road frontage and position on the radial road link to the M6, as having the potential to become a high profile 'gateway' to the town centre. The Council established a consultancy exercise in 1991 to bring forward proposals and a development strategy. This identified a key first phase which would provide the critical pedestrian link to the site from the Above and right: Two main shopping area, opening up the detailed design canalside to further development. This first options were phase has now been achieved by Walsall prepared for the Town City Challenge working in close partnership Wharf. The above with British Waterways. scheme creates a strong axial view Phase 2 included an outline master plan for along the canal and the site and set out preliminary design buildings are located guidance for the main components of the to define entrances. development - the canal corridor, retail park The scheme to the and vehicle circulation areas. The design right gives more principles stressed that the quality of the emphasis to the use architecture and public spaces would be of the water critical to the success of the scheme. complemented by buildings defining Two agencies were then appointed to spaces. prepare detailed design options for the canal-side area as a basis for a public exhibition. One places emphasis on creating a strong axial view along the canal, clear pedestrian routes and varied public spaces. Buildings are located to frame views, contain spaces and define entrances. They are contemporary in design with strong and consistent themes related to materials, building forms and features. The other gives more emphasis to the use of waterspace, complemented by public spaces and wharfsides which are defined by buildings and leisure attractions, and linked by footpaths and bridges. It also advocates a contemporary design for buildings on the canalside, using traditional materials, but with more variety of form. Both design options were informed by the objective of creating a high quality environment and introducing attractive and varied uses, especially leisure-based ones. Topic / Urban design Campaign Wimbledon, London London Borough of Merton Tibbalds Monro O Tibbalds Monro and Merton Borough Council ran a participatory Case Study to 1898 produce a development brief for a large site in Wimbledon Town Centre. There has been a history of conflict over proposals for the site which the process aimed to address by: using consultation and development options to feed into a development brief, rather than vice versa; Right: Comparative recognising and involving equally a range figure grounds. 1935 of people with different interests, all of Middle: One of the whom play a part in making the Town options developed for Centre a successful place. 38 the site including a town square, lively Open 'workshop' sessions allowed land street frontages and owners, businesses, councillors, site landmark elements. occupiers and neighbours, residents and Bottom: View along amenity groups to influence objectives, to Broadway. 1996 generate design options and to explore the IM& impact of different urban design priorities. There has been considerable debate as to Wimbledon Town Centre's role within south west London. Development of the site is an opportunity to extend the attraction of the town centre and the workshops revealed widely agreed objectives: a mix of uses and activities which reinforce the Town Centre as a whole; buildings and spaces which complement the character and extend the variety of experience to be found in the Town Centre; creation of a lively, attractive, pedestrian-friendly place. 'Design' workshops generated options and discussion on topical issues: how to include large scale uses (supermarket, public hall, multiplex cinema) in a town centre and maintain street level activity? How much car parking is desirable or necessary to attract shoppers, and in what form? How to reconcile the long wish list of uses with the constraints of this site? How and where, to create a Town Square, for it to be a lively and successful place? The options were refined, tested and then debated in the final round of workshops. The priorities were translated into a development framework and detailed design guidelines for assessing proposals. These have been adopted. What has been learned? It has confirmed our view that investment in participation is a worthwhile part of the urban design process. It is important to recognise that there is not always a single community with equally articulate members. We consider that our approach, to use the consultation process to feed into the development brief, has provided it with added weight and legitimacy and has helped the local authority in its negotiations on planning applications. Worcester - St Clement's Gate Worcester City Council Roger Evans Associates Between the City of Worcester's centre and the River Severn lies a broad area of decline. It is widely felt that a coherent and viable vision should be established for such a prominent site to stem this decline and to promote opportunities for a high quality extension of the city centre. The study area comprises 22 hectares for redevelopment or re-use. The river flood plain inhibits built development on the western part of the site whilst a gyratory of roads currently forms a barrier between the City and the river. Sites currently or soon to be available for redevelopment include the cattle market and Newport Street car park. The listed buildings on the site of the Worcester Royal Infirmary will also become available for re-use. Recent development has not respected the historic street pattern being more fragmented and introverted in nature. Thus the re-integration of these buildings back into a lively street scene has been one of the main objectives. Recognising the potential of the site, the Worcester Quality Partnership was formed comprising landowners, conservation bodies and business representatives. They appointed Roger Evans Associates to create a vision for the site, drawing on aspirations and knowledge of local people and historical research undertaken by archaeologists and historians. Ideas generated by a cross-section of interests at a one day conference were developed into options and exhibited to a wider public. A clear consensus has emerged in support of the following design principles: • the creation of a park between the river and a new City edge; • the creation of a 'green finger' alongside the viaduct to the City centre; • a new street structure which disperses traffic and hence improves accessibility • a street pattern which enables Top: Bird's eye view looking Centre: View of the new Bottom: Past, present and incremental development and the towards a new city-frontage pedestrian route to Foregate future figure grounds. The coexistence of a variety of uses; and riverside park with a Street Station from Farrier present day spatial network • buildings which address the public clear structure of tree-lined Street, including revitalisation lacks the legibility of the past realm while creating private courts; avenues and city streets. of the viaduct arches. or proposed network. • the creation of a landscape structure which links the river and the new park. Important features of the project have Past Present Future been: the adoption of a partnership approach; the development of an urban design framework as a precursor to developing site specific briefs; the use of a 3D computer model to communicate ideas and inspire action; the use of a range of mechanisms to encourage professional and public involvement; and the use of morphology to inform design proposals.# Book reviews The City Reader magnets, Alexander's semi- always unsatisfactory either in Post-modern Urbanism edited by Richard T. Gates lattice) but even these have no their organisation or their Nan Ellin and Frederic Stout captions; there are very few outcome, waste a huge amount Blackwells Oxford 1996 £14.99 Routledge 1996 £16.99 plans (not necessarily the most of people's time and money, essential ones) and there are and frequently result in winners o As an account of the impact When editing Issue 59 of UDQ, no images of cities except for that are never built or, if built, and meaning of post- Bob Jarvis asked a number of the frontispieces of each are bad, unpopular or modernism for urban design, colleagues to write a short section. It is easier of course to sometimes both". The other the book is both informative article on "the book that point out what is missing from writer remarks: "France has and interesting. Three chapters changed my life". It was quite a such a book than to claim that developed a competition provide a full account of the challenging exercise not only some texts should be removed: culture. The result has been development of post-modern because such choices are for urban designers The dramatic. Some of the best urban design on both sides of always difficult but because absence of Cullen, Banham, buildings of the late 20th the Atlantic. The central two some of the texts remembered Choay or Kostof to name a few, century have been built in chapters of the book which were difficult to obtain. This will disappoint. Others may France". consider themes of post- obstacle might have been wonder why Arnstein's "A modern urbanism in depth also removed by the anthology Ladder of Public Participation" The author asks: who is telling provide some interesting produced by Gates and Stout: is not included or why the the truth? They both are. The material. Ellin deals with the 40 within one volume, fifty subject of sustainability seems fact is that some competitions key themes of post-modernism "seminal texts" are collected. almost totally absent. are successful while others, such as privatisation, They introduce readers - and according to the second writer, globalisation, sustainability and particularly a whole generation Undoubtedly this book is "can go wrong but buildings the construction of pastiche in of students and professionals intended to open readers' eyes, commissioned without them a systematic manner and who have never heard of to arouse their curiosity and can go wronger". makes wide use of material Jacobs or Geddes - to texts hopefully, to make them want to from the US, much of which is that have changed the lives of read the whole of the book There is no denying that both fresh and revealing. previous and current selected. Space has not competitions are a way of life. generations of planners and allowed the authors to give The author notes they have A discussion of post- urban design afficionados. more than an appetiser. been on the increase since modernism in urban design They are grouped in six Nevertheless it seems a pity local authorities dispensed with and architecture inevitably has categories: the evolution of the that a number of texts have their in-house staff in the 1980s to address the thorny issue of city; perspectives on urban been cut and is it paranoia that and they are now a requirement whether modernism both as a form and design; urban society makes this reviewer think that for all who spend public money system of thought and as a and culture; urban politics, those articles dealing with under a recent EC service style, is still alive and governance and economics, design have been cut more directive and a flourishing. Here, as in the first urban planning: visions, theory than others? These quibbles recommendation for all who three chapters, Ellin's North and practice and the future of should not detract from the fact spend UK National Lottery American geographical bias the city. Each of these sections that this varied collection will money. The problem has been does not stand her in good starts with an editors' provide a very useful source of that the increasing number of stead. There is an over-reliance introduction which places the material for planning and urban competition organisers have on French sources, Ellin having subject in context and explains studies courses. ignored the RIBA guidelines. done her PhD on French post- the selection made. In turn Competitions usually go wrong modernism, and too cursory a each article is preceded by a Sebastian Loew because the brief is unsound or consideration of activities in more specific introduction because of mismanagement by other European countries. which refers to the author and the organising body. Given the importance of both places the text in its temporal Winning by Design: Rogers and Foster on the world context. Undoubtedly this will Architectural It was a pleasure to read about architectural scene, it is help readers particularly if they Competitions the competition fiascos and significant that there is no discover the text for the first Judith Strong how they were caused. It was mention of either of them. time. Butterworth Architecture £19.99 also a pleasure - and a pain - to read the chapter about It is in the last two chapters that A review of such an anthology Since most readers of the UDQ competitions changing the way Ellin really starts to develop an must accept that the choice of have either submitted an entry of life for some architects and argument. Her penultimate texts is idiosyncratic: the to a competition or been an about certain practices having chapter argues that the editors have chosen those organiser and/or adjudicator, to spend vast amounts (in one architectural profession is in papers they feel are important; whether it be an open ideas case £100,000) in their crisis and her final argument is others, including this reviewer, competition attracting 300 determination to win a that post-modern urbanism would have made a different entries from individuals or a competition. Less pleasurable poses a challenge to planners selection. Gates and Stout closed detailed design to read, but nevertheless a and urban designers in terms claim in their introduction that competition confined to just necessary part of the book, of a loss of faith in scientism the anthology is international four professional practices, this were the chapters discussing and technology and in a loss of and interdisciplinary. Whilst this book must surely appeal. It is the different types of certainty about the real and the is true in general terms, the authored by Judith Strong who competition process, how to authentic. Whilst Ellin does not book has a strong Anglo-Saxon was the Competitions Director choose the right process and provide a solution, her bias and a weak design for the RIBAfrom 1969 to 79. indeed how to organise a exposition of the problem emphasis. The latter is competition. makes worthwhile reading. particularly noticeable by the The book opens, as it should, almost total lack of drawings: a with two alternative views about Tim Catchpole Marion Roberts few celebrated diagrams are architectural competitions. One included (Howard's three writer says they are "nearly Urban Design the social objectives of regional is most influential in the decline chapter on the Indian Green Dimensions balance, since he sees the of the city". subcontinent and the Cliff Moughtin importance of regional planning expansion of the architecture of Butterworth Architecture 1996 and strong local government as He concludes by calling for a the twentieth century. £29.99 being vital to achieving a high degree of local self- balance between urban and sufficiency, compact cities, and More Non Western chapters Green Dimensions is the third rural needs. more effective public transport; have led the book to over 1,800 book in a series on Urban all rooted in social necessity. pages. The single book format Design by Processor Moughtin City Metaphor concerns This is a timely book; and is to be applauded but it must at the University of Nottingham. symbolism and the city. The should fill a gap in both be tempting given the new After discussing world recognition of how cosmic planning and architectural Chapter format for a series of population growth, the author forces were supposed to have literature. At times one feels the books to be produced from the defines Sustainable affected historic city planning is author's excellent convictions same core material. Development as a movement a good antidote to present day concerning "Green towards greater social equity materialism. Kevin Lynch Dimensions" should have been The revision of the format has for both moral and practical defined three metaphors which more strongly stated; made the book a bit more like a reasons. He believes that attempt to explain city form: the nevertheless this book should guidebook and sometimes it is sustainability will mainly be Magical Metaphor, the analogy be widely read by all less informative on particular informed by political realism of the machine, and the concerned with the future of buildings than the fantastic rather than Utopian idealism; analogy of the organism. cities. Eyewitness guides to places which may explain why the such as Prague and San book takes a less polemic City Form examines Linear Derek Abbott Francisco. But what sets "A stance than its title could Urban Forms, The Grid Plan History of Architecture" apart is indicate. and The Centralised City. the incisive 'Background' Interesting analyses of these Sir Banister Fletcher's chapters which add a great The main parts of this book ideas include early Soviet History of Architecture deal to understanding the cover Energy, City Metaphor, projects by Miliutin, the MARS Centenary Edition works through the influences on Form, the City Quarter and the London Plan by Korn and Heinemann 1996 £75.00 them. Urban street block. Samuelly, Runcorn, and Milton Keynes. The author thinks that I was first introduced to Sir The Glossary also is On Energy, the book makes a with hindsight, it was most Banister Fletcher's A History of impressive but can be a strong case for traditional regrettable that Bucks CC Architecture during Richard depressing reminder of what I building methods as being Architects were not allowed to Leacroft's History classes at used to know but have long more environment friendly that proceed with their ideas for a Leicester School of since forgotten to "Hi-Tech" and over mechanised monorail city for Milton Keynes, Architecture. Richard had an accommodate the less cultural systems (eg the CFCs and many innovative and green infectious enthusiasm for the aspects of our industry. But produced by air-conditioning, planning ideas were lost for cultural influences on conversely every time I pick refrigeration and fire- thirty years because of that construction which is the book up I rediscover extinguishing systems). Earth decision. As we all know, Milton exemplified in Sir Banister something or learn something buildings are illustrated, Keynes became the car- Fletcher's work. I admit new. including the fascinating Friday orientated city that it is today. however that I was captivated Mosque, Zaria, Nigeria. A wise initially by the excellent It is definitely not a coffee table plea for a native timber industry City Quarter and the Urban drawings which were, and still book, in the same way as say in Britain is made, and also an street block describes are, one of the informative Kostof's books on Cities. There effort to achieve Scandinavian examples in Britain and abroad highlights of the book. are after all a lot of those more insulation standards. Two major of pioneer planning projects, glossy books about but never energy saving buildings, the including Amsterdam South by Since then the format of the having owned a coffee table I Queen's Building, School of Berlage (1901 to 1920), book has been revised. In the prefer it the way it is. It is a real Engineering, Leicester housing by De Klerk at nineteenth edition on 1987 the old fashioned text book with University and the NBM Bank Spaarndammerburt, "Comparative Method" was even what must be intentional Headquarters, Amsterdam, are Amsterdam (1921), the Mark dropped from the title and the old fashioned type, no colour noted. The importance of using Hall Neighbourhood at Harlow structure of the book, although and just a simple mission to sun, hillside contours, and by Gibberd (1955), thankfully the comparative inform, not necessarily nearby public transport are Horsleydown Square, Tower diagrams remain in the entertain. mentioned, together with the Bridge, London by Julyan restructured chapters. The emphasis that new Wickham (1987) and publishers proudly announce If I were ever awarded the development should be on surprisingly included, the that 35% of this 20th edition is accolade of being a guest on "brown land" rather than pastiche Classical Revivalist new material with 24 chapters Desert Island Discs, football "greenfield" or new sites. Richmond Riverside added or thoroughly revised. would be my luxury item and Development by Erith and Terry The first edition was published Sir Banister Fletcher's 'A On Transport, the book, as one (1988). in 1896 so this 20th edition History of Architecture' would would expect, strongly marks the one hundredth year be the book I would take. I supports moving from car-use Cliff Moughtin feels strongly of the book and it has could have years of enjoyment to public transport, cycling and that there should be a mix of obviously undergone with both and hope never to be walking, together with the activities in both the City substantial revisions throughout rescued. integration of transport Quarter and City street block. this time. planning with land-use policy. He states "The large-scale, Chris Williamson # The author rightly criticises the single-use, single-ownership The main additions include the Government's policy of street block is the instrument, pre-twentieth century allowing the market to dominate together with the motor car, that architecture of Islam, a new Practice Profile Taylor Young Urban design was established in 1993. It is a company jointly owned by D Stephen Gleave and the Taylor Young CD CO 0) Partnership; an established Manchester CQ^ ' D based architectural practice whose presence in the City can be traced back to 1860 when J. Medland Taylor established the business. The combination of a young innovative urban design approach, together with an established track record has proved very attractive to clients both regionally and * across the UK. The practice overall currently employs forty staff and offers a comprehensive design and consultancy service embracing urban design, town planning and masterplanning (fi through to full architectural service, space 42 planning and interior design. A team of five Above and top Below: Garston is dedicated to urban design commissions right: Henry Regeneration. and operate under the directorship of Square Ashton St Mary's Road Stephen Gleave and Roger Burton. A wide under Lyne. Market Square range of urban design and town planning Possible giving a new commissions in both public and private changes civic focus to sectors throughout the UK have been providing a civic Garston. undertaken in the last three years. Several space as a Bottom: Village current projects are focused on the gateway to the green and development of regeneration strategies for town centre with church. urban areas, working as part of a team the old baths Below right: Plan embracing economic and property building on the of improvements consultants. right restored to and landscape (D accommodate proposals for Our team has considerable experience of <5 the consultation process involved in urban regeneration and of community and business led consultations in particular. Increasingly the need to facilitate and lead 'Planning for Real' type exercises is a vital part of engaging community enthusiasm and commitment to projects. An important dimension and strength of our urban design approach is the retained links with education. Stephen currently leads the teaching option for urban design within the MSc Urban Renewal Course at John Moores University, Liverpool. He also has roles in an advisory capacity at the Universities of Westminster, Manchester and Oxford Brookes. Current Projects By way of illustrating our current workload, two current projects are highlighted here. They demonstrate not only our technical competence and overall approach to urban design, but also our ability to work as part of a wider team which is critical if the professional urban design product is to evolve into urban design quality in the built environment. Henry Square, Ashton under Lyne The strategy envisages a significant degree of residential development, which Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council will effectively increase the catchment for appointed Taylor Young Urban Design Garston Centre. Emphasis is placed on the earlier this year to assist in the Henry revitalisation of the retail area to provide a D Square Urban design Initiative within recognisable focus for both shoppers and Ashton town centre. The project aimed to businesses. help local people and businesses discuss and communicate their ideas with each Improvements to pedestrian facilities are other and the council. required to enable people to move easily and safely. The intention is to create an Our team worked closely with council atmosphere in which it will be possible to officers and facilitated the process. The key attract new and major retail users to St. objective was to ensure that all ideas Mary's Road. A major proposal involves received equal weight and expression at relocating the market within the shopping the onset of the debate. Professional skills street from its present isolated site at the of description and illustration were edge of town. therefore accessible to all. 43 A further key element of the strategy is to The emerging consensus established the improve public access to the River Mersey, urban design brief which the council are one of the area's important assets. The now refining further. The ongoing influence implementation of the Mersey Way footpath continues to run through a much wider and cycle path through Garston would Renewal Area initiative being undertaken achieve this by linking the river with with Ashton, and for which we have been surrounding communities and retained to advise. environmental improvement areas. This has now formed a successful second stage This project was undertaken with one of the Millennium proposal. smaller financial awards made available through the Urban Design Campaign but Since completing the Garston study, Taylor demonstrates how public and private Young and Grimley have been appointed to partnerships can capture local imagination undertake similar projects in Redcar and and "broker" urban design values to a wide North Manchester together with further community. It also has demonstrated to the work in Speke and Liverpool City Centre. local authority that the role of the urban designer is not simply a technical one, and Conclusions that quality urban design ideas will emerge when people listen to each other and Regeneration Agencies, including SRB accept guidance through the development Partnerships, English Partnerships and process. Key components of our role have local authorities are all increasingly aware been to highlight potential, articulate and of the need for robust and innovative urban refine community initiated ideas and seek design advice alongside traditional to balance often selfish motivation. economic, transport and highway appraisals. Our role increasingly is to Garston Regeneration Strategy support teams which reflect these other allotments improved ond disciplines. Our skill is in helping these rationalised to accommodate This regeneration strategy seeks to tackle teams appreciate the relevance of their additional plots the problems of the area through physical influence on urban design quality. What and environmental improvements, the has been demonstrated at both Ashton and encouragement and realisation of new Garston is that the urban designers role is development and improvement far greater than being illustrators producing opportunities, the provision of services and vision. As a practice we are keen to get facilities to meet the needs of the local closely involved with our clients and the communities together with a need to communities in which we work. Our skills address movement and access problems and knowledge are used in tandem with the within the area. The strategy was base resources which are available. In undertaken jointly with Grimley and Oscar practice our product is often at the core of Faber. Our client was the Speke Garston the regeneration strategies to which we Partnership which was established to contribute. secure regeneration initiatives for this SRB area of South Liverpool. Taylor Young Urban Design The Studio, 51 Brookfield A fundamental element of the strategy is Cheadle Cheshire SK8 1ES the need to improve the image of the area Tel: 0161 491 4530 and raise the perception of potential Fax: 0161 491 0972 developers and investors. It is a familiar Contact: Stephen Gleave MA DipTP theme that the best such strategies have a (Dist) DipUD MRTPI clear vision and initially this was Landmark tower / beacon considered our primary role. ends the vista Blackburne St. Practice Index ? Directory of W S Atkins Planning Consultants Burrell Foley Fischer EDAW Planning cr w Woodcote Grove, Ashley Road 15 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden 80-82 Grays Inn Road rj o practices and Epsom, Surrey KT18 5BW London WC2H 9DA Hoi born, London WC1X8NH C/3 Tel: 01372 726140 Tel: 0171 8365097 Tel: 0171 404 6350 cq' Fax: 01372 743006 Fax: 0171 379 6619 Fax: 0171 404 6337 q urban design Contact: Joanna Chambers BA BTP Contact: John Burrell MA AADip RIBA Contact: David Keene BA Dip TP MRTPI MRTPI FRSA Jason Prior BA Dip A ALI 0c3 c courses Specialisms: Urban regeneration and Also at Glasgow G2 5QY Multi-disciplinary practice of urban Arts and Cultural buildings - Museums, Tel: 0141 221 5533 < planners, landscape designers, Galleries, Theatres, Cinemas. Fax: 0141 221 7789 ^ subscribing to transport planners, urban designers, Redevelopment of Redundant Estate Contact: Doug Wheeler c architects and environmental planners, Land, Urban housing. New settlements. And at Colmar, FRANCE CD specialising in Master Plans, New design in Historic Contexts. Tel: 89 23 92 02 2 this index Development Frameworks and Waterfront buildings and strategies. Fax: 89 24 20 94 c_ Concepts, Development Briefs, Innovative Urban Design and Planning Contact: Francis Crews Environmental Assessment, Environ- approaches. This directory mental Improvements, Town Centre Part of the international EDAW Group renewal, Traffic Management and providing urban design, land use Contaminated land. Philip Cave Associates planning, environmental planning and £ provides a service to 5 Dryden Street landscape architecture services Covent Garden throughout the UK and Europe. to potential clients Alan Baxter & Associates London WC2E9NW Particular expertise in market driven 44 Consulting Engineers Tel: 0171 829 8340 development frameworks, urban 14-16 Cowcross Street Fax: 0171 240 5800 regeneration, masterplanning and when they are London EC1M6DR Contact: Philip Cave BSc Hons MA (LD) implementation. Tel: 0171 2501555 ALI looking for Fax: 0171 250 3022 Contact: Alan Baxter FIStructE MICE Design led practice seeking innovative Roger Evans Associates MConsE yet practical solutions. Large scale site 59-63 High Street specialist planning through to small scale detailed Kidlington An engineering and urban design design - from studies to constructed Oxford 0X5 2DN professional advice practice with wide experience of new projects. Specialist experience in Tel: 01865 377 030 and existing buildings and complex landscape architecture. Fax: 01865 377 050 urban issues. Particularly concerned with Contact: Roger Evans MA DipArch on projects the thoughtful integration of buildings, DipUD RIBA MRTPI infrastructure and movement, and the Civic Design Partnership involving urban creation of places which are capable of 22 Sussex Street A specialist urban design practice simple and flexible renewal. London SW1V 4RW providing services throughout the UK. Tel: 0171 233 7419 Expertise in urban regeneration, design and related Fax: 0171 931 8431 development frameworks, master Bell Fischer Contact: Peter J. Heath Architect and planning, town centre improvement matters and to Landscape Architects Town Planner schemes and visual impact assessment. 160Chiltern Drive Surbiton Whether it's our strategy for the external students and Surrey KT5 8LS areas of BAA pic's airports, presented to Terry Farrell and Partners Tel: 0181 3906477 Sir John Egan, a Conservation 17 Hatton Street Fax: 0181 399 7903 Enhancement plan for Covent Garden, professionals London NW8 8PL Contact: Gordon Bell DipLA ALI an application for Millennium funding for Tel: 0171 258 3433 traffic management, Orpington Town Fax: 0171 723 7059 considering taking Landscape architecture, urban design, Centre proposals or a landscaped Contact: Susan Dawson DipArch RIBA landscape planning. Environmental and square for Hove - our integrated service visual impact assessment. Concept of architecture, planning, landscape, Architectural, urban design and planning an urban design design, detail design and project product and urban design gives our services. New buildings, refurbishment, management. UK and overseas. clients not only what they want, but also restoration and interiors,masterplanning course. what they never dreamt they could have. and town planning schemes. Retail, Conference Centres, Exhibition Halls, Colin Buchanan & Partners Offices, Railway infrastructure and Those wishing to 59 Queens Gardens Edward Cullinan Railway Development, Art Galleries, London W2 3AF Architects Museums. Cultural and Tourist be included in Tel: 0171 258 3799 1 Baldwin Terrace buildings, Television Studios, Theatres, Fax: 0171 258 0299 London N1 7RU Housing, Industrial Buildings. Contact: Neil Parkyn MA DipArch DipTP Tel: 0171 7041975 future issues (Dist) RIBA MRTPI Fax: 0171 354 2739 Contact: Karen Hughes FaulknerBrowns should contact the Town planning, urban design, transport Dobson House and traffic management and market Designing buildings and groups of Northumbrian Way research from offices in London, buildings within urban or rural contexts. Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 0QW UDG office Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester. The relationship to existing buildings Tel: 0191 268 3007 Specialism in Town Centre projects, and the making of spaces between Fax: 0191 268 5227 6 Ashbrook including public realm design. buildings is of particular importance to Contact: Neil F Taylor BA (Hons) us, in the struggle to re-establish the DipArch (Dist) RIBA MBIM civic place. Courtyard, Building Design Partnership Urban Design, Environmental and PO Box 4WD Economic Regeneration, Westbrook Street, 16Gresse Street ECD Architects and Masterplanning, Development and London W1A 4WD Energy Consultants Implementation Strategies. Tel: 0171 631 4733 11-15 Emerald Street Blewbury, Fax: 0171 631 0393 London WC1N3QL Contact: Richard Saxon BArch Tel: 0171 405 3121 Oxon 0X11 9QH (Hons)(L'pool) MCD MBIM RIBA Fax: 0171 4051670 Contact: David Turrent BArch RIBA Transport design. Landscape design. Tel: 01235-851415 Commercial development planning. ECD Architects specialise in the design Sports and Leisure planning. Industrial of energy efficient buildings and advise Fax:01235-851410 site planning. Educational campus on the environmental aspects of new planning. developments using the Breeam assessment method. Gillespies Landscape Design Associates Livingston Eyre Associates Andrew Martin Associates Environment by Design 17 Minster Precincts 7-13 Cottons Gardens Croxton's Mill, Little Waltham GLASGOW Peterborough PE11XX London E2 8DN Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3PJ Tel: 0141 3326742 Tel: 01733310471 Tel: 0171 7391445 Tel: 01245 361611 Fax: 0141 332 3538 Fax: 01733 53661 Fax: 0171 729 2986 Fax: 01245 362423 MANCHESTER Contact: John Dejardin DipLA ALI Contact: Katherine Melville RIBA ALI Contact: Andrew Martin MAUD DipTP D Tel: 0161 928 7715 Chris Royffe MA DipLA ALI (Distinction) FRICS FRTPI Fax: 0161 927 7680 The design of the space between Strategic, local and master planning, OXFORD Urban and landscape design, landscape buildings in urban or rural contexts; project co-ordination and facilitation, Tel: 01865 326789 and development planning, master planning and feasibility studies; development briefs and detailed Fax: 01865 327070 masterplans, environmental strategies, rehabilitation and regeneration of the studies, historic buildings and The Practice philosophy provides clients urban regeneration, town and village urban landscape; building the places we conservation. Comprehensive and with creative and sustainable solutions studies and environmental design. integrated planning of new and and a commitment to excellence from improvements. Feasibility to expanded communities, including inception to completion in Planning, implementation. housing, employment, shopping, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Llewelyn-Davies recreation and leisure, transport and Architecture, Graphic Design and Brook House environmental considerations. Ecology. Landscape Town & Country Ltd 2Torrington Place Turpyns Court London WC1E7HN Woughton on the Green Tel: 0171 637 0181 Peter McGowan Associates Greater London Consultants Milton keynes Fax: 0171 637 8740 The Schoolhouse 127 Beulah Road MK63BW Contact: Jon Rowland AADipl MA RIBA 4 Lochend Road Thornton Heath Tel: 01908663344 and David Walton BA MRTPI FIHT EdinburghEH6 8BR 45 Surrey CR7 8JJ Fax: 01908 678635 Tel: 0131 555 4949 Tel: 0181 768 1417 Contact: Neil Higson Architecture, planning, urban design, Fax: 0131 555 4999 Fax: 0181 771 9384 development and masterplanning; urban Contact: Peter McGowan DipLA MA Contact: Dr John Parker DipArch ARIBA Landscape Planning; Landscape regeneration, town centre and (UD)ALI DipTP FRTPI FRSA Architecture; Urban Design; conservation studies; urban design Environmental Consultants. briefs, landscape and public realm Landscape architecture and urban Services focus on architectural and strategies. design: planning and design. Highways, urban design aspects of planning and pedestrianisation and traffic calming. environment including: photo-montage LEITHGOE Landscape Architects Newtown development. Urban parks studies especially high building and Environmental Planners David Lock Associates Ltd and spaces. Sea fronts. Urban proposals, site investigation, traffic, 6Southernhay West 50 North Thirteenth Street Renewal. Landscapes for housing and applications, appeals, marinas, ElA's, Exeter EX1 1JG Central Milton keynes industry. feasibility, development schemes, Tel: 01392 210428 Milton keynes Mk9 3BP conservation and security schemes. Fax: 01392 413290 Tel: 01908 666276 (also London tel: 0171 229 6469) Fax: 01908 605747 NFA Contact: Andrew Leithgoe DipLA FLI Contact: Will Cousins DipArch DipUD Falcon House, 202 Old Brampton Road Halcrow Fox RIBA London SW5 0BU 44 Brook Green Landscape Assessment, Planning, Tel: 0171 259 2223 Fax: 0171 259 2242 Hammersmith Design and Maintenance. Hard and soft Strategic planning studies, public (also at Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, London W6 7BY Landscape solutions. Experienced in inquiries, urban regeneration projects, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Tel: 0171 603 1618 working with Architects and Engineers. master plans, area development Paris, Singapore, Vietnam) Fax: 0171 603 5783 Clients include PSA/DoE, Local framework plans, environment Contact: Peter Verity MArch MCP (Penn) Contact: Asad A Shaheed BA Arch Authorities, Property Institutions, statements. RIBA MArch Universities, Private clients. Architectural, Urban Design, Planning, Area and site planning, town centre Lyons + Sleeman + Hoare Landscaping services internationally. renewal, waterfront regeneration, traffic Gordon Lewis Associates Limited Nero Brewery Development Planning, Urban calming studies, conceptual design, Westgate Court Cricket Green Regeneration, New Communities, visual impact assessment. Westgate Street Hartley Wintney Waterfront Regeneration, Tourism Cardiff CF1 1DD Hampshire RG278QA Planning and Design. Tel: 01222 231401 Tel: 01252844144 Hunt Thompson Associates Fax: 01222 399287 Fax: 01252 844800 79 Parkway Contact: Gordon Lewis BSc, BArch, Contact: Andrew Aldridge BA Dip Arch Terence O'Rourke pic London NW1 7PP RIBA, FFB RIBA or Colin Darby BSc DipTP Everdene House Tel: 0171 485 8555 Dip Urban Design MRTPI Wessex Fields, Deansleigh Road Fax: 0171 485 1232 Architecture, planning and urban design. Bournemouth BH7 7DU Contact: Benjamin Derbyshire DipArch Public and private sector. Development Architecture, planning, master planing, Tel: 01202421142 (Cantab) RIBA FRSA strategies, business plans and public urban design - commercial practice Fax: 01202 430055 realm studies. Business park, covering broad spectrum of work - Contact: Terence O'Rourke DipArch Development, Architecture and Urban residential and health estate planning. particularly design of buildings and (Oxford) DipTP RIBA MRTPI Design. Optimising development spaces in urban and historic contexts. potential by integrating social, physical Planning and Design Consultancy and economic issues. Making buildable, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners specialising in land use planning, cost effective, user responsive Ltd MacCormac Jamieson Prichard landscape architecture, ecology environments. 14 Regent's Wharf 9 Heneage Street environmental assessment and urban All Saints Street Spitalfields design. Development Briefs, Master London N1 9RL London E1 5LJ Plans, Urban Regeneration, Town Paul Hyett Architects Tel: 0171 837 4477 Tel: 0171 377 9262 Studies, Conservation and Public Realm Architecture Urban Design Fax: 0171 837 2277 Fax: 0171 247 7854 Strategies. Planning (also in Newcastle upon Tyne) Contact: David Prichard BSc DipArch 36-37 Featherstone Street Contact: Nicholas Thompson BA BPI (Lond) RIBA London EC1Y8QX MA (UrbDes) MRTPI and lain Rhind BA PRP Architects Tel: 0171 251 0783 MPhil DipUD (Dist) MRTPI Master-planning, development briefs, 82 Bridge Road, Hampton Court Fax: 0171 251 1691 urban regeneration studies, land use East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9HF Contact: Paul Hyett AA Dipl RIBA MPhil Independent planning, urban design and studies, rural settlements. Planning in Tel: 0181 941 0606 economics consultancy, combining historic and sensitive sites. Fax: 0181 7831671 We provide a comprehensive range of analysis with creativity. Masterplans: all Contact: Peter Phippen services: Architecture. Urban design and sites, all uses. Residential schemes. OBE DipArch (RWA) RIBA development. Town Planning. Project Urban regeneration. Town centres. management. Master Planning. Visual appraisal. Conservation. Social and private housing Development Briefs. Historic building development, special needs housing, restoration, conversion and/or including housing for elderly people, development. Waterfront mentally handicapped and single development. Environmental and people, healthcare, urban visual impact assessment. redevelopment. Practice Index Education Index Anthony Reddy & Associates Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Inc. Urban Design Futures University of Central England, The Malt House (North) 46 Berkeley Street, London W1X 6NT 34 Henderson Row Birmingham Grand Canal Quay Tel: 0171 930 9711 Edinburgh EH3 5DN School of Architecture Dublin 2, Ireland Fax: 0171 930 9108 Scotland Tel: 0121 331 5130 Tel: 010 353 1 6704800 (also Chicago, New York, Washington, Tel/Fax: 0131 557 8820 Fax: 0121 356 9915 Fax: 00 353 1 6604801 San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hong Contact: Selby Richardson DipArch, Contact: Joe Holyoak, Course Director o Contact: Anthony Reddy, BArch, Kong) DipTP, MSc, ARIAS MA in European Urban Design. 12 FRIAI, RIBA, DipPM, MAPM Contact: Roger Kallman months full time, students study one Paul Duignan, B.Arch, FRIAI Land use planning, development term each in Birmingham, Strasbourg International multi-disciplinary practice. feasibility and site layout studies, urban and Florence, with fourth term in one Architecture, planning, urban design, Master Planning, Landscape design strategies and appraisal, town centre by choice. project management. Project types: Architecture, Civil Engineering and centre and village studies, Masterplanning, Development Urban Design. Project types: urban environmental improvements, traffic University of the West of Frameworks, Urban Regeneration regeneration schemes, business park calming, design guidelines. England, Bristol Projects, Town Centre Renewal, master plans, university campus design, Faculty of the Built Environment Residential, Business Parks. transportation planning. Associated Frenchay Campus services: environmental impact The Urban and Economic Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY RMJM assessments, design guidelines, Development Group (URBED) Tel: 0117 965 6261 83 Paul Street infrastructure strategies. 3 Stamford Street Fax: 0117 976 3895 London EC2A 4NQ London SE1 9NS Contact: Richard Guise Tel: 0171 251 5588 Tel: 0161 226 5078/0171 928 9515 MA/Postgraduate Diploma course in Fax: 0171 250 3131 Symonds Travers Morgan Fax: 0161 226 7307 Urban Design. Part time 2 days per 46 Contact: Bill Grimwade MA (Cantab) Environment Contact: David Rudlin BA MTP fortnight for 2 years, or individual MS MICE CEng 24-30 Holborn programme of study. Project based London EC1N2LX Urban regeneration / town centres / course addressing urban design issues, International multi-disciplinary Tel: 0171 421 2000 housing including health checks, abilities and environments. practice. Master planning, landscape Fax: 0171 421 2222 environmental audits, urban design, architecture, planning, urban design, Also at Reading: 01734 573330 master planning, analysis and strategy infrastructure engineering and Contact: Marie Burns BA (hons) MAUD development. Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot architecture. Project types: business Dipl. LAALI Watt University park master planning, urban School of Architecture regeneration schemes, university Multidisciplinary Practice of urban Urban Initiatives Lauriston Place campus design, environmental audits designers, landscape architects, 35 Heddon Street Edinburgh EH3 9DF and design guidelines. Optimising planners, ecologists, noise and air London W1R7LL Tel: 0131 221 6071/6072 development potential by integrating pollution expertise - undertaking Tel: 0171 287 3644 Fax: 0131 221 6606/6157 social, physical and economic issues. environmental and visual impact Fax: 0171 287 9489 Contact: Robert Smart assessments, traffic calming studies; Contact: Kelvin Campbell BArch RIBA Diploma in Urban Design: 1 year full town centre and waterfront regeneration MRTPI MCITFRSA time or 3 years part time. MSc in Urban Taylor Young Urban Design schemes, contamination remediation, Design: 1 year full time or 3 years part The Studio new build housing and estate Urban design, transport planning, time plus 1 year part time. Recognised 51 Brookfield refurbishment. infrastructure and development planning by the RIBA for the RIBA Urban Design Cheadle to include master planning, town centre Diploma. Cheshire SK8 1ES studies, conservation, environmental Tel: 0161 491 4530 John Thompson and Partners improvements, traffic calming and Fax: 0161 491 0972 77 Cowcross Street design guidelines. University of Greenwich Contact: Stephen Gleave MA DipTP London EC1M6BP School of Architecture and (Dist) DipUD MRTPI Tel: 0171 251 5135 Landscape Fax: 0171 251 5136 Oakfield Lane Urban Design, Planning and Contact: John Thompson MA DipArch Dartford DA1 2SZ Development. Public and Private RIBA Tel: 0181 316 9100 Sectors. Town studies, housing, Fax: 0181 316 9105 commercial, distribution, health and Multidisciplinary practice, working Contact: Philip Stringer transportation represent current 'live' throughout the UK and Europe, MA in Urban Design for postgraduate projects. Specialist in Urban Design specialising in architecture, urban architecture and landscape students, full Training. design and masterplanning, urban time and part time with credit regeneration, new settlements and accumulation transfer system. community consultation; addressing the Rothermel Thomas problems of physical, social and 14-16 Cowcross Street economic regeneration through Leeds Metropolitan University London EC1M6DR collaborative interdisciplinary community School of Art, Architecture and Tel: 0171 490 4255 based planning. Design Fax: 0171 4901251 Brunswick Terrace Contact: James Thomas BA (Arch) Leeds LS2 8BU DipTP FRIBA FRTPI FRSA FIMgt Tibbalds Monro Ltd Tel: 0113 283 2600 31 Earl Street Fax: 0113 283 3190 Urban design, conservation, historic London EC2A2HR Contact: Edwin Knighton buildings, planning, architecture. Expert Tel: 0171 377 6688 Master of Arts in Urban Design witness at planning inquiries. Fax: 0171 247 9377 consists of 1 year full time or 2 years Contact: Andrew Karski BA (Hons) MSc part time or individual programme of (Econ) FRTPI study. Shorter programmes lead to Shepheard Epstein and Hunter Post Graduate Diploma/Certificate. Architecture Planning and Multi-disciplinary practice of architects, Project based course focusing on the Landscape planners, urban designers, landscape creation of sustainable environments 14-22 Ganton Street designers, tourism specialists and through interdisciplinary design. London W1V1 LB interior architects. The firm provides consultancy services to institutional, Tel: 0171 734 0111 University of Manchester public sector and corporate clients. Fax: 0171 434 2690 School of Planning & Landscape Contact: Steven Pidwill Dip Arch RIBA Manchester M13 9PL Eugene Dreyer MA (City and Regional Tel: 0161 275 6914 Planning) Fax: 0161 275 6935 Contact: Dr Patrick Malone Architecture, master-planning, MA in Urban Design and landscape, urban design, computer Regeneration. MA in Urban Design modelling, environmental statements, Studies. B.Phil, in Urban Design planning-for-real, public consultation, (International linked courses PhD/MA development consultancy. routes). Endpiece Liverpool John Moores University I left Gateshead ten years ago, then one afternoon the phone rang. School of the Built Environment 98 Mount Pleasant 1 Was I the right person, had I years ago done some sketches, some Liverpool L3 5UZ 5 ideas for the Gibside Estate? They'd been prepared for the estate Tel: 0151 231 3709 which was in picturesque decay, to resolve an impasse between Fax: 0151 709 4957 Contact: Professor Chris Couch access, shooting and forestry But they'd foundered in disputes, lost MSc/Diploma in Urban Renewal opportunities, collapsing buildings, reluctant owners, until, years after, (Urban Regeneration & Urban the National Trust had taken over the management and their regional Design) 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. officer remembered my ideas. Early this summer he sent me their first * Conservation Plan. University of Westminster School of Urban Development 0) and Planning In a professional world of career progressions, fast footed 35 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LS consultancies and reputations built on unbuilt projects, plans which Tel: 0171 911 5000 (/) Fax: 0171 911 5171 are little more than bids and feasibility studies, and permissions that Contact: Urban Design Unit on extns are the speculations of press releases, commitment to any place is 3343 or 3108 compromised. Ideas pass from crazy dreamer's sketch to sensible MA or Diploma Course in Urban > Design for postgraduate architects, politic to lost cause as staff come and go, agendas are re-written and town planners, landscape architects geographies of investment shift in the market place. It doesn't pay to and related disciplines. 1 year full time or 2 years part time. look back, but places endure beyond plans, buildings stand against Oxford Brookes University had been saved from demolition, but the decision was never wholly (formerly Oxford Polytechnic) accepted. So when it appeared, still ruinous and boarded in the pages Joint Centre for Urban Design of Perspectives, its spires and turrets the centrepiece of Saltwell Park's Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP Tel: 01865 483403 landscape with reports of antagonism between locals and local Fax: 01865483298 authority, it seemed as if the clock had stopped, while history was Contact: Dr Georgia Butina or Ian Bentley being re-written: there never was an 'option' to demolish it, just a Diploma in Urban Design 6 months full reluctance to keep it standing and make it safe. time or 18 months part time. MA in Urban Design 1 year full time or 3 years part time. MPhil/PhD by research (full Sometimes you lose time and part time). The CWS Soap Works at Dunstan, Hennibique ferro concrete in neo University of Strathclyde Renaissance style used to cure skins into hide, was never popular. It Dept of Architecture and Building had been a target for 'improvement' (demolition) and the far grander, Science Urban Design Studies Unit earlier silos, had already been 'reclaimed' (demolished) at a cost of £° 131 Rottenrow Glasgow G40NG million. But I could dream of it as a Venetian palazzo closing the west Tel: 0141 552 4400 ext 3011 end of the Garden Festival. But the project left it to rot; hid it when it Fax: 0141 552 3997 Contact: Dr Hildebrand W Frey, should have been put to use as galleries and studios. Over the years Urban Design Studies Unit offers its since then others have tried some covertly, some just doing their job. Postgraduate Course in Urban Design in CPD, Diploma and MSc modes. Ideas were floated, schemes costed, but none (it seems) could justify Topics range from the influence of the the cost of the extra imaginative commitment. And so, despite city's form and structure to the design Twentieth Century Society objections, the Secretary of State granted of public spaces. application GD 1132/95 last summer to allow demolition. Another development opportunity in the flat lands will start from a clean sheet.# Urban Design Group If you are involved in urban design projects or are studying urban design you should not only be reading Urban Design Quarterly but also be a member of the Urban Design Group. Student membership is £14 and an individual membership is £30 covering a 12 month period. You will receive a copy of the journal, a copy of the Sourcebook at the time of printing and details of national and regional events. The Group, founded eighteen years ago, has been established to provide high standards of performance and inter-professional cooperation in planning, architecture, urban design, and other related disciplines; and to HMfaMMP* educate the relevant professions and the public in matters relating to urban design. Membership is made up of architects, engineers, surveyors, historians, lawyers, photographers, in fact anyone interested in the quality of our built environment. If you would like more information on the UDG please contact Susie Turnbull Tel: 01235 851415