Autumn 2015 Urban Design Group Journal 13U 6 rban Issn 1750 712x designing Design housing

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identified in 1962 and a further four in 1986. St Paul’s Heights proposals and from 1938 view from the Within Oxford this approach has created a they were implemented as a gentleman’s chair flat roofscape with buildings rising to the agreement between the corporation and de- maximum level allowed. As part of a recent velopers. Today buildings are being shaped, project, I visited each of these viewpoints literally, by the LVMF viewing corridors. This and established that since their designa- creates ‘interestingly’ formed buildings and In July the Guardian newspaper considered tion, the quality of the view has changed notable islands, or wedges, of tall buildings how protected views were shaping cities significantly. Two of the views have changed outside of the corridors. I would question and whether these constraints were turning with the growth of the city; a further two whether this is a suitable basis for shaping them into museums. The article compared are currently screened by vegetation; and the development of a city. protected views which limit the provision of another viewpoint is located within a gated Whilst establishing views that allow tall buildings, to 1930s green belt policies allotment that has no public access. This people to appreciate the skyline or an which prevent outward expansion of the brings into question how these viewpoints historic feature within a city is important, city. Their aim is to protect the view of a and the views from them are being managed viewpoints must be managed or be allowed specific place or historic building from an and whether this is a robust approach to to evolve to accommodate future sight lines. identified point. The effect of such a pro- shape a city. Interestingly in 2014 Disneyland was the tected view has a knock-on impact on the As with Oxford, London is being shaped most tagged location on the photo-sharing height, form and appearance of develop- through the London View Management website Instagram. This brings into question ments in order to maintain the identified Framework (LVMF), which originated from how much value is placed on the city skyline focus of the view. the St Paul’s Heights work of W. Godfrey other than by planners and architects. One of the case studies the article Allen (Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul’s). • used is the Oxford Views Study, which has This was a reaction to the 1930 Building Act, Katy Neaves recently been updated. Here, ten pro- which allowed significantly taller buildings tected view cones protect the skyline of than were previously permitted. The City the historic city centre. Six of these were of London Corporation accepted Allen’s

So said the composer John Taverner in his under effective house arrest by their parents Life is a final interview. But for some of us tragedy until well into their teens. Globally road creeping does not creep but it leaps. Speaking at deaths are now a massive health problem the Cycle City Active City conference in and yet an accepted part of life. tragedy Newcastle in the summer, I met Kate Cairns, We need to reject this philosophy. a woman who six years ago met tragedy The built environment should be designed when her younger sister was crushed to around humans; and vehicles should be death under wheels of a 32 tonne tipper designed to fit within it; rather than the while cycling along a street in London. In an built environment being changed to fit the instant, Kate’s normal life died too, to be vehicles. There is every reason to extend the replaced by that of campaigner, out to seek scope of urban design to including not only justice for her sister and to prevent further the static parts of the built environment, lives from being needlessly lost through the but all the components necessary for suc- negligent design and operation of HGVs. cessful, safe and happy urban life, includ- What has this got to do with urban ing the design of vehicles. Kate Cairns and design? Everything. For over one hundred fellow campaigners have had some success years, the way we design and manage with the introduction this autumn of a ban streets and conduct our lives has become on lorries in London that lack additional dominated by the demands of the motor mirrors and side-bars. But these measures vehicle. The designers of cars and lorries are limited and the campaign will go on until Designed to kill – the blind have held mastery over those who design streets are truly safe. It is a campaign in zone on a conventional HGV – towns and cities. The result? More than half which we all could play a part. however this lorry is fitted with • additional mirrors to reduce of people think that roads are too danger- blind spots. ous for cycling, and most children are held Robert Huxford

Wednesday 28 October aspirations are for the design of towns and Diary of events Housing – an evening exploring the theme cities. of edition of Urban Design 136 – a subject which in this year of mass population Wednesday 13 January Unless otherwise indicated, all LONDON movement has great significance. Film Night – Rooftop farming in New events are held at The Gallery, 70 Cowcross York, followed by a discussion on Urban Street, London EC1M 6EJ at 6.30 pm. Wednesday 11 November Agriculture Special Event – please check website/ Note that there are many other events Urban Update for details Wednesday 10 February run by UDG volunteers throughout the UK. Latin America – an evening exploring the For the latest details and pricing, please Wednesday 2 December theme of edition 137 of Urban Design check on the UDG website www.udg.org.uk/ 2015 – the Year in Review – an evening events/udg of festive fun and rapid fire presentations – an opportunity for practices to tell us what they have been doing and what their

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 1

Autumn 2015 Opportunities in Urban Design Urban Design Group Journal 13u 6 rban IssN 1750 712x Have you trained in urban design or related design discipline? Interested in developing your career in urban designing design? design Housing Savills Urban Design is an award winning design Contents studio looking to recruit high quality and innovative designers as part of its national graduate scheme.

From October 2014, Savills will be launching the next intake of its National Urban Design Graduate Scheme. This will be an opportunity to gain extensive experience and career development within an innovative multi-disciplinary development consultancy.

Graduate Scheme applications open October 1st and close December 11th

For more information apply on line: www.savills.co.uk/graduates Or contact: Email – [email protected]

Follow us on: This issue has been generously sponsored FRANCIS TIBBALDS AWARDS Twitter – @SavillsGraduate

For all other opportunities, please contact: by SAVILLS PRACTICE SHORTLIST 2016 Peter Frankum Head of Urban Design on 023 8071 3900 or [email protected] 39 — Recognizing Excellence through COVER the National Urban Design Awards, Portobello Square, London by PRP Noha Nasser Architects. Photograph by Andy Spain. 40 — Assael Architecture, Lowestoft Brooke Peninsula & Jeld Wen London Cambridge Southampton Oxford URBAN Peter Frankum James Rennie Chris Odgers Andrew Raven e [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] DESIGN t 020 3320 8242 t 01223 347 260 t 023 8071 3960 t 01865 269 045 savills.com/urbandesign GROUP FUTURE ISSUES 42 — Baca Architects, Eiland Veur Lent, Courtesy of Kettering Borough Council and Image Machine Photography URBAN UD 137 Latin America Nijmegen UD GRADUATE + UD ADVERT backpage - 2015.indd 1 21/09/2015 17:32:20 DESIGN GROUP 44 — HTA Design, Aylesbury Estate Urban Design Group UPDATE Regeneration Chair Katy Neaves 03 — Dealing with Density 46 — IBI Group, Barnsley Town Centre Patrons Irena Bauman, Alan Baxter, 03 — STREET NW: First Street 48 — Levitt Bernstein, Winstanley & York Dickon Robinson, Helle Søholt, Lindsey 04 — Street NW: NOMA Road Estates Regeneration Whitelaw and John Worthington 04 — Garden Cities 05 — The City as Master Developer 50 — PRACTICE INDEX Office 05 — Handbook for Cycle Friendly 56 — EDUCATION INDEX Urban Design Group Design, Sustrans 70 Cowcross Street 06 — Urban Design Group AGM 57 — ENDPIECE London EC1M 6EJ 07 — UDG Study Tour Grub Street, Joe Holyoak Tel 020 7250 0892 08 — The Urban Design Library #15 Email [email protected] 09 — Photographic Competition Website www.udg.org.uk INTERNATIONAL Editorial Board 10 — Is Social Behaviour Reflected in Matthew Carmona, Richard Cole, Residential Masterplanning? Alastair Donald, Tim Hagyard, Cindy Carmelia Joe Holyoak, Sebastian Loew, Daniela Lucchese, Jane Manning, Chris Martin, TOPIC: DESIGNING HOUSING Malcolm Moor, Judith Ryser, Louie Sieh, 12 — Designing Housing, Louise Thomas Louise Thomas 14 — Urban Designing Housing, Richard Hayward Editors 17 — In Pursuit of Quality, Paul Sallin Louise Thomas (this issue) 20 — Influencing Housing Design Quality, [email protected] Amy Burbidge and Sebastian Loew 23 — Comparing Housing Standards, [email protected] Malcolm Morgan Book Review Editor 25 — Reinterpreting Private Open Space, Jane Manning Tim Pharoah 28 — Co-designing Senior Co-housing, Design Melissa Fernández Arrigoitia and trockenbrot Kathleen Scanlon (Claudia Schenk and Anja Sicka) 31 — Co-designing with an Ageing www.trockenbrot.com Population, Stephen Hill 32 — Live-Work: Understanding the Printing Henry Ling Ltd Typology, Jonathan Tarbatt © Urban Design Group ISSN 1750 712X 36 — New Issues in Affordable Housing Design, Andy von Bradsky Advertising enquiries Please contact the UDG office

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Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 2 leader Housing in all its forms

With the first of the shortlisted entries for the Group and its members have as much work to do 2015 National Urban Design Awards featured in as ever. Urban design continues to be seen as an this issue, housing is a major focus this quarter. ‘extra’, to which some of the articles allude, and In four of the five shortlisted Practice entries therefore this is a good time to join the UDG and (starting on p38), housing is the predominant take part in the many events that it hosts, and design challenge – whether in major estate to convert colleagues. The annual conference renewal plans, or reusing marginal coastal areas. in Bristol this year offers a great opportunity to The theme continues with a look at Jakarta’s renew networks and make new alliances. shifting housing trends away from permeability to enclaves, and the social attitudes that this In this issue, we are pleased to publish the reflects. winners of the Where do you read Urban Design? photo competition, which has generated much Housing is explored in more detail in seven comment on the publicity for the competition focused articles. These range from house itself! The winner, shown on p9 along with two builders’ understanding of urban design, how commendable runners-up, is a great reminder of local authorities are managing housing quality, how far and wide the urban design network is. We and comparisons between housing standards will run the competition again this coming year, in the UK and Europe, to the changing nature of and photographs can be submitted at any time affordable housing, understanding what is meant to the editors, with a winner to be announced in by ‘work-live developments’, design processes October next year. for co-housing, and our assumptions about private open space. Lastly, do remember to keep this issue to help with voting on the National Urban Design Awards This is no catalogue of plans and elevations, but in early 2016, and whether you are involved in one an exploration of the different ways of designing of the shortlisted projects or not, save the date of housing, for different people or different stages Wednesday 9 March 2016 to come to the evening of their lives. Housing continues to need urban ceremony itself. • designers, and the Urban Design Group offers a Louise Thomas forum for sharing experience and knowledge.

As the report of the Urban Design Group’s Annual How to join general meeting (p6) shows, while income from To join the Urban Design Group, visit www.udg.org.uk and see the benefits of other sources may have increased last year, taking out an annual membership. the number of members has stayed broadly the same. In the light of much-needed increases in Individual (UK and international) £50 UK student / concession £30 membership rates, this is to be welcomed, but Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design £80 in the grand scheme of things, the Urban Design Small practice (<5 professional staff) £250 Large practice (>5 professional staff) £450 Education £250 Local Authority £100 UK Library £80 International Library £100

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 update 3

Dealing with density put forward was that although there was no Events at the Gallery The Gallery, London, 11 May 2015 lack of land, high land prices required such Speaker: Colin Wilson, Greater London densities. Residential 42-storey tower blocks Authority would form the new skyline of London clustered in new towns, such as Vauxhall, The following talks, seminars and debates Paul Reynolds opened the discussion with Battersea, along the South Bank, as well as have been organised by the UDG. Many of reflections on how to measure density. He in outer London. High density was aimed at these events are recorded by UrbanNous referred to Why density, debunking the accommodating the fast projected popu- and available to watch again on the UDG myth of the cubic watermelon produced by lation increase within the Greater London website, thanks to the generous support of a+t research group. It proposes a catalogue area because, according to Wilson, peo- Fergus Carnegie. of generic urban forms and analyses their ple did not want to live outside London in ecological performance. Instead of using places like Ebbsfleet. GLA surveys showed ratios of dwelling per hectare or plot ratios, that people were content with this new it relates density to floor space, something urban fabric, apparently regardless of hous- that was not taken up in either the presenta- ing costs. Thus the approval of 280 of 650 tion by Colin Wilson on tall buildings and planned skyscrapers was appropriate. The their role in the density debate, or in the reality of active ground floor frontages was later discussion. challenged in the later questions, but not Colin Wilson started and finished his the aim of reducing dwelling sizes especially talk with a picture of a street in South Ealing in multi-occupation premises. It was hard to with terrace houses from Metroland devel- reconcile this vision with the aspiration to opment times, with parked cars on either own a house with a garden in suburbia like side, leaving just one lane for traffic, albeit South Ealing. without any people on the pavements. This • was in stark contrast to the schemes that Judith Ryser, researcher, journalist, writer the GLA welcomes. The examples shown and urban affairs consultant to Fundacion were one in Old Street with two residen- Metropoli, Madrid tial skyscrapers, two high density blocks of flats and some lower rise infills; the other, Convoys Wharf on the Thames in Lewisham, with skyscrapers to make up the density of closed medium-rise blocks. The argument

the aspirations, the journey through concept development and refinement, and the future vision of the masterplan. The presentation set the scene for the walking tour and the group visited each building to understand some of the design decisions and rationale behind their development and construc- tion. The creation of new streets, public spaces and contemporary buildings within the development afforded some views of Manchester never before seen. A further highlight of the evening was the fantas- tic tour of HOME, the new location for the Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Com- pany, led by Director and Chief Executive Dave Moutrey. A particular favourite of the group was the chance to tread the boards on the stage of the new 450-seat theatre, experiencing the theatre hall from a new perspective. STREET North West: to establish the area. The next phase of the Overall it was a very successful event First Street, Manchester First Street Masterplan (which opened in where people could have a look behind the Walking Tour, 15 April 2015 late May) includes the first Melia Hotel in the scenes at one of Manchester’s most excit- UK, HOME – the new centre for international ing new addition. The masterplan has been This exclusive event looked behind the contemporary art, theatre and film, a 700 drawn, the lights are on and the buildings scenes at ASK Development’s new £500 space multi-storey car park, and various are ready to open their doors; the challenge million scheme in Manchester which is to mixed-use commercial units, to create a now is to establish First Street as a vibrant, be a new gateway into the city centre and vibrant balance between well-established genuine and contemporary new destination a high quality business and leisure destina- national brands and local independents. which blends cultural, artistic and business tion, before it opened to the public. The This STREET NW event started with a minds alike. Only time will tell, but it is an completion of Number One First Street masterplan introduction and presentation exciting prospect for the city. (180,000 sq ft of Grade A office space) in by Jaimie Hollis (Development Manager, • March 2009 and Vita (luxury student ac- ASK Developments) and Neil Pickup (Project Mark Foster and Rebecca Merridew, commodation) in September 2014, began Director, ASK Developments) who explained Convenors of STREET NW at Turley

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Both speakers gave a fascinating in- sight to the masterplan story and design responses, detailing how the masterplan evolved from vision, to concept to a detailed masterplan. This set the scene for our work- shop groups to begin to think about NOMA 53’s future. The workshop was split into three key themes; Work, Live and Play, challenging the groups to determine what key factors would make NOMA 53 a sustainable place to work, live and play in 30 years’ time. The brief was to think big, bold and creatively. It was a complex and all-encompassing question to ask but the groups came up with a variety of interesting big ideas and concepts. The next task is to understand these ideas and concepts. STREET NW will help STREET North West: one which attracts and retains a diverse mix NOMA 53 to determine which ideas and con- NOMA – How to create a of people, is one of the greatest challenges cepts could future-proof the masterplan, socially sustainable urban when delivering a new city neighborhood to ensuring that it delivers a socially sustaina- masterplan plug into the existing urban core. ble new urban quarter to Manchester. NOMA 29 April 2015 In order to uncover some of the answers 53 hopes to use these ideas to help shape STREET NW collaborated with the NOMA 53 their masterplan review and with any luck That was the question put to STREET NW as Development Team and project Architect we will see some of these ideas put into use. we hosted our third event in 2015. The ques- (Jim Webster HAUS Architecture) in host- Watch this space! tion was posed by David Pringle, Director of ing a masterplan presentation and creative • NOMA 53° and his development team, who design workshop. Over 40 people attend- Mark Foster and Rebecca Merridew are responsible for regenerating a 20 acre ed, hoping to understand more about the quarter of Manchester’s urban land owned masterplan proposals and to shape those by The Co-operative Group and Hermes proposals, thus helping to create a social- Real Estate. Creating a new piece of urban ly sustainable place both now and in the fabric, with a dynamic sense of place and future.

too much on the first of these and ignored the latter two. Only by combining all three would we achieve good urbanism. But she started by suggesting that the basis of suc- cessful settlements was the street which has been the oldest way of organising urban areas. Her research had shown that sustain- able urbanism, fine grain and mixed use, was supported by the public, whilst the out-of-town, car reliant model, was defunct. And yet, ‘pavilions in the park’ are still being built because of the short-term economic model being pursued and led by the wrong people. What we need is long-term land owners who are developers, managers and stewards. Dominic Papa, architect from S333 Ar- Garden Cities much will it cost and will it benefit the pub- chitecture and Urbanism spoke about the The Gallery, London, 10 June 2015 lic good or private purses? The UK’s housing importance of character and differentia- Speakers: Ben van Bruggen, Robert deficit is not in question but whether garden tion, and showed a number of images of Cowan, Jim Coleman, Yolanda Barnes, cities are the way to solve it is not obvious. successful developments in various parts of Dominic Papa Furthermore the definition of a garden city the world. He suggested that diagrammatic Three speakers participated in this second is far from universally shared, and propos- representations of potential solutions were event on Garden Cities, chaired by Ben van als may become no more than large housing often not helpful. Bruggen and with witty interludes on Eben- estates. Coleman ended by praising URBED’s The very well attended room was by now ezer Howard by Robert Cowan. Jim Cole- winning scheme for the Wolfson prize, depleted as it was very late, but a good dis- man, head of economics at Buro Happold because it was not a stand-alone settlement cussion still took place, with one member of suggested that the business case for garden starting from scratch; he suggested that the audience contending that Garden Cities cities had to be made, as the economic densifying existing cities with good infra- were definitely not the solution to today’s benefits of creating a new settlement from structure was another good option. problems. scratch was not obvious. Many questions The second speaker, Yolanda Barnes, • had to be answered to make this business head of research at Savills talked about The Sebastian Loew, architect and planner, writer case: what is the rationale for the project? Is importance of Product, Land and Money and consultant it needed? What problem is it solving? How suggesting that we have been concentrating

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cannot progress well without continuously engaging civil society. The discussion focused on the fitness of local politicians rather than planning or planners, regretting that planning was confined to regulation instead of produc- ing visions. The disengagement of citizens from master development was confined to NIMBYism without making the connection with alternative expectations and differ- ent visions from either the politicians or the professionals. Freiburg and other conti- nental examples were evoked as models of engagement between cities and citizens, where cities traditionally had greater pow- ers and autonomy. However planners and urban designers have to work within the ex- City as Master Developer becoming a key instrument of the welfare isting institutional landscape, and little was The Gallery, London, 8 July 2015 state after the Second World War. What is said about how they could introduce change Speakers: John Worthington, Peter today's legacy in an adversarial state with a within their area of competence. The usual Bishop, Dick Gleeson, Peter Studdert and very centralised distribution of resources, effectiveness objectives were evoked, be- Henk Bouwman keen to eliminate welfare dependency? De- sides the need for delivery. The power house volution taking place throughout the UK may to be vested in Manchester was attributed This joint Urban Design Group and the Acad- alter that status of the city to affirm its dual to its concrete proposals, as opposed to emy of Urbanism event chaired by Steve function as town hall and civil society in London's expectation of entitlement. It is Bee, attracted a good and vocal audience charge of wealth creation and equitable re- hard to imagine that larger entities will be despite that evening’s tube strike. John distribution, to become a master developer. able to deliver solutions closer to the citi- Worthington introduced the discussion ask- Peter Bishop formerly in charge of De- zens who were not expected to be capable ing ‘With the city as master developer, is UK sign for London, Dick Gleeson, past city of vision. Considering that planning in local planning fit for purpose?’ He revisited the planner of Dublin, Peter Studdert formerly authorities has to be self-financing, it is hard functions of the city: traditionally securing involved in Cambridge’s strategic planning, to envisage how the development lobby defence, common land and sustenance; in and Henk Bouwman from the Netherlands, will share urban change with professional the 19th century, providing infrastructure all had practical experience with cities as planning ethics, let alone the wishes of civil and services for its people assisted by phi- master developers. They emphasised the society. lanthropy; turning to small scale integration need to look beyond boundaries and fos- • of functions and forms in the 1930s; and, ter wider benefits from development which Judith Ryser

widespread use as a readily available digest Call For Feedback: of the key elements of design guidance, Handbook For Cycle which can be used on-site by planners, de- signers and community groups. Friendly Design It is backed up by 16 much more de- tailed chapters, available to download from Sustrans, Bristol 2014 Sustrans’ website. The structure of the Handbook broadly follows the following sequence: This Handbook provides a concise illus- a summary of the key principles and pro- trated compendium of technical guidance •cesses for a user-focused design on how the built environment generally, wider considerations of urban design and roads specifically, can be made safe, •and other measures to improve the general convenient and pleasant for cycle use by highway design for cyclists and pedestrians people of all ages and abilities. At 36 pages on-carriageway provision for cyclists on it is packed with easy-to-read drawings and •links and junctions photographs of examples from the UK; it cycle provision off the carriageway, can stand-alone as a tool box of ideas but •whether cycle tracks alongside the road also links to a library of supporting online or traffic free routes away from the road, resources. It is very visual but contains the including crossings essential technical details. routes in rural areas later in 2015, taking account of comments Many of the innovative examples con- • associated design issues including cycle received and to include more recent innova- tained within it have involved bold decisions •parking, signing, integration with public tive infrastructure solutions. The guidance by the local highway authority, who are at transport and the design of new develop- is also underpinned by a programme of the front line of scheme delivery. Future edi- ments, and accredited technical design training courses tions will build on this with fresh examples the maintenance and management of for transport professionals run by Sustrans. of innovative and experimental schemes im- •routes To request copies or provide feedback, plemented in the UK. please contact designandconstruction@ The Handbook has been endorsed by This is an evolving document and Sustrans sustrans.org.uk several professional bodies and is available welcomes feedback on how it might be • free in printed format, as it is intended for improved. It will be reviewed and updated Tony Russell, NCN Director, Sustrans

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 6 update NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON URBAN URBAN DESIGN STUDY TOURS Urban Design DESIGN 2014 This year’s study tours have been to Tou- Group’s Annual Held at Nottingham Trent University, with louse and the Bastides of Gascony led by a comprehensive programme devised by Alan Stones, and Hamburg including Hafen General Meeting Laura Alvarez and Stefan Kruczkowski, the City & IBA led by Sebastian Loew. conference featured technical visits, and 23 The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, speakers in triple parallel sessions. The an- POLICY AND CAMPAIGNS London, 10 June 2015 nual dinner was held at City Hall, with music Key UDG members have worked on a series provided by an Argentinian Tango orchestra, of initiatives including: and Ben Hamilton-Baillie gave a recitation of The Farrell Review of Architecture and the Katy Neaves continuing in the role of Chair the Argentinian Tango song El Cordon – The •Built Environment of the UDG, highlighted the following points Kerb, with a translation commissioned spe- Designing the Underworld – Robert in the Annual Report to 28 February 2015. cially for the conference. The table design •Huxford competition was judged by Sir Terry Farrell, Industrious Cities – Jeremey MEMBERSHIP and the diners were addressed by Graham •Hernalesteen This year saw the implementation of an Allen, MP for North Nottingham. The UDG is Urban Form – Roger Evans increase in membership subscription rates, hugely grateful to Laura and Stefan for their • Health and Physical Activity – Barry Sell- the first increase in 10 years. It was pleasing efforts and inspiration in creating a remark- •ers, including an event at the Gallery in April to see that this had no effect on member- able three days. 2015. ship numbers. December 2015 saw the introduction of an integrated membership LONDON EVENTS URBAN DESIGN WEEK and accounts system implemented through The UDG has continued to develop and Urban Design Week in 2014 was very low considerable voluntary work. expand its ambitious programme, which key due to the difficulty of attracting now includes around 20 events per year at sponsorship. URBAN DESIGN JOURNAL Cowcross Street alone. Led by Paul Reynolds Urban Design has seen a number of very the 2014-15 programme included presenta- URBAN UPDATE high quality contributions this year, and tions, a film night and walks. The UDG’s email newsletter continues to be welcomed Daniela Lucchese to its Editorial a valuable resource for urban designers and Board. Members are encouraged to contact URBANNOUS – VIDEO ON DEMAND is received by around 2,000 individuals. In the editors with topics that they would like Thanks are due to Fergus Carnegie who con- 2015 steps were taken to maintain a weekly to cover in future issues. tinues his largely voluntary work making the service. UDG’s monthly events at Cowcross Street URBAN DESIGN DIRECTORY available to a global audience through the 2015-17 Urbannous website. This is a great resource The new Urban Design Directory produced and tremendously valuable archive of the by Louise Thomas and Claudia Schenk was huge number of presentations given at the launched at the National Urban Design UDG in recent years, and now greatly en- Financial Review 2014–5 Awards in March 2015 alongside a new hanced by a subject index. interactive website by Ed Povey of BrightPie Totals at www.urbandesigndirectory.com. It has UDG REGIONS INCOMING RESOURCES been widely circulated to developers, house Colin Munsie continued as UDG Vice-Chair Subscriptions £114,461 builders and local authorities, and continues for the regions, working to strengthen the Publications and Awards £6,099 to attract attention. Group’s links throughout the UK and beyond, Conference Fees & Sponsorship £14,246 with these highlights: Donation from Urban Design NATIONAL URBAN DESIGN AWARDS East Midlands – activity has radically Services Ltd £13,963 Led by Awards Chair Noha Nasser, this •increased in the past two years, particularly Activities to Generate Funds – year’s awards event at the Victory Services following this year’s conference. We have Interest Received £373 Club in March was full to capacity in its new had strong involvement in consulting regen- Inland Revenue: Gift Aid £4,216 format. Generously sponsored by Routledge, eration strategies, both within Nottingham Miscellaneous Income £458 Urban Initiatives Studio (2014 Practice city centre and its outskirts, especially the TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES £153,816 Award Winner), and Bespoke, the Francis deprived areas south and north of the city. Tibbalds Trust gave prizes to: These ventures have involved community RESOURCES EXPENDED Practice Award Winner: URBED engagement and working with local universi- Charitable Expenditure – • Public Sector Award Winner: Birmingham ties over a series of projects, seminars and Publications & Awards £24,110 • Municipal Housing Trust, Birmingham City through expert advisory groups including General £65,538 •Council the smart-phone Placecheck. Conference Expenditure £16,201 Developer Award Winner: Barratt Homes South (Solent) – this group has contin- Governance costs (accountancy) £1,200 •Southern Region •ued its regular meetings in Southampton, Student Award Winner: Clara Kohler, co-ordinated by Peter Frankum of Savills, TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED £107,049 •Cardiff University drawing together public and private sec- NET (EXPENDITURE)/ Book Award Winner: Smart Cities: Big tor representatives from across the Solent INCOME FOR THE YEAR £46,767 •Data, Civic Hackers, and the Quest for a New area, including the high profile Solent Utopia, Anthony M. Townsend, W. W. Norton Design Awards and a training scheme for FUND BALANCES & Company councillors and allied professions led by Liz BROUGHT FORWARD £93,967 Kessler, John Hearn, Richard Eastham and FUND BALANCES The Lifetime Achievement Award was given Mark Waller-Gutierrez in Winchester and CARRIED FORWARD £140,734 to Sir Terry Farrell. Eastleigh. CURRENT ASSETS £188,004 CURRENT LIABILITIES £47,271 TOTAL NET ASSETS £ 140,734

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 update 7

most of these enclosed corners to squares being opened up, though we saw a surviv- ing example at Montréal. Elsewhere the characteristic jutting forward of the end of an arcaded building signals the entry to the square. Very often one or more sides of the square have lost their arcades altogether, and, in the worst case, Beaumarchès, a 19th century Mairie occupies most of what was the market square. The bastides we saw in Gascony are low-key, attractive small towns in a pleas- ant rolling landscape. They are not as impressive as some of the more spectacular examples further north, such as Monpazier, Villefranche de Rouergue or Montauban, but they raise the intriguing question of whether they could be a more suitable model for ur- ban expansion in the South East of England 1 than the garden city. Toulouse and the cancer research and treatment campus in We concluded our tour with a look at the southern suburbs. They are also con- two medium-sized towns, Auch and Agen. Bastides of Gascony templating adding a third metro line to their Auch is perched on a hill above the River existing network and extending the existing Gers. It has a medieval core and precipitous Study Tour, 6–14 June 2015 tram line. stairways descending to the river. Its cathe- After this demonstration of big-city dral has unique Renaissance stained glass ambition, we appreciated the contrast and choir stalls. Agen’s medieval core is of the small-scale bastides. Bastides are harder to find, as it was bisected in the 19th Twenty-five UDG members and friends set planned towns of the 13th century, most of century by Haussmann boulevards. Tou- off by Eurostar from St. Pancras station in which never reached any great size. They louse suffered the same fate, but its historic early June to spend a week getting to know are the result of an unparalleled wave of centre is more extensive and the damage the city of Toulouse and then explore the town-building in South West France – 315 correspondingly less severe. nearby bastides of Gascony. This was to be foundations have been counted. Their pur- • a sequel to a UDG tour of bastides in the pose was largely economic: an attempt by Alan Stones, architect-planner, urban design consultant and former Head of Design at Dordogne and the Lot thirty years ago. rival lords to stake out their territory and Essex County Council Toulouse is one of the most vibrant cities control its production. Often their founda- in France. In the 13th century the glittering tion was embodied in a contract between Courts of Toulouse rivalled that of the Kings the local landowner and the promoter or 1 Arcaded square, Valence sur Baise of France. In the 15th century the city grew founder which determined the layout of the 2 Fources, a round bastide rich from the woad-dye trade, and many town, responsibilities and financial costs 3 Toulouse, the ville rose merchants built elegant town houses in pink and benefits to the parties. brick with stone embellishments, which The planned origin of the bastides is give the historic town its distinctive char- evident from their grid layout. Generally a acter. These merchants were the capitouls market square is located in the centre, cre- or oligarchs who made up the independent ated by the omission of one street block. city council which sat in the Capitole, the Often this square is bordered by arcades un- seat of government established in the 12th der the frontage buildings. Frequently there century, which is today disguised behind is an impressive-sized church dating from an impressive 18th century facade. The city the original foundation of the town, testify- also benefitted from the pilgrimage to Com- ing to the scale of ambition of the founders, postela by acquiring the magnificent basilica and located two blocks away from the mar- of St Sernin, the largest Romanesque church ket square. In some cases, such as Grenade, 2 in France. Cologne, Mauvezin, Barran and Bassoues, Today Toulouse owes its prosperity to the original market halls survive. They have the aerospace and high-tech industries, elaborate timber-framed roofs, and were and has expanded considerably beyond its originally intended to incorporate a small original historic core. Toulouse-Métropole, upper storey to house the town council. the association of Greater-Toulouse local Some bastides retain remnants of for- authorities, gave us a presentation of their tifications, though the most impressive current grands projets. These included fortifications we saw belonged to castel- reshaping of the public realm within the naux or small settlements centred around historic centre under the direction of Cata- castles, most of which have not survived. lan architect Joan Busquets, the creation Montesquiou, Tillac, Larressingle and of a sub-regional park along the Garonne Fourcès were the best and most attractive river designed by landscape architect Henri examples we saw, though Fourcès is classed Bava, the re-planning of the area around the as an unusual round bastide. main railway station to form a multi-modal, A distinctive feature of bastides is the mixed-use hub, the development of a new cornière or market square arcade which aerospace research and education quar- continues the line of the street which enters ter, and the establishment of Oncopole, a the square. The needs of traffic resulted in 3 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 8 update

Assembled, Kostof was diagnosed with can- in being a conceptual formal order, non- cer. He dedicated the final months of his life hierarchical, neutral, until it is infused with to completing the study, and both volumes specific content...the grid is what you make were published shortly after his death. It is a it’. real life’s work. Kostof devotes the third section to The Kostof has a fantastic way with words. City as Diagram. He gives significant air He covers enormous ground, taking in a time to Garden City theory here, and is less plethora of examples. He never dwells on an critical of Ebeneezer Howard than of many example for more words than are needed, the other city planners he includes as exam- with many simply afforded a single incisive ples. Overall he concludes that ‘all ideal city sentence. The City Shaped is not a guide, forms are a little dehumanizing... the city in more a thorough review of the history, pur- diagram, in the end, is the story of dreamers pose and drivers of the design features that who want the complexity and richness of the we as urban designers employ every day. urban structure without the problems, ten- And for that reason it is a sobering, but si- sions and volatility’. multaneously motivating read. The penultimate chapter considers The The illustrations throughout the book Grand Manner. Kostof majors on capital cit- are an important part of its magic. Each ies, and Washington unsurprisingly. Some The Urban Design turn of the page reveals another great plan fantastic images and plans illustrate the – the original city plan for Philadelphia, a scale of ambition, both delivered and left on Library #15 wood-engraving of the ‘Haussmannisation’ the drawing board. of Paris, or the cadastral plan of Florence Kostof’s final section focuses on the ur- The City Shaped: Urban Patterns from 1427. But the stars of the show are the ban skyline. It is here that he argues for a and Meanings Through History, Spiro drawings of Richard Tobias which permeate much stronger voice for communities in the Kostof, (Thames & Hudson 1991) through every section, illustrating the nu- aesthetic vision of their cities. For Kostof, ances of Kostof’s arguments. These simple the elements which puncture the skyline greyscale drawings are highly effective and should reflect a city’s governance – its politi- the common hand draws the book together. cal and social priorities – as has been true Until Spiro Kostof came along, architectural The book is divided into five sections. throughout history. I wonder what he would history had been a stodgy, chronological ode The first section titled Organic Patterns make of London’s skyline today… to architects and their grand plans for cities. charts the ways in which cities have come One of Kostof’s recurring and strong Enter stage left Spiro Kostof, a man of the about and grown. He mocks the notion that messages throughout The City Shaped is people with a very different approach. cities are either planned or organic, illus- that we must guard against concluding too Spiro Kostof was a unique and dedicat- trating the reality that the two co-exist in quickly on context. Under pressure to find ed historian. He single-handedly changed most global cities and that the starting point the urban design solution, we can jump the approach to architectural history. He behind many planned urban forms was en- to conclusions and grab hold of an idea was dedicated to revealing the true history tirely organic and vice-versa: ‘The informal without truly understanding from what it of each nuance in the character of cities. In is not by accident or completely random in became. Kostof calls us to enter into the The City Shaped he skilfully lays bare our the same way that the formal is not strict to spirit of our city, to understand its historical tendencies to draw assumptions from su- rules or not responsive to context’. Tobias’s essence and its continuing life. For anyone perficial analysis, and provides us instead drawings artfully illustrate Kostof’s point – struggling with motivation in the day job, with a rich encyclopaedia of how places showing how a supposedly random tangle of The City Shaped is a great reminder of why were really made. streets in an Islamic City can grow out of a we got into design in the first place. Kostof was born in Istanbul and moved highly ordered Roman grid. The city of Herat • to the USA to study at Yale in the 1950s. He in Afghanistan is used as an example to Jane Manning, Associate, Allies and Morrison had started out studying drama before be- show the inherent co-existence of planned Urban Practitioners ing attracted to architectural history. Those and organic – where a near perfect square that studied under him at Berkeley, where sets off a supergrid structure within which a READ ON he spent most of his career as a professor, ‘lively jumble of street elements prevail’. He The City Assembled: The Elements of Urban recount his engaging and lively manner in sees every design feature and approach as Form Through History, Spiro Kostof delivering lectures – an energy which trans- part of the process, and is emphatic that we (Thames & Hudson, 1992) lates into his writing. should not consider any past intervention Spiro Kostof's last series of lectures at the The social movements of the 1960s as wrong, just as a product of the process University of Berkeley: http://www.lib. had a profound impact on him. He argued and crucially the social and cultural context berkeley.edu/MRC/kostof.html that design and architecture could not within which it came about. He reserves his be divorced from their social and cultur- criticism for the contemporary planners, ur- al context, and in doing so he laid much ban designers and architects who base their of the ground work for the contextualism designs on false assumptions drawn from movement. He wrote prolifically and even superficial historical analysis. authored and presented a television series: The second section focuses exclusively America by Design. on the grid. It is a rightly weighty section The City Shaped, together with The City for a feature we employ on a daily basis. Assembled its companion text, is an epic Kostof’s historical review emphasises how study of how the world’s cities have been the grid has been used across very differ- made. It is comprehensive in its coverage, ent cultures and for very different reasons. but written in such an engaging and often Examples such as a rubbing of the city plan playful manner that it draws you in, so you for the Chinese city of Suzhou in 1229 illus- feel part of the archaeological investiga- trate how a grid can be supple and used to tion. Shortly after drafting The City Shaped, create real beauty on the ground. As Kostof and part way through compiling The City concludes ‘the virtue of the grid is precisely

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 update 9

Photograph Winner Competition: Where do you read Urban Design?

‘Catching up on the magazine be- tween snorkelling and sailing...’

Juris Greste in the Whitsunday Islands, Prompted by this picture (above) taken in North Queensland, Jalisco, Mexico earlier this year, we invited Australia, August 2015 readers to show us where they read Urban Design magazine, and we are delighted to reveal the winning entry and two excellent runners-up. Winning a year’s free member- ship of the Urban Design Group, and of course with it the magazine, is Juris Greste. The two runners-up, who will be invited to review a book for the journal are Lucy Natarajan in sitting on the steps of the Tea- tro Greco in Taormina, Sicily, July 2015: ‘It was re-built in the days of prosper- ity under the Roman Empire, and has been converted now for rock and classical music ‘I’m sitting on the concerts. In the background behind the ruins of the theatre you can see the beauti- steps of the Teatro ful town of Taormina nestled in the coastal Greco, the ancient ridge, which has inspired writers and artists for centuries including JW Goethe and Guy theatre founded by de Maupassant, while my friend who took the Greeks in the the photograph is climbing to the top of the theatre in the searing summer sun!’ middle of the 3rd And Valentina Giordano... century BC. ...’

Lucy Natarajan in Taormina, Sicily, July 2015

‘Standing in front of the truly amazing UK Pavilion.’

Valentina Giordano at the EXPO Milan 2015

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 10 international

Is Social Behaviour Reflected in Residential Masterplanning? Cindy Carmelia examines Jakarta’s changing housing forms

1 2 ‘There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges facing our cit- and terraced houses. Jakarta, with its rapid population growth at 3.8 ies or to the housing crisis, but the two issues needs to be consid- per cent per year, sees demand for more housing; land has become ered together…’ scarce, and therefore new housing development has been pushed Sir Richard Rogers, Evening Standard, 18 February 2013 further out to Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek area). The city can learn a lot about the evolution of residential urban development by looking In the past, housing was used as shelter from weather and wild at inner Jakarta’s housing in comparison to the Greater Jakarta area’s animals, but over time the definition of a house has changed from new residential masterplans. a functional matter to a measure of social status. There is no doubt that housing is one of the basic necessities in human life. Housing EVOLVING HOUSING MASTERPLANS development typically covers more than 60 per cent of land in many In the 1980s when land was still plentiful, housing estates tended to cities, and therefore its design has an impact on the identity of the have permeable streets connected to arterial roads. These estates city itself. Stakeholders such as developers and town planners have had larger backyards, more open spaces and neighbours were more tried to improve the design of housing to suit the needs of its citizens than welcome to visit each other’s houses, and allowed their kids to or customers. play outside their homes. There was more socialising and the hous- A good city is the result of good site planning from each indi- ing estates were very much non-gated communities. Not everything vidual land parcel upwards. Quoting Kevin Lynch’s statement ‘Site was planned from the start but these communities flourished and planning is the art of arranging the external environment to support developed over time. The prototype is generally low-rise, low-densi- human behavior’, human behaviour and the environment clearly in- ty, in sizes varying from low to high income class standards. In pre- fluence each another as part of the city’s creation. Since housing is mium estates, there are security gates at the housing development’s an essential part of human lives, the way that housing development entrance, to filter visitors and the public. The security gates serve a is designed will influence city development. Residential areas are functional role, rather than being an aspirational statement about the easiest way to uncover the local culture of a city. Local trends the estate. There are also ‘eyes on the street’ to increase security and design are often a translation of the needs, behaviour and pride inside the housing estate itself. of inhabitants. The question discussed here is: can social behav- Since 2000, social behaviour has changed from an open soci- iour change the way that residential masterplans are designed? Or is ety towards a more individualistic culture. This is not entirely due there any relationship between the design of housing and social be- to economic reasons, but to technology and social media, which haviour in big cities? reduces social engagement between people, especially between neighbours in the same housing estate. Fewer children are allowed BIG CITY, BIG CHANGES to play outside their homes and more security gates and fences have Big cities in Japan, China, Indonesia and India have always been been installed. Communities have evolved into ‘planned communi- known for their large populations. Indonesia for example, is an archi- ties’ where ‘eyes on the street’ have been replaced by CCTV. New pelago country with a massive population of over 237 million people. residential masterplans have changed from non-gated communities Development and particularly housing development in its large cities with permeable streets, into gated communities with cul-de-sacs such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Medan has been booming and walled off boundaries. for the past few years. Apart from external environmental and social behaviour factors, In 2014 Indonesia’s capital city Jakarta had over 10 million in- the key stakeholders such as developers and town planners have also habitants (not including Greater Jakarta-Sumber), and was ranked contributed to the evolution of these housing developments. Sinarto as the second most populated city in the world; Jakarta is therefore Dharmawan, Chief Operating Officer of developer Intiland Grande has complex and fast paced in its urban development. described the main reason for choosing to create a gated commu- Historically, land in inner Jakarta was plentiful and housing de- nity as the building of a secure environment. He has also emphasised velopment was mainly low rise and low density, such as bungalows that today’s customers prefer to have their property secured and

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 international 11

1 An older landed housing estate entrance with more security 2 A lavish entrance to a newer housing estate 3 Graha Natura – the entrance and security arrangements 4 Masterplan of the Graha Natura development

3 well demarcated, to separate their house from public intrusion. This is a result of crime rates that have spiked from the late 1990s on- wards; people have become more suspicious of one another and this is reflected in social life and translated into residential environments. Moreover, in the 1980s, a secured walled-off boundary was less preferable: most of housing estates of the time had a ‘blurred’ boundary with their neighbouring estate. Many people enjoyed the 4 permeable roads and often saw it as an advantage allowing them rather than a natural process of building identity. Our social culture to pass through easily – usually as the fastest way to get home. In of kinship has slowly diminished as reflected in the way that the the 2000s, a secured walled-off neighbourhood is seen as highly residential estate is being designed. preferable and people who own properties from the 1980s have now In the end, whether it is a gated or non-gated community, the adopted a new system called a ‘portal’ gate. The portal gate is a hard idea of socialising between neighbours is something that is posi- fence or gate created for extra security to restrict people from ac- tive and needs to be preserved. Social space as well as open space cessing the residential roads too readily. The open permeable roads in a residential neighbourhood should be lively and well designed have become the private property of each specific housing estate. to encourage residents to use it. Attempts to promote this will help This will eventually inconvenience the visitor and inhabitants, as to engage society to seek more interaction with others. Developers their way-finding includes detours around the areas. and urban designers therefore need to raise the bar in designing new Social evolution has definitely brought a new flavour to urban master planning concepts.As social behaviour and residential de- life. Living within boundaries has become part of urban lifestyles velopment work together as part of the urban development process, and connectivity has diminished. The street pattern of the new Jakarta still has plenty of room to expand its city design. residential estates has become more uniform with a large grid-like • pattern, whereas in the 1980s housing areas, there was a mixture of Cindy Carmelia, Principal, Studio Rancang Ruang, Jakarta, Indonesia organic and grid patterns. Today’s housing estates have less open space compared to the old housing estates, as social activity outside homes has become less desirable. Yet the housing market now includes more variety of housing types; from low rise, low density housing to apartments. The master- plans of mixed-use development has also become a design trend in the market.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE JAKARTA’S CITY DEVELOPMENT As the design of low density housing estates that dominated 1980s development in Jakarta is no longer regarded as the best model, the trend for gated communities is now the preferred option when peo- ple choose their homes. For urban design, this has defined a lifestyle of exclusivity: people have less interaction with their neighbours and with the high value of land, open spaces within the housing estate have become small or sometimes, non-existent. Housing master- plans often have a universal streetscape and pattern, making the identity of the place only a part of developer’s marketing strategy,

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 12 Topic

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 13 Designing Housing Quality, quantity and diversity

s many of the contributors to this issue say, providing so perhaps it will take some time before alternative funding and enough homes for the population, here in the UK and development approaches become more conventional. A abroad, continues to be one of the main planning and In this issue, we therefore explore approaches to housing development challenges of the 21st century. In 2007 the then which are standardised, non-standard but becoming established, Labour government set a target for 240,000 homes to be built or alternative in their processes and outcomes. The emphasis is per year here in the UK by 2016 to meet housing demand. For not on cataloguing case studies and housing layouts, as there are many years after World War Two, more than 300,000 new many exemplars already published, but on looking across the homes were built per year, and yet recently the annual rate has range of providers and the resultant complexity – and inherent been closer to 141,000 homes – around half of that target. richness – that urban designing housing now involves. In looking at the topic of designing housing, the articles that First is an overview of the latest UDG funded research project follow are set within the context of post-recession UK housing seeking to understand the value of urban design to house build- provision and not in pursuit of greater housing numbers, but ers, undertaken by Richard Hayward, Ivor Samuels and myself. quality; and intentionally do not look into London’s high density This aimed to identify the nature of the gap between national housing debate, as reported earlier (p3). Just as the recession house builders and urban design, and found that urban design changed developers’ focus from urban renaissance-led high itself was almost the weakest point of connection, by being both density apartment developments in every town and city, to more universally important and yet unmeasurable. In a similar con- family housing in less central locations, so too has it effected the text, Amy Burbidge describes how four North Northamptonshire need to add value through design quality, in order to compete in councils established processes to control development quality a slower market. and considers how that is working. Paul Sallin reflects on how The UDG research project on housebuilders’ understanding local authorities can work with developers to achieve better of urban design (p 14) shows that while there is no simple cal- housing quality. Malcolm Morgan compares existing and new culation to value good urban design, it does help developments housing standards in the UK, Europe and beyond with interest- to sell faster and for a higher value. This realisation has brought ing results; while Tim Pharoah explores private open space, and about a greater willingness amongst developers to rethink whether our assumptions about how much, where and for what standardisation and minima in housing design, in order to com- purpose it is provided, should be updated to reflect contempo- pete on quality instead. We know however that in many areas rary lifestyles. of Britain that ‘adding value’ is a luxury that not all can afford: Having studied the evolution of a co-housing scheme in ‘value’ can mean either better quality, or simply getting more London over several years, Melissa Fernandez Arrigoitia and room for your money… Kathleen Scanlon look at the ways in which this alternative As urban designers we see different forms of housing as gen- approach works here and in Europe. Stephen Hill reports on an erating a presence of people in an area and adding richness, and action research project which is seeking input to support greater recognise the variety of people, activities and spaces that it can learning about co-housing older people. Jonathan Tarbatt exam- bring. Similarly the concept of live-work has grown considerably ines live-work developments and finds ‘work-live’ to be a more with access to high speed internet services in the remotest loca- apt if sophisticated objective. Finally Andy von Bradsky reviews tions, and yet how much of this fine-grained mixed use do we the challenges of affordable housing provision – its delivery, understand – is it as mixed and vibrant as we envisage, and how funding, and variety of typologies – and returns to the new hous- can we make it more vital, viable and diversified? ing standards which urban designers will need to embrace. Just as the Government has published new but optional In many ways the future of housing design seems to be com- minimum housing standards, it is useful to compare these with plicated with detailed issues that will matter more and more. But how other countries set their housing standards, and whether this should regenerate the richness once found in towns, cities, we are significantly under-providing our housing. This goes suburbs and villages alike, and will allow the ubiquitous semi- hand-in-hand with our perceptions of private garden space and detached house to be more appreciated, or reinvented to reflect whether having a garden is a universal aspiration and for what society’s changing needs. kind of activities. Rethinking what we need (and want) at differ- • ent stages of life is part of designing cities, towns, suburbs and Louise Thomas villages, which urban design can do more to support. Given that by 2025 forecasts suggest that more than half of those under 40 will be living in properties owned by private landlords, and more young people under 30 are now living at home than ever before, finding new ways of releasing and redesigning existing homes and residential areas is a key urban design role. Co-housing seems to offer a win-win solution to many of life’s complications, and yet why is it still such a small proportion of new housing provision? More financially secure baby-boomers could lead the way in creating examples to learn from, acting as clients, co-designers and occupiers. The conven- Leeds, the LILAC tional deliverability models for house building were said to be co-housing community ‘broken’ in the weeks and months after the credit-crunch, and and its pond

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 14 Topic

1 Urban Designing Housing Ivor Samuels, Louise Thomas and Richard Hayward recently completed their UDG research project: Understanding the Value of Urban Design to House Builders; Richard Hayward reports for the team on the findings of this project

here has long been a rich and varied popular and profes- 1 Birmingham, Specifically urban design; and sional mythology relating to volume house builders Park Central,. a • Inspirations and achievements. maintained in the media, often with obsessions, amongst development by • T Crest Nicholson others, about land-banks, the desecration of the countryside, in partnership with The essentials we were looking for could and ‘Noddy houses’ generating excessive profits. The profes- Optima Housing be characterised as Kipling’s six good sions related to design, development and construction, maintain Association and men(sic) and true: What? Why? How? Birmingham City their own rather more extensive range of often blanket criti- Council of apartments Who? When? Where? cisms, including a lack of appreciation and use of good modern and houses, including The entire pro-forma can be found in architecture and advanced construction, and yes, not much some rehabilitated the appendices of the report on the UDG understanding of urban design, whatever that is. units, surrounding an website. Whilst the discussions generally eight acre park. ‘What is urban design?’ could be regarded as a worrying set out with more of a focus on process question of definition and communication, as highlighted by this than product, we hope that the key study. But before we discuss the questions and challenges arising outcomes will help us to understand each from this modest piece of work, we should consider how this other better across the range of identified 1small research team presented the proposal to UDG and carried dualities or divides -the public/private; out the enquiry with a small sample of house builders. design/construction; developer/control- ler; and practitioner/academic. TALKING TO HOUSE BUILDERS Key to our approach was to try to hear from house builders URBAN DESIGN IN HOUSING themselves about the way that they manage the production of DEVELOPMENT housing. Essentially, we used a series of loosely structured inter- Thus, based on discussions with develop- views with key staff in each of six companies. These interviews ers, we believe that we have a broad were loose because we wanted to learn about their ways of work- overview of the key ways in which house ing, and their view about the context in which they work. They builders manage product quality: were structured as we wanted to ensure that we had a core spine how urban design principles and of answers and opinions to use comparatively, as appropriate. •approaches explicitly or implicitly influ- Our discussion prompts began with the processes employed ence thinking and decision-making; within the company, to identify the ways that they considered, where that knowledge is held in the directed and managed design within their organisational con- •organisation (corporate direction, indi- text, but also to identify the pattern and loci of design interven- vidual passions or external advisers); tions and key decision-making. what factors the design teams who pre- The structured interview pro-forma was organized around •pare proposals for planning approval and four broad open-ended areas of inquiry, and all answers were construction, regard as key influences treated as anonymous from the outset: • positive and negative – on their ability • The way you do things (from conception to completion); to achieve appropriate results, on budget • The way you use others to help you; and on time; Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 15

2 High Wycombe, Cometa by Aston Homes, an apartment block in an otherwise nondescript suburban street. 2 how design quality is assessed by the developer, by the local •authority or not at all; and how and where new urban design knowledge and skills should •be introduced.

DIFFERENT VIEWS The study process involved returning individual accounts of interviews to the six main respondents for factual checks. From a review of the views gathered, we then drew up a list of points of significant agreement or disagreement, but also included some where respondents’ views were ‘scattered’, and some that were extreme outliers in terms of practice or opinion.

This list was tabulated under four broad headings: 1. Planning and Highways; 2. Communities, Design and Briefing; 3. Industry Standards and Supporting the Industry; 4. Customer Feedback and The Value of Urban Design. 3 3 Developers asked some house builders, where once it was Within these headings there were 50 key statements. This about inspirational avoided by most. schemes from tabulation was used as the basis of a Delphi exercise to test the the past cited the This small pilot study led us to views of our core sample anonymously against a similar sample Garden Cities and conclude that there are indeed issues of (again anonymous) house builders, who agreed to respond Garden Suburbs to consider through targeted research at least by indicating: ‘agree strongly/agree/not sure/disagree/ of the early 20th related to the shape of the UK house century. A close in strongly disagree’ for all statements or sub-statements, but also Hampstead Garden building sector compared to other with an opportunity to add further opinions. Suburb makes European practices, in terms of design, Delphi exercises are useful primarily where a critical review reference to the non space standards and overall building of anonymous responses from one expert group is presented adopted spaces of performance. This research would also many contemporary to another (also anonymous) expert group, which should elicit schemes. need to adopt an approach of tracking frank peer-group feedback. Whilst house builders enjoy a wide- the key organisational frameworks for ranging social and professional exchange network and can usu- the production of housing elsewhere. A ally detect the authors of anonymously stated views, the Delphi surprising number of major UK house tabulation of multiple-authored propositions reduced the oppor- builders agreed that government needs tunity for much second-guessing that could skew responses. to provide more assistance to keep small In this process, eight new respondents gave their views, and house builders as a healthy part of the sec- we also encouraged the original six respondents to confirm (or tor; this obviously raises issues regarding otherwise) their original views through the Delphi exercise. the domination by the large players of the land market here compared with much of KEY FINDINGS the rest of Europe. We believe that the detail arising from both the primary sample We were surprised by the apparent responses and the Delphi exercise warrant detailed reading. relatively narrow focus on supporting There are significant areas of agreement, particularly the urban design guidance and frames problems arising from a range of issues related to planning and of reference. It was clear from most highways, but very divided views on the nature and use of design respondents that customer feedback on codes. Opinions are divided on the value of Building for Life and urban design quality was difficult in terms BfL12, with a feeling by our research team that despite these dif- of definition and therefore negligible, and ferences there is an appetite for a new industry standard. Early thus whilst they mostly regarded urban community consultation seems to be now regarded as vital by design as important, they could not, on

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 16 Topic

The ways in which large developers manage product and urban design varies tremendously

4 the whole, correlate this importance to any added value. This brings us back to ‘whatever is urban design’. The ways in which large developers manage product and urban design varies tremendously. Many of the largest have a central design or urban design capacity that informs – often via the company intranet – regional teams. Some have a specific urban design capacity in-house, within each region or even sub- regional offices. Some use regional offices with relative auton- omy over decision-making from start to finish, although most schemes in larger developers are signed off by regional directors in association with company HQ. Two quite different large 5 developers maintain a close central role in terms of all decisions 4 Oxford, The contemporary lifestyles. This is essential regarding the location, management and quality realisation of Waterways, a but it is a tall order, and one which we development by their product. Most employ some in-house staff with design and Berkeley Homes on seem to be moving further away. Whilst urban design expertise, but may bring in private consultants a former brownfield the ambition to achieve Code Level 6 was for special or difficult sites. One large developer will generally site one mile from controversial and tough for even the best use a centrally based specialist urban design team in the latter the centre of Oxford. house builders, it marked a significant The public spaces situations, although their contribution is costed as a consultancy are maintained by a aspiration to create progressive develop- input. However, another large company uses consultants for all management company. ments for a future of increasing global architecture and urban design, and aims to develop longer-term 5 Faringdon, Folly Park change and challenges. contractual relationships with the best. View, a development of Housing has always been perhaps apartments and houses by Bloor Homes, on the most important thematic element in FUTURE UDG ACTIONS? the edge of this small urban, suburban and rural settlements. This leads us to believe that UDG has an opportunity to establish market town of around It seems unlikely that the brief pre- how its members can generate an approach to urban design pri- 7,000 inhabitants. eminence of office or retail forms over the orities specifically for volume house building. However, from the last six or seven decades will be so endur- house builder views and the state of local planning authorities in ing an influence on the places of human England and Wales, it is clear that the UDG will need to encour- exchange. Our study respondents were age wider membership from public sector planning bodies, asked to identify exemplar forms from the especially development control, but also highways. past, resulting in almost universal refer- There is no doubt that in the world we now work in, there is ence to garden cities and garden suburbs. more pressure than ever to control processes and products as They also identified a range of valued efficiently as possible. Whilst national volume house builders contemporary housing examples which have often adopted special approaches to prime or difficult are illustrated here with photographs by locations, it is clear that most of those who took part in this Ivor Samuels. study still use standard types and elevational treatments in many The full report is available to read at locations. These standard types are however definitely not used www.udg.org.uk/content/house-builders- in London and other property hot-spots. and-urban-design. Urban designers have been groomed and urged over decades • to fill the gaps between planning and architecture – and even Richard Hayward, Emeritus Professor of between the wider groups of experts, professionals, politicians Architecture and Urban Design, University of Greenwich. and the communities who crave better places. One thing that Ivor Samuels, architect, town planner and this study inescapably established is that the elements and vital currently Honorary Senior Research Fellow interactions of urban design are not given or defined adequately in the Urban Morphology Research Group, in the everyday production of volume house building, to the Birmingham University. Louise Thomas, urban designer and co- extent that a discussion of the quality of such environments and convenor of the 2012 UDG conference on ways in which to do things better, may, in many cases prove very ‘The Value of Urban Design’. difficult indeed. Like so many problematic issues, improvement will involve even more working across disciplines and sectors, and their policy and front-line representatives. We certainly need to identify the qualities that make good places to live in the 21st century, accommodating the range of

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 17

1 In Pursuit of Quality Paul Sallin provides a local authority perspective on housing

orking within a local authority is immensely reward- 1 North Colchester, Neighbourhood planning and garden ing. The reward is perhaps not financial, but comes Rosewood cities offer the prospect of devolution, Wfrom the exciting opportunity of influencing an area development strategic planning for new settlements, where you can see the fruits of your labour. It is what I hoped land value capture and community-led when leaving private practice, where I had become accustomed development. However, local authori- to producing frameworks for public sector clients that were ties are still largely controlled from never implemented, or at least not the visionary aspects of them. above, many highways authorities are The lack of design continuity appeared to be part of the problem, still a car-focused law unto themselves, with the public sector not understanding urban design enough greenfield allocations are still private to promote its principles. Being in-house allows you to offer that interest-led, greenfield compulsory design continuity. purchase order (CPO) powers have not been strengthened, and residential THE CHALLENGES development is still monopolised by The challenges to good urban design are various. There has a small group of commercially-driven never been a statutory requirement for councils to put resources mass house builders. There has also been into day-to-day urban design, and not surprisingly it is typically a backlash against urban renaissance under-resourced or not at all, except in bigger cities. It is very inspired maximum parking standards, rare to have more than one officer and therefore urban design with the pendulum swinging towards lacks the collective power to influence key strategic decisions. increased ratios (one space per bedroom Design panel reviews can help but many authorities appear to be in some authorities) and parking bay put off by the administration and costs. The UK’s undervaluing sizes (2.9 x 5.5m in Essex). This might of design contrasts with the situation in Australia where even sound inconsequential to the lay person, planning committees include designers. At least appropriately but as urban designers we know that trained designers are employed by developers… sometimes. this results in unreasonably parking- More often than not, small schemes are designed by surveyors, dominated developments and creates a with mass house builders commonly using standard house types vicious circle of dispersed settlements laid out by technicians. less able to support more sustainable Urban design also has a branding problem. Firstly the term forms of mobility. ‘urban’ raises fear in rural and suburban areas. Then, there is the The National Planning Policy idea that design is just about what it looks like. Lastly, there is Framework and in particular the section the assumption that ‘planners do that’, which is correct in most on Requiring Good Design might have places, as invariably evidenced by mixed design quality. given a policy hook for design quality, The financial crisis has made the situation worse. The public but effectively contradicts itself by only sector is now preoccupied with delivery and maximising capital suggesting that ‘poor design should be receipt from asset disposals, in which design quality can some- refused’. This places uncertainty in the times be seen as a disposable luxury. For example, new permitted planning system and leads to planners development rights for office-to-residential conversions have frequently asking the leading ques- inadvertently retained (in perpetuity) some of the ugliest build- tion ‘But is it bad enough to refuse?’, ings in the country. Funding has also been cut. CABE once acted while mindful of potentially expensive as national design champion and its much diminished role is now and time-consuming appeals. A lone symbolic. council can never solve all of the above

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 18 Topic

The structure of a local authority team can be tailored to support good urban design

2 challenges, although hopefully the following ideas provide some 2 Colchester, useful insights and tips, or at least can act as a prompt for debate. Lakelands Masterplan by Terence O'Rourke for O&H Property ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND RESOURCES 3 Working with How many urban designers should a local authority employ? developers to ensure From my experience and informed by discussions with neigh- office to residential conversions contribute bouring authorities, there should be about one dedicated urban regeneration value, 3 designer for every 500 forecast new properties a year, which for Telephone House, smaller authorities might equate to a part-time/ consultancy / Colchester Town provides an opportunity to highlight the shared resource. This would cover the review of all major and Centre by SB2 value of design and the role of the urban other design-sensitive schemes, whilst allowing vital time for Property designer for increased economic growth, the production or overseeing of priority policies and guidance quality of life and sustainability. documents. A single urban design officer would normally need prior PRE-APPLICATION PROPOSALS AND team experience in both development management and policy PLANNING APPLICATIONS guidance, given the multi-faceted nature of the role and the need Good design processes will inevitably lead to learn from others, for example to sufficiently cover different to good proposals and vice versa. Urban design strands and master the essential software tools for the design training generally instils good job. Regular contact with other urban design officers in the area working methods within the profession, can help to counteract the problem of professional isolation. but this is not always second nature to Alternatively, communal teams (such as within a county council) developers. I would therefore recommend can service various local authorities, although the positives of design policy guidance and advice to being an urban design team can often be outweighed by not inform better procedures. This should being sufficiently imbedded in the serviced local authority cover the following points in a loosely team, or unfamiliarity with the local area, especially if there are recommended sequential order: changes in personnel. (This is first-hand experience having pre- 1. Design Team Selection viously worked for Essex County Council which served a number This is perhaps the key part of the process of district councils.) as the developer’s choice will determine The structure of a local authority team can be tailored to how long you will both need to spend to support good urban design. In Colchester, development man- achieve an acceptable scheme. Although agement, planning policy, asset management, transportation, we cannot make recommendations, we housing and regeneration are in the same integrated service can highlight the importance of design, area. This breeds understanding, collaborative working and the need for design specialisms as part helps to overcome many conflicting agendas. At the immediate of an integrated team, examples of good team level, the close support of fellow colleagues in planning, schemes (referencing designers in the pro- conservation, and landscape design is invaluable. In this respect, cess) and sadly, when a change in designer it is a sign of strength to know your limitations, be honest, listen, would help. debate, digest different perspectives, bounce ideas with a view to 2. Site and Context Analysis ultimately formulate enhanced views. The role would also ben- We might take it for granted but design efit from specialist expertise in architecture, highway engineer- teams often need to be prompted to ing and property markets. It is best not to forget to have a good genuinely analyse issues and opportunities direct working relationship with senior management and with relating to heritage, land use, townscape, councillors, as they will be making crucial decisions and will landscape, movement, local vernacular etc. need to balance competing objectives within the organisation. 3. Concept Options Member and officer design training can be useful for discussing This promotes an open and transparent key issues and creating an army of design champions. This also approach, in which we can collectively

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 19 ensure that you understand where they are coming from, and later to highlight how suggested improvements will benefit them with regard to added value, satisfy- ing decision-makers etc. Defending your views through a considered rationale is central, and occasionally more robustly when developers forget that planning is a form of market intervention and that it might add costs. All things considered, hold out for good design. Negotiation is not personal – developers cannot become friends or foes, although there can be mutual respect and clarity within the system, and all can go on to work better together in the future. I aim to undertake a Building for Life assessment for all schemes of 10+ dwellings, although I have rebelled against the advocated traffic- light system in favour of scoring. Scoring gives the assessment greater depth, more teeth and allows us to monitor perfor- mance trends. 5. Design Panel Review Design panel review gives independent advice, is supported in the NPPF, and as such carries weight at appeal. It should be seen as complementary to urban design officer review, offering further perspec- tives and collective value, whereas similar findings by a sole urban designer might be more easily dismissed. Undertaking panel reviews cannot be enforced in plan- ning policy. However, guidance can sug- gest which schemes should be reviewed and when avoidance is seen unfavourably. Panellists should ideally be paid (by the developer), although a voluntary system can also be successful, as demonstrated by the South Cambridgeshire Design Panel. Considering typical time and cost constraints, a local design panel should review developments of approximately 4 75-500 dwellings, with schemes of explore the pros and cons of different options without the devel- 4 Colchester, Lake- 500+ dwellings submitted to CABE’s oper committing to detail. Clear briefing should guard against lands Masterplan by national review panel. We are exploring Terence O'Rourke for developers’ tendency for ‘spot-the-difference’ schemes. O&H Property our options in Colchester following the 4. Development Management Design Advice demise, due to funding cuts, of both the Through our automated case management system I am con- Essex and Shape East panels. sulted on all schemes of 10+ dwellings, plus those in retail cen- tres and conservation areas. This service agreement works well PROPERTY DISPOSAL AND COUNCIL and avoids the risk of being excluded by individual planning case HOUSING officers. I also receive any other scheme where the case officer The Government’s push for the disposal wants my support. Design management should be undertaken of public sector property assets and the in partnership with case officers who will be mindful of wider construction of new council housing offer planning matters. local authorities income streams, more Receiving the right information is essential and it is therefore affordable homes and an ability to lead helpful to clarify what is required in policy. For example uncon- by example on housing quality. Urban vincing elevations can sometimes come to life with the aid of designers are ideally placed to help to computer graphics (CGIs), as well as street scenes, to understand maximise this potential. We can identify the group composition of house types. more sites based on our understanding Dialogue with developers is encouraged at the pre-applica- of what a site can accommodate whilst tion stage and normally continues through the planning applica- complying with design policy. It can also tion phase. It covers reviews and recommendations, typically help to overcome local resistance (nor- involving meetings and written comments which make reference mally the biggest obstacle to delivery) to enforceable policy and occasionally include illustrated design by designing-in net community benefits. briefing. Pre-application fees (perhaps as part of wider planning Quality schemes can be promoted by performance agreement) can cover urban design resource costs. ensuring that design-conscious develop- Negotiation skills are as important as design knowledge when ers/architects are alerted to forthcoming dealing with experienced developers. It is essential to firstly tender opportunities, informing detailed

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 20 Topic lends itself to seek out new and emerging ideas, which should be followed through by exploring how this might translate to enforceable policy hooks. Urban designers will also produce, oversee or partner supplementary design documents. Place-specific priorities might include: design frameworks for strategic centres, regeneration areas and growth zones; masterplans and design codes for strategic development areas (typically undertaken by developers at outline planning stage); and site-based development briefs. At the authority-wide level it is useful to adopt a design guide as a bible for prospective house builders, and in Colchester we refer to the famous Essex Design Guide. I would also closely scrutinise documents being produced 5 by local highway authorities, such as proposals through development briefs, competitive procure- 5 Local asset street guidance and parking standards, ment to incentivise design quality through scoring, and dialogue regeneration concept ideally with the support of an enlightened by Place Services at with bidders during procurement. Essex County Council engineer to ensure Manual for Streets compliance. LOCAL PLAN AND DESIGN GUIDANCE The battle for design quality is argu- Urban designers should be actively involved in the production ably felt strongest within a local authority of a range of key local plan documents, including core strategy, where an officer struggles for resources allocations and development management policies. In particular, relative to the development industry, they can provide (or help to oversee) outline design visions for becomes attached to the area, sees vari- proposed new settlements and urban extensions, to inform site ous and often more powerful competing allocations. This can include testing sustainable development agendas, and ultimately guides projects assumptions with regard to location and density, whilst helping through to the end. to ensure appropriate planning gain and land is factored in for • the delivery of strategic open space, transport infrastructure, Paul Sallin, Urban Designer at Colchester schools etc. Experience in development management also ena- Borough Council and formerly at Essex bles the urban designer to learn lessons from the coal-face, to County Council tailor policies better. The visioning nature of urban design also

Influencing Housing Design Quality Amy Burbidge explains how four collaborating authorities shape proposed developments

A collaborative plan

orth Northamptonshire adopted the first joint Core Strategy in N 2008, representing four bor- oughs (Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough) working collaboratively for strategic planning purposes. The Strategy set ambitious targets both for the scale of growth, being within what was then the Milton Keynes South Midlands growth area, and for the quality of that growth. This envisaged 52,000 homes and 44,000 jobs in the 20 years to 2021. Set against that plan was the reality of previous development in the East Midlands. CABE’s Housing Quality 2 Caption Audit of 2006 considered that over half 1 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 21 comments. This shared approach has been supported by the councils, who have continued to fund the design service even after external funding from CABE/Arts Council ceased. It has also meant we have been able to secure additional govern- ment funding, most recently from the Site Delivery Fund. Every eight weeks, we meet up as a Design Officers Group, where officers from the local authorities, the police, and county council can catch up on shared issues. We also often have specific presen- tations from other interested parties, like the fire service or public health services. Initially, we ran many training events, but these have rather waned in austere times. We also held a popular Site Visit Club which was a budget tour of sites within the JPU area or nearby, to learn lessons and find out the story behind schemes. Club members would arrange their own transport to keep costs low, and we only ensured that they had background papers and someone with good local knowledge to show people round. Site visits varied from looking at sustainable building prac- tices at a logistics warehouse to touring major growth areas at Peterborough. Site Visit Club was popular with councillors, 2 officers and developers, and was open to of the developments were poor, no schemes were rated as good, 1 Kingswood Square, all. and only one was seen as very good. Of the four councils, only Corby, successful case study: estate two had in-house urban design staff. To try and meet the raised redevelopment and Building for Life12 expectation of quality, the North Northamptonshire Design creation of a new We have been consistently using Building Action programme was created, originally part-funded by CABE public space for Life (BfL) and embedded it early in and Arts Council England, alongside funding from the four local 2 Wellingborough policy in a Sustainable Design Sup- route structure analysis authorities. This involved my recruitment, and a small amount of using Karl Kropf‘s plementary Planning Document. We capital funding, which was for a shared design facility across all coloured street system have also continued to monitor housing four councils. The Design Action Programme has been running design quality in our Annual Monitoring since 2008, and it is useful to go back and see what has been Reports, even after we were no longer done and what has worked or not, and to review how working in required to do so. We undertake a BfL this way has coped with the changing planning climate. assessment of every completed housing scheme of more than 10 units. These Design Surgeries include site visits, photos, and assess- The huge scale of growth in Northamptonshire, and the role ments of where people are actually of the joint planning unit (JPU) working across four councils parking and where the bins are. This year resulted in the use of Design Surgeries – an idea borrowed from and last, we published these photos and Urban Design London. These occur once per month per author- edited highlights in a pamphlet, showing ity and are run by in-house structured development teams. good and not so good practice. They bring together urban design, county highways, police crime prevention, landscape, local authority planning and other Design Codes specialists to talk about pre-application schemes. Surgeries are We now have seven urban extensions with a fast-paced way to look at a lot of schemes, and the case offic- full or developing design codes, probably ers can hear all of the specialists together, and the negotiation the largest number of consented urban between them. Over the last six months, we have been able to extensions in one area in the country, secure extra government funding from CLG’s Site Delivery Fund, and so have rapidly growing experience to support this joint working approach, and to bring in extra of both drafting and implementing the design capacity on landscape, using members of the regional codes. The design codes have been very Architecture Centre’s Design Review Panel. From these Design useful in moving forward with highway Surgeries, we published a Lessons Learnt document, setting out policy, and have been more responsive to the common issues at surgeries, and how applicants could avoid change than local plan policy can usually common pitfalls. be. Different approaches have been taken, with Priors Hall in Corby – our most Joint Working, Networks and Training advanced scheme – having a different The joint working approach of the JPU has allowed us to share relationship with the lead masterplanner, services, and pool resources. Alongside urban design, we now Will Cousins of David Lock Associates, have a shared conservation surgery where two of the councils being retained by the land owner in a role who have no in-house heritage staff can access a heritage as town architect. The town architect role specialist on a monthly basis for advice, mentoring and formal is useful as it acts as a first sift of schemes

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 22 Topic

3

to check general compliance with the design code, and to act as 3 Two of the growth spell out the problems that they see on the a point of liaison between the landowner, local authority and options, cartoon by ground. Joel Cooper individual house builders. 4 Gold Street, We also looked at the scope of the Wellingborough: a towns to accommodate further growth, Place-Shaping Approach successful study and assessed the towns’ edges to consider Our draft Core Strategy has been developed with a focus on stra- how connected new areas might be, with tegic urban design and place-making. We held two place-making a particular emphasis on sustainable workshops with CABE facilitators to help draw out ideas, and modes of movement. The themes from recorded the ideas in cartoon form by artist Joel Cooper. the Urban Structure Study have now The workshops identified that the connectivity of the settle- been distilled into a set of place-shaping ments was key to their success, and that relationship between principles, contained within our draft the collection of small towns and their countryside was key to replacement Core Strategy which envis- the area’s special character. They also identified a number of ages development up to 2031. The Plan growth options and their key characteristics. This led to under- has yet to go through examination, but taking a detailed study of the urban structure of all 11 towns in hopefully this significant piece of the North Northants, assessing their street patterns, connectivity, evidence base shows that the design morphology, green infrastructure and character. All the towns policies are targeted to the issues in North were subject to a route structure analysis using Karl Kropf’s col- Northamptonshire, ensuring that future oured street system, which essentially looks at whether streets development meets the aspirations of the connect to somewhere else, are longer strategic routes, loops, plan. or cul-de-sacs. The plans are easily drawn and understood, and show huge swathes of the towns where movement is overly com- Is it Working? plicated. Our councillors have engaged with this Urban Structure Arguing for high quality design in the Study, and particularly the route structure analysis plans, which face of major issues with development viability is a challenge. We are making an impact and I am cautiously hopeful that with the new policies in our plan, and the strong evidence base behind them, we will make a greater impact on improving the quality. Ultimately, much still depends on the negotiation on each scheme, and caring as much about the details of the paving on one house plot, as about the green infrastructure strategy across a whole town, which is why the job is so demanding and interesting. •

Amy Burbidge, Design Action Manager, North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit

2 Caption 4 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 23 Comparing Housing Space Standards Malcolm Morgan explores the different measures in the UK and abroad

lack of internal space in homes has been identified as a In addition to the table, minimum stand- problem in the UK: previous research has shown that the ards are specified for: AUK has the smallest houses in Europe. In 2015 the gov- the area of bedrooms – 7.5 m2 for ernment’s department for Communities and Local Government •single bedrooms, and 11.5 m2 for double introduced a new space standard for housing Technical housing bedrooms; and standards – nationally described space standard, which was the widths of bedrooms – 2.15 m for a slightly modified version of the one included in the London •single bedrooms, and 2.75 m for double Housing Design Guide (GLA 2010). By way of comparison, the bedrooms. majority of existing dwellings would not meet this standard (as The use of a national standard is intended shown in Morgan & Cruickshank 2014). This article provides a to simplify the current situation where brief review of space standards in a selection of different coun- many local authorities have developed ties and regions, and compares them to the new UK standard. their own systems. However, each local authority still has to choose to adopt the The new UK space standard new standard in their local plan after The ‘nationally described space standard’ was published in performing an impact assessment. Thus March 2015 but had been part of the Housing Standards Review the application of the standard will not and its associated consultations since 2013. The standard is be uniform across the country. The new expected to come into force in autumn 2015; it is provided as a standard is also tenure independent, and table for the minimum Gross Internal Area and is determined by as such removes the previous standards three factors: that applied nationally to social housing. the number of bedrooms International approaches to space • 1 List of countries the number of bed spaces and regions with standards • the number of storeys. space standards In our research, we have reviewed • selected countries’ space standards. Par- ticular emphasis was put on EU countries, Country (or Region) Determining economically developed countries, and & Population Density Regulation Characteristics countries with high population densities, (person/km2) Scale as these were more likely to be relevant to the UK context. Australia (NSW) 9 Regional/Local Minimum dwelling area based on number A range of sources were used to of bedrooms identify space standards, including direct Bermuda 1,275 National Rooms translation of the relevant building codes Canada (Ontario) 14 Regional Bedrooms or planning regulations. Of particular Cyprus 91 National Room Width use were a series of reports produced France 116 National Minimum area per person by PRC Bouwcentrum International for Germany 520 Regional None Found the European Commission outlining the Greece National Minimum bedroom areas system of building regulation in each of Hungary 107 National Minimum room widths the countries in the European Union, and Ireland 73 National Minimum dwelling area based on number a comparison of technical requirements of bedrooms, plus minimum room areas in eight European countries. Italy 202 National/Regional/ Table 1 lists the countries selected Local Bedroom/Living Room for study and a description of their space Japan 337 National Minimum area per person standards. In countries where building Netherlands 407 National Minimum room areas and widths based regulation is defined at a regional or on function local scale, an example region has been Poland 123 National Standards for offices, and related standard selected and is indicated in the table, on lighting etc. for example New South Wales (NSW) to South Korea 512 National Minimum dwelling area based on number represent Australia. When identifying of people the space standards for each country, Spain (Madrid) 809 Region/Local Minimum areas of bedrooms and living room the original regulation or building codes UK 255 National/Local were used if possible. In countries where (DCLG, 2015) Minimum dwelling area based on number of no space standards could be identified, bedrooms, people, and storeys, plus minimum a clear statement that standards did not room areas exist was sought. This was not always USA (New York) 416 Regional Minimum room areas possible, due to the practical problems of USA (California) 246 Regional Minimum room areas comparing different systems of regulation in different languages, and so these are 1 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 24 Topic additional areas such as a bathroom or kitchen, the minimum standards may not properly reflect the minimum areas of dwellings as built. Whereas in the other counties (shown with dashed lines), standards are specified for whole dwell- ings, and so do not suffer this deficiency. Relatively limited data is available about the floorspace of the housing stock across the countries listed in Table 1; however some national averages do exist. The average area of newly completed dwellings in the EU countries ranged from 180.4 m2 in Luxembourg, to 73.5 m2 in Italy, compared to 82.7 m2 in the UK. The second graph compares the average 2 size of newly completed dwellings with the minimum space standards for eleven European countries, eight with standards and three without. The coloured points represent the minimum standard for a two bedroom three-person dwelling, while the horizontal lines, or error bars, show the range of standards from a one- person to a six-person dwelling, except for Ireland which does not specify a standard for one-person dwellings. The graph does not show a relation- ship between higher standards and larger average dwelling stock. This could reflect the fact that the distribution of dwelling sizes is different between countries: a country with high standards may have many dwellings that only just exceed the standard, while another country has a greater variety of dwelling sizes. Italy and 3 the UK have the smallest dwellings and some of the most generous space stand- listed as ‘None Found’ rather than ‘Does not exist.’ 2 A comparison of ards, while Greece and Spain have larger international space houses and a less generous standard, sug- standards Types of space regulation 3 Comparisons gesting that the setting of space standards Across the case study countries there was no uniform way of between space may be determined by the magnitude of determining space standards. However five common methods standards and average the perceived problem. It is notable that were observed for the standards: size of new housing in many European countries the average minimum dimensions such as room widths, but no specific dwelling is larger than the UK minimum •limits on total areas of a dwelling; standard for a six-person dwelling. minimum areas of certain rooms; • minimum total areas per person; Conclusion • total areas of dwellings based on number of bedrooms; or It is clear that the new UK space standard • Some combination of the above categories. is more generous than many other coun- • In addition most countries also specify accessibility rules, tries’ standards. However, the new stand- such as minimum door widths and circulation areas usually ard is not greater than the average size of designed around the needs of wheelchair users. dwellings constructed in those countries. It is not yet known what the effect on the Comparing international space standards new UK standards will be, but even if new Due to the significant variation between different countries’ dwellings are built to the new standards systems of regulation, it is difficult to make direct comparisons. they will be smaller than dwellings in To provide some comparison of the different systems, a selec- most European countries. tion of example houses has been used based on the requirements • in the new UK standard, so that a best estimate of the minimum Malcolm Morgan, Research Assistant, space standard for each case can be made. This method is likely Blue Green Cities, Centre for Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering, to underestimate some standards, especially those based around University of Cambridge. minimum room widths, rather than room areas. It does not With thanks to Monique Van Beek, Eleni Soulti consider rules about lighting and access, which in practice may and Roberta Mutschler for assistance with effectively increase the minimum space standards. translations. See: Morgan, M, & Cruickshank, H (2014). The graph shows that the new UK standard is more generous Quantifying the extent of space shortages: than those of most other countries except Australia and Ireland. English dwellings. Building Research & However it should be noted that because many international Information, 42(6), p710–724. standards specify minimum areas for living spaces and bed- rooms only, while an actually dwelling would usually include

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 25

1 Reinterpreting Private Open Space Tim Pharoah looks at the amount and the forms it could take

o outside and play’, my mother would say to my 1 Arabia, Helsinki: It looks at the benefits and disbenefits of brother and me when she needed less bother. We semi-private space with private open space, and how these depend ‘Ggrew up in a house with a rear garden big enough play area on the manner and quality of provision, even for quite boisterous games. Interaction with the children and then considers alternatives to con- next door, however, required an invitation; there was no place ventional practice. for the informal meeting of neighbours, except the narrow pave- ment outside. After we left home, our parents grew older in a The private space equation property increasingly ill-matched to their changing needs. Even- It is worth considering some of the urban tually the garden became a burden and saw little activity. The design considerations that influence the house was in a typical suburb of detached and semi-detached manner and extent of private open space houses, all privately owned, and all with fairly large front and provision in housing. First is the issue rear gardens. of who is going to live in a development. How likely are they to need open space, This personal reflection introduces three themes: now or in the future? Does it need to be 1. Private garden space is valuable for parents and children, individual space, or can it be shared? Will offering security from traffic residents needs and wants change? Will 2. The absence of communal space can limit neighbourly they be able and willing to maintain the interaction space in good order? How will the type of 3. Housing to cater for different and changing requirements. tenure affect the answers to these ques- tions, and could the tenure change over Getting the right amount and type of open space in housing time, as has happened with Right to Buy is important because it is a key determinant not only of local and buy-to-let properties? amenity, but also of the efficiency and sustainability of the wider Second, there is pressure for housing urban area. In much of the UK, there is a legacy of housing with to be provided at higher densities. How private open space that meets the needs of some people some can the need for density and open space of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. It has also be reconciled? resulted in needlessly low housing densities, which have a nega- Third is the knotty issue of parking. tive impact on accessibility and infrastructure costs. Private off-street parking means less open This article questions the suitability of historic and contem- space, or a smaller building footprint. porary housing forms in terms of private open space provision. In most of continental Europe, putting

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 26 Topic

2 3 combination of the following amenities: Room for grass, greenery and •cultivation Play and leisure space that is secure • Separating living room windows from •the street • A visual setting for buildings, and Open space that is for • Storage for cars and bikes. the exclusive use of People with young children will almost individual households always value access to space outside their homes. On the other hand, not everyone is in many cases un- wants or needs their own private open derused or uncared for, space, so uniform provision will lead to inefficient use of space. Elderly or infirm [and] becomes an eye- people may need to avoid the burden of sore for neighbours and maintaining open space; students and bachelors for example may spend so little has a negative impact time at home that it hardly matters; and, on value many people do not like or have no time for gardening. 4 People’s needs and preferences vary, parking underground is a common solution. Why is this so rare 2 Tooting, London: and they change as they move through in Britain? useless private the different stages of life. Open space communal space Fourth, there is the issue of cost and price. The less open 3 Crown Street, that is for the exclusive use of individual space provided, the more housing units can be fitted onto a given Glasgow households (the quintessentially English site, and the lower the unit costs. On the other hand, the more 4 Französisches suburban model) is therefore in many open space that is included, the better the housing quality (… Viertel, Tübingen, cases underused or uncared for, in which Germany: generous discuss!) and the higher the price that can be realised. Identify- balconies plus case it becomes an eyesore for neighbours ing the optimum point where these two variables intersect is a communal space and has a negative impact on value. key task for developers. The designer must seek answers to all of Private open space (whether com- these questions in order to come up with housing schemes that munal or individual) must also be seen in are successful for both providers and occupiers. terms of the impact on the community, Perhaps, given the complexity of the design process, it and the wider city. Wasted land, whether is unsurprising that house builders so often have opted for by poor design, underuse or misuse, standard solutions that pay little attention to context. Common reduces housing densities and compact- deficiencies in the way that open space is provided in Britain’s ness, which in turn impacts negatively on housing stock include: accessibility and sustainable transport A uniformity of provision which does not respond to diverse choices. •needs and tastes across a scheme or a neighbourhood Poor design The case for communal space • Inefficient layouts and therefore needlessly low densities The relationship between public and • A rigid distinction between private and public space, resulting private space is crucial. Streets tradition- •in a lack of flexibility in the use of space ally were, and should again become, Parking which occupies or degrades garden or other open places for social interaction and sojourn, •space what Manual for Streets calls the ‘place’ Flats built with little or no private outdoor space. function. This can be achieved by reduc- • ing the dominance of moving and parked The pros and cons of private open space vehicles, and by designing the street to Space is needed between buildings to allow for light and air, and be attractive to people on foot. If streets to facilitate movement. Theoretically, streets can serve these become more social spaces again, this can basic functions, without the need for off-street open space (1:1 reduce the need for private open space. plot ratio). But on-plot open space in addition supplies some Conventionally, private open space has

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 27 taken the form of private gardens or (in apartment schemes) pri- vate communal space, but especially in recent decades, attrac- tive schemes in continental Europe demonstrate the benefits of more flexible semi-private communal spaces. The benefit to be derived from communal private open space depends crucially on its design and relationship with the dwellings. Open space that merely serves to separate buildings to minimise overlooking can often have no other useful function, and is merely a maintenance burden. Often the only activity seen in poorly designed communal spaces is lawn mowing! Well-designed communal space, however, can radically improve the quality of local life, offering an informal opportunity for the different generations of residents to mingle. By reducing the potential for under-used private gardens, communal areas can also achieve higher densities without loss of amenity.

The design response to varying needs A single solution cannot satisfy everybody. Crucially, in terms of space efficiency, the same is true of private parking space, which 5 also interacts with private space provision. A variety of provision 5 Vauban, Freiburg it in a remote multi-storey garage. Not is therefore needed, and within each neighbourhood. It should in Bresgau: street only does this clear the streets of cars, it not be necessary for households to relocate away from family adopted as play space also encourages the use of other modes, and friends, or schools or workplaces, in order to find a home since these are more easily accessible to with outdoor space that fits their needs. the home. So for the benefit of individual households and the commu- nity more widely, the housing stock should be planned to provide Conclusion a variety of combinations of housing and open space types, and The answers and possibilities raised here managed so that people can move easily between these different are as diverse as the populations, areas types as their needs and preferences change. and legal and cultural contexts in which For infill and brownfield housing (around two thirds of all housing designers and developers are new housing), the aim should be to identify housing types that working. are demanded but missing from the locality, and to design new The individual private garden is a housing that will correct the balance. In large urban extensions popular feature of British housing, and or free-standing developments, variety is needed within the provides for individual private activities. scheme. The ubiquity of the house and garden typology results, however, in a lack of Alternatives to house and garden housing choice, inefficient use of space, Open space implies green space. But if we instead think of ‘open and needlessly low densities. This has area’, this introduces other forms that may suit some residents a negative impact on the achievement better. Thus we have seen the rise of the patio, the terrace (put- of compact and sustainable city forms. ting a flat roof to productive use), and the balcony. These private People’s needs and preferences change open areas can satisfy some of the purposes for which gardens as they go through life and each locality are provided. In Britain balconies have tended to be rather mean ideally should provide a range of types affairs – too small to make apartment living acceptable for larger of open space provision. Similarly, the households. (Developers make the calculation: can the higher provision of dedicated off-street parking build cost be recouped in a higher selling price?) In the rest of spaces for every dwelling locks in the Europe and Scandinavia, however, there are new developments spaces, regardless of whether the occu- with really useful balconies, and with communal space at ground pier owns a car. For the future, housing level, thus combining high density with high amenity. An exam- design should incorporate more com- ple is the Französisches Viertel, Tübingen, in southern Germany. munal provision of both parking and open Housing can incorporate both communal and individual pri- space, which may be private or public, or vate space within the same block, allowing for social interaction semi-private. The removal of parking (to between neighbours as well as the option of secure and private remote sites or underground) also allows activities within the curtilage of the home. Crown Street in much greater flexibility in reconciling Glasgow includes perimeter block housing which encloses both high density with high amenity. communal private space and individual private gardens. This is For future housing, urban designers achieved by locating parking within the street space outside the should pay attention to the context – block. In the Arabia development, Helsinki, the communal space socio-economic and demographic charac- is semi-private (or semi-public) with a secure play area included. teristics and tenure of the likely occupiers The role of the street can be reinterpreted from highway – and aim for diversity in the allocation of to social space, provided that levels of traffic and parking are space. There is scope too for exciting and minimal, and that drivers are treated, and must behave, as innovative approaches, including borrow- guests. This was the principal idea behind the Dutch Woonerf ing from other countries. I for one would (the HomeZone being our nearest equivalent), a concept now welcome a wider choice… my garden is half a century old. Even so, there are precious few good exam- too big! ples, probably because of the unwillingness to tackle the thorny • issue of parking. The Vauban scheme in Freiburg is a well-known Tim Pharoah, independent transport and exception, where the streets become a semi-private realm planning consultant and are adopted as communal meeting and play space. This is achieved by removing parking from the street and concentrating

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 28 Topic Co-designing Senior Co-housing Melissa Fernández Arrigoitia and Kathleen Scanlon describe the collaborative process behind Featherstone Lodge

co-housing) or cater specifically for older people or particular groups, notably women. One important part of the co-housing process is that (future) residents partici- pate in the planning and design of their communities, working with architects and each other in a non-hierarchical way. The weeks and months spent discuss- ing and developing ideas may result in strikingly original designs, but also help to introduce groups to the processes of negotiation and compromise that will be required when they live as communities. Here we describe aspects of the design process of one London co-housing community still under development, and briefly discuss examples from elsewhere in the UK and abroad. Finally, we com- ment on the lessons that the collaborative 1 process of co-housing design offers for urban design more generally.

THE FEATHERSTONE STORY Featherstone Lodge, built in 1858 in the inner London suburb of Forest Hill, is one of a scattering of neo-Gothic and neo-Baroque mansions constructed on Sydenham Ridge in the early and mid- 19th century. Built as country retreats for wealthy London families, many of these houses later became institutions. Featherstone is distinctive because its large walled garden – more than an acre – remains intact. The house was used in the 1960s as a nurses’ hostel and later as a drug reha- 2 bilitation centre. When that closed, at the hat is co-housing? To live intentionally as a group. To 1 Featherstone Lodge depth of the financial crisis, the site was share resources and meals. To design collaboratively. 2 The communal offered for sale. A local couple interested W To create and maintain collective living spaces. These garden and trees in co-housing approached Hanover, are all core elements of the co-housing concept, developed and a not-for-profit retirement housing made popular since the 1970s in Denmark, the Netherlands, provider, who agreed to buy the site and Germany and the United States. The model arrived more develop one of the UK’s first senior co- recently in the UK, where there are currently around 18 com- housing communities, if the couple could munities (and about 50 in formation). recruit a group of residents. Typically Most co-housers are motivated by a desire to live as a com- co-housing groups come together first, munity that actively participates in its own creation and sustain- then look for a site; the ‘site-first’ model ability. Some communities form in a bottom-up way because followed at Featherstone is relatively rare of shared ecological or social visions (in Sweden, for example, but has clear advantages, as some estab- co-housing is viewed as an ideal environment in which to raise lished groups have searched for years or children), while others are assembled in a top-down fashion by even decades for suitable sites. housing associations or even for-profit developers. Communities In 2011 Hanover and the couple may be structured as owner-occupied, mutual home owner- hosted a well-attended open-house at the ship, rental or mixed-tenure. They can be rural or urban. They house. With a core group of interested may accommodate households of all ages (intergenerational participants in place, the design work began a few months later.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 29 shared ownership. This affected the size of dwellings, construction materials and methods, and the extent of sustainable technology to be used. Second, the developer, Hanover Housing Association, wanted to ensure that the scheme could be sold as traditional market housing if the cohousing group was to fail. Thus the designs that finally emerged were beauti- ful and suited to community living but not particularly radical.

OTHER EXPERIENCES OF CO-DESIGN At LILAC, a recently completed multi- generational cohousing community in Leeds, the collaborative design process produced a somewhat less conventional development. The group was strongly motivated by a concern for sustainability and the 20 dwellings, built with a straw- 3 4 bale construction technique (residents CO-DESIGNING 3 Working closely with themselves helped make the bricks), Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE) architects were appointed by the architects reached the highest energy-efficiency 4 Residents’ design Hanover to work with the group to design about 30 homes, some aspirations standards. They are clustered tightly in the existing house and some new-build. The site had many around a reed-filled unfenced pond, while advantages: dramatic views, a beautiful garden, an impressive a communal play area and allotments existing house. There were also constraints—the dramatic views take up a large part of the site. The LILAC went hand-in-hand with a steeply sloping site, challenging for group developed the site themselves; older people with mobility problems; the existing house, locally group members pooled their financial listed, was indeed striking externally but internally had been resources and took out a mortgage to altered and reduced to institutional anonymity; while the beauti- fund construction. Without the need to ful garden contained a number of protected trees. satisfy an external developer they could Over the course of several months, the group met many times take more risks with their design. to talk about the design. They considered the configuration of In Berlin, co-housing (known as bau- individual flats, solar aspect, kitchen layout, the provision of gruppen) is now a standard, albeit minor, washing machines. More importantly, they discussed movement element of the local housing market, through the site, and it was quickly agreed that everyone should accounting for up to 5 per cent of new enter the community through the main door of the existing dwellings constructed. Households mov- house, and that the social and communal spaces would be a ing into baugruppen consciously choose ‘common house’ and the large garden. This common house a community-oriented lifestyle, but (also known as a co-house) is one of the anchoring elements of residents haven’t always been involved in co-housing, typically a space for residents to share a kitchen and early phases of the project. There is com- dining area. Depending on the group’s budget and interests, the monly a core group of a few households, common house can be more than one space and it can incorpo- usually including an architect who may or rate facilities like craft studios, workshops, music rooms, etc. may not plan to live in the development. The Featherstone group discussed where the common house Other households are recruited later, and should be located: should there be a stand-alone structure may not have any input into the design nestled in the garden? This would obstruct the expansive green it apart from choosing the finishes of their currently offered. Should it be one corner of the existing house? own flats. This could passively exclude those living at the bottom of the sloping garden. In the end it was decided to place the co-house LESSONS just to one side of the main entrance, so that residents coming What lessons can co-housing teach us and going might see and interact with each other. This encourag- about housing design more generally? ing form of architecture, commonly practiced in co-housing Our visits to functioning co-housing design, strives to blur or at least challenge the traditional communities elsewhere in the UK and boundaries between public and the private home spaces. across Europe suggest that they can be There was also debate about what would happen in the com- intensely appealing places to live; not mon house, and the possibility was left open that it could host for nothing are they often characterised not only group-specific events like dinners or films, but also as utopian. In terms of community they activities open to neighbours and the wider community such as are the ultimate antidote to the anonym- yoga classes or children’s play groups. Various members of the ity of modern urban life. In terms of group also expressed interest in using the bottom end of the design, many incorporate cutting-edge garden for green activities like allotments, workshops or even sustainable construction techniques such raising chickens or pigs. as straw-bale construction and passive Besides the physical constraints imposed by the site itself, house standards, thus acting as test beds two other factors conditioned the group’s design possibili- for solutions that may become more ties. The first was that the final product had to be affordable. widespread. Most of the group members intended to buy their units. Some Most importantly, the process of owned London homes that they could sell, but several were not working through the design with a group home-owners and expected to draw on savings or enter into rather than with an individual client

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 30 Topic to forming group identity through an initially individual but then collectively articulated vision of what homes and community spaces should be like. This takes time and in London, where land val- ues are very high, once a site is found and purchased, time is money in a very real sense. Designing a bespoke co-housing development from scratch may work bet- ter in lower-cost areas, and indeed many of the best UK examples are found in places like Leeds, where land is relatively cheap. That doesn’t mean that co-housing has no place in high-demand cities, but rather that the process may need to be modified there. One way is standardisa- tion and the reduction or removal of the group-participation element. In Berlin, for example, there are more than 300 urban co-housing developments and a cadre of specialist professionals with experience in design and finance. There is also a critical mass of people who are 5 familiar with co-housing and want to places the focus strongly on those elements of the design that 5 The LILAC live in such communities. Many seem foster community and neighbourliness. Recent thinking about cohousing community happy to enter these communities when in Leeds, and its the social sustainability of urban spaces posits that spaces that private gardens construction is complete, rather than tak- are designed for social interaction work better for residents and ing part themselves in the design process; other users. The co-housing design process allows designers and this is perhaps a signal that the sector has end-users to spend time thinking about how best to create such matured. spaces; American architects specialising in co-housing design will typically spend a few weeks working with the group on the In Berlin, there are more design of the co-house alone. But as that example and our own research in London sug- than 300 urban co-housing gests, collaborative work can be extremely time-consuming. developments, In the case of Featherstone, from the group’s first meeting to submission of a planning application, it took nearly two-and- and a cadre of specialist a-half years, and it was more than three years before planning professionals permission was granted. While not all of this time was consumed by the design process, which indeed was completed within six months, it did last longer than on a standard development, and There are other possibilities as well. longer than the participants envisioned. Why? The reasons are Prospective urban co-housers might primarily about the novelty of the process for everyone involved. consider using existing (not necessarily For both group members and architects it was an unfamiliar residential) buildings and modifying process with many non-expert participants. The group’s them internally with the same overarch- membership kept changing, and even the core members didn’t ing goals of living as a community, social necessarily agree on what they wanted. The importance of the interaction and sustainability. Several cost and marketability constraints was not understood until late redundant office blocks in the London in the process. Finally, although the housing association was Borough of Croydon have already been working simultaneously with several co-housing groups, it did converted to residential use; why not for not systematically collect or disseminate best practice that could co-housing? In this sense, working with have reduced delays. more constraints might actually be help- Was the end result worth it, that is did it differ in important ful, as it can help focus people’s attention ways from what might have emerged from an architect’s studio on those aspects that they can shape and without input from the group? The design clearly isn’t a standard change rather than leaving everything up housing association or for-profit development: it has a co-house for grabs. More generally, if co-housing is and there are relatively few parking spaces, all on the margins of to offer a viable alternative in expensive the site, leaving the large garden more or less intact as a car-free urban areas, we need to recognise and communal space. But judging from our observation of one design address the problem of land prices and process, the group’s input was not decisive—the architects, with the general suspicion of non-mainstream a wide knowledge of co-housing in the UK and abroad, would models. very likely have included these elements in any case. At the same • time, Hanover’s insistence that the units should be saleable on Melissa Fernández Arrigoitia and Kathleen the general market ruled out unconventional resident-led design Scanlon, Assistant Professorial Research Fellows, Department of Geography and solutions (some put forward by members who were themselves Environment, London School of Economics architects). The results of collaborative design may sometimes be more measurable in social than blueprint terms. Whatever the final outcome, the collaborative design process uniquely contributes

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 31 Co-designing with an Ageing Population Stephen Hill describes new action research on ways for older people to design healthy and happy retirements for themselves

e can’t wait, so we’ll just have to do it ourselves!’ For many older people, if new housing and care ‘W solutions do not happen soon, they won’t need them anyway, but they are less likely to have lived well at the end of their lives. It doesn’t take many conversations with people of any age about how they or their relatives want to live as they get older, to uncover a pervasive sense of anxiety and impatience about what the housing market and policy are not doing. There are already seven million households headed by someone aged over 65. Up to 2033, 60 per cent of the growth in household formation will include at least one person over 65. This is not a small or self-contained market. The whole housing market will be affected by our future housing choices: downsiz- ing, staying put, house sharing, adaptations and the need to convert housing capital into care revenue will all impact on the future cost of both public and private housing.

New housing and care solutions 1 The Housing Learning and Improvement Network (HLIN) 1 Leeds: LILAC, housing markets, multi-generational and has become the most significant thought-leader in developing recent co-housing age-focussed communities. project. a balance awareness of best practice. With 7,500 members, its work is between privacy, used to inform Health and Wellbeing Boards that bring together neighbourliness, mutual Getting the programme started both local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups. support and activity We have started to identify project HLIN has examined the potential of mutual housing and opportunities, and engage with potential care solutions, which are already helping people to live longer, partners who can support the practi- healthier lives in a group setting, so that citizens are recognised cal delivery of new projects, including as agents of their own wellbeing, rather than passive recipients members of the PlaceShapers Group of of standardised services. housing associations, small specialist developers entering this market, and Creating an Action Research Programme individual practitioners. But we also want The UK Cohousing Network is a natural partner with HLIN to extend our relationships to: in developing new ideas. We are also partners in an ESRC Urban designers, surveyors and project sponsored knowledge-exchange seminar programme on Col- •managers for a national network of laborative housing and community resilience, with the LSE and professionals to support people wanting the Universities of Lancaster, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham and to design their own housing and care Sheffield (www.collaborativehousing.net). solutions; We intend to build on the strengths of our international expe- Developers and contractors interested rience of supporting intentional communities living in cohousing •in developing products and services; and projects to: Local authorities and NHS commis- develop an action research programme of live projects •sioners looking for new approaches to • demonstrate the potential of cohousing for older people housing and care. • identify more replicable ways of making cohousing projects •happen, and This action research programme will contribute to the development of new services for and by bring together partners around real •older people. people and situations to create projects We can identify and connect groups of older people or indi- through which we can bring about a viduals seeking new and better ways of living, and match them step-change in the quality of housing with agencies in a positon to offer support. and care for older people, and learn how to be more responsive to their changing Housing and care: part of the ‘sharing economy’ expectations. For many older people, the time, costs and risks of promoting For more information, contact Jo new development are too great. We will focus on retrofitting Gooding, Executive Director, UK Cohous- homes and communities to enable people to stay where they ing Network: [email protected] are, or congregate where they can benefit from neighbourly • support and shared lifestyles. We want to test the potential of Stephen Hill, Chair of the UK Cohousing new purpose-built developments, and the design of lifetime Network neighbourhoods, urban and rural situations, ‘hot’ and ‘cold’

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 32 Topic Live-Work: Understanding the Typology Jonathan Tarbatt explores how this building type evolved into contemporary examples

the invention of the purpose-built office took place in coffee houses, we seem to have come full circle in this respect. But working from home (or from your local Costa) isn’t really the same as live-work, or, as we shall see, ‘work-live’. What happened to the means of production between the days when every village had a blacksmith and now, is rather long-winded. Suffice to say it ended with most of the Smith, Baker and Fletcher families all working for someone else. Certainly there is not much call for smithies nowadays, and if you try to set up a forge in your three-bedroom semi, you are likely to receive a stern letter from your local council. Living over the shop remains a recognised typology, but it is also far less commonplace than it once was. Now however, it is most unusual for the shopkeeper to either own the shop, or to live above it. To cater for these scenarios, the coun- ter-term ‘work-live’ is gaining currency in the US, to distinguish between activities which are appropriate to predominantly 1 residential areas (as above) and those ive-work sounds straight-forward, but the term can mean 1 Red Square in which could be accommodated in employ- different things to different people. The Dictionary of Hackney an awkwardly ment or retail areas, where the emphasis Urbanism defines live-work space as ‘flexible units that shaped backland site, is on the working component rather L creating a new link accommodate both functions’, but at least in planning terms, between east and west than on living. These are areas where the there is a big difference between working from home and run- activities are considered to be less com- ning a business from home, where both employees and custom- patible with residential neighbours, and ers may come calling. more likely to involve employees and/or and walk-in customers (see for example, What’s different about live-work? www.live-work.com/plainenglish-ws/ For those with surnames such as Smith, Baker or Fletcher, a clue types/differences.html). to the significance of our live-work heritage lies in our shared ancestry. Blacksmiths, for example, once played a vital role in Planning for live-work their local communities. They worked from home, essentially, Live-work has a chequered history in but they also kept a furnace that would have blasted out acrid planning policy and guidance, culminat- smoke from dawn to dusk while beating metal into shape on the ing in the National Planning Policy back of an anvil. Most smiths would have employed their sons Framework (2012), which brought the or apprentices to help out. Other names, like Draper, Milner and concept to the fore (literally, as it appears Butcher remind us of another even more relevant form of live- in Section 1 under the heading Building work: living over the shop. a strong, competitive economy): ‘In Contrast these kinds of commercial activity with plugging drawing up Local Plans, local planning in a laptop in your spare bedroom, and you begin to understand authorities should…facilitate flexible the difference between live-work, in all its potential forms, and working practices such as the integration its innocuous cousin, home-working. Both of these historic of residential and commercial uses within live-work precedents are a form of mixed-use. The former, the same unit’. (NPPF, 2012, Para 21, pp. blacksmithing, is a form of horizontal mixed-use, because the 6-7). living accommodation, would have been next to the forge, not The status of live-work as a land use above it. The latter, living over a shop, is, in contrast, a form of is relatively unclear because it is a sui vertical mixed-use. Just as wifi technology has freed some people generis use under the Town and Country to work from home, it has also allowed them to work from their Planning Act, meaning that it falls outside local café. Ironically, since most commercial deal-making before of the recognised use class categories.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 33 But here’s the rub. Just as setting up as a blacksmith in your back garden is likely to get you into trouble, having permission to do so, and then not doing it – i.e. merely living with your shiny unused forge – could get you into an equal amount of trouble. The reason is that, while most local councils promote live-working, they guard their employment-generating uses jealously. There have been many instances where purpose-built live-work units were sold to people who only wanted to live in them, raising the question of whether the typology has been deliberately misappropriated by some developers as a means of getting around employment land use classifications to allow residential development by the back door (see, for example ‘When’s a home not a home? When it's a live/work space’, Lucy Barnard, The Guardian, 25th August 2007). Suffice to say that this has also left many local planning authorities extremely suspicious of the typology and of develop- ers’ motives. Of all the London boroughs, only Lewisham now seems to be actively supporting it. Recognising this, the Planning Portal includes a model plan- ning condition to regulate live-work units, to the effect that the business floor space should only be used for business (Class B1 to be precise, such as offices, research and development of prod- ucts and processes, light industry appropriate in a residential area), and the residential floor space may only be inhabited by an employee of that business, their widow or dependants. So, no blacksmiths, and no shops.

Advantages and disadvantages The main advantages from a land use planning and urban design perspective are similar to those held up in support of mixed 2 uses: Efficient use of land and resources; • Fewer journeys to work; • More vibrant streets and spaces; and • ‘Eyes on the street’. •One of the main challenges for regular mixed-use developments that is less pressing for live-work, is that it isn’t always neces- sary to provide a separate means of access to each use (e.g. one access for the shop, another for the flat above it). The main disadvantage, of course, is that one never quite leaves home or work. In addition: 3 • It can be seen as eroding real employment land; and • It is more expensive to build (see below). Design considerations The most important consideration is the degree to which the work function will be a good neighbour to residents. A close second is whether the living and working uses are to be accom- modated next to each other or above one another, and whether separate access is required for each use. The nature of the work function, will also bring into play technical considerations such as floor loadings and spans, fire separation, means of escape in case of fire, loading and delivery space, floor to ceiling heights, ventilation and exhaust flues and noise insulation.

Supply: the developer’s perspective 4 Notwithstanding the abuse of live-work policies by some devel- opers, the broader UK experience is that most regard any form 2 The interconnecting In order to reduce the risk of com- of mixed-use development as a risky product, and live-work spaces at Red Square mercial uses being left empty, a common are overlooked both even more so, believing it difficult to sell. On the other hand, by the units and the approach to design the local mixed-use many house builders recognise the popularity of home-working, overhead access ways centres, which can also be applied to and cater for this by including space for a study in their stand- 3 Home-/ live-working live-work typologies, is to require the ard house types, coupled with high-speed broadband. These by employment type, ground floors to be flexible, i.e. readily Office for National features combined, are sometimes seen as a positive marketing Statistics, 2014 convertible from residential to business feature in new houses for sale. 4 Growth in home- and uses, as the local economy develops. This As part of the redevelopment of Fairmile Hospital, JTP live-working over time, approach has been adopted in the design designed live-work units for Linden Homes. However three of Office for National codes for Newhall in Harlow (Studio the four live-work units were eventually converted to residential Statistics, 2014 REAL) and Chilmington Green near use, due to a lack of demand. Ashford (JTP).

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 34 Topic

5 6 Demand: the pioneering entrepreneur 5 Havelock Walk, of the street provides some interesting At first glance, developer suspicion in regard to demand for live- Forest Hill, London: lessons about what makes live-work living and working work units seems well founded. There are also unwelcome finan- 6 Infill live-work unit at schemes like this successful. cial implications: VAT on construction of the ‘work’ part may be Havelock Walk It was conceived and instigated by a differentially rated from the ‘living’ part, and live-workers may local sculptor-cum-developer . Jeff Lowe, also be liable to pay business rates on top of Council Tax (or to who saw the opportunity to make the pay a combined charge). most of what was then relatively cheap But in recent years, there has been a reaction against the so- space for his own needs. He went on to called rat-race towards global capitalism, which has manifested develop several other properties in the in a longing for all things home-made, artisanal and the like. street, and before long it had been desig- Sunday supplements bulge with accounts of such people willing nated a Conservation Area by Lewisham to jump off the corporate treadmill in order to make something Borough Council. Lowe expected a return themselves – often cheese, chocolate or cup-cakes. The ideal on his investment, but in contrast to building typology for such start-ups is live-work, or work-live. most mainstream developers, he wasn’t The Live-Work Network (liveworknet.com) showcases driven to maximize that return. As such, numerous examples of successful live-work projects. It is the street has evolved over time and it instructive that the majority of these appear to have been devel- includes a mixture of refurbished former oped by low-volume developers or housing associations, with industrial buildings and some custom- some exceptions where local planning policy was influential. build infill. The incoming residents also There are of course, many more one-off custom built, live-work superseded a variety of less neighbourly projects for individuals. businesses such as car mechanics. Their According to the Office for National Statistics’ Labour own activities are mutually supportive, Force Survey, 4.2 million people were home workers in early without generating any problematic 2014 (spending at least half their work time using their home), impacts either on one another or the representing almost 1 in 7 of those in work. Almost two-thirds of surrounding area. Some, including Lowe, home workers were self-employed, i.e. running a business from have also employed staff on the premises. home. Moreover, these figures understate the numbers because According to resident print maker they don’t track people running limited companies from home, Tessa Holmes, the street has a wonderful who are classed as employees of their company, rather than as sense of community with regular social self-employed. events. It also opens its doors to visitors on a regular basis, helping to capitalise Havelock Walk, London on the synergy generated by having so Havelock Walk is a thriving community of creative types, includ- many creative professionals concen- ing artists, printmakers, sculptors, architects and painters. trated in one place. Comprising around 12 units with two new-builds, the evolution

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 35

1 entrance hall 2 workspace 3 kitchen 4 terrace 8

setback from the street. As shown in the To plan for live-work, illustrated example by ANA Architects, however, several designers incorporated a work space in the ground floor front room, urban designers providing an effective buffer between the may need to street and living rooms. Being initiated by owner-occupiers who genuinely want develop a greater to combine their business and living understanding of accommodation, it is less likely that these sorts of initiatives will revert to purely what live-work residential use. Being plot based, they entails, in all its can also be more adaptable to change and consequently generate greater diversity forms in building form, age and design than larger purpose-built live-work schemes.

7 Custom-built town Conclusion house with ground Live-work has the potential to generate floor work space (ANA Architecten) many of the features that urban design- 8 Ground floor plan ers promote: diversity, stronger local (ANA Architecten) economies, mixed uses, lower car usage 7 and more walkable neighbourhoods. Red Square, London To plan for live-work however, urban Red Square is a much larger live-work scheme with 114 units designers may need to develop a greater developed by Ballymore. Duplexes are accessed by overhead gan- understanding of what it entails, in all its tries suspended between the buildings. This cleverly addresses forms, and how to foster it in new devel- the desire to separate pedestrian movement from heavy goods opments. This is especially true where the vehicles, while also helping to avoid the sense of social isolation clients for large-scale residentially-led sometimes associated with living and working at home. Accord- developments are mainstream developers ing to the architects, CZWG, the number of businesses also or volume house builders. In urban areas, provides enough critical mass to support the inter-provision of where the loss of employment land is a services within the working community. sensitive local issue, live-work proposals Since completion in 2001, at least 20 of the units have have acquired the reputation of a kind of obtained permission for a change of use from live-work to Trojan horse. But while there is no doubt residential use. It isn’t known how many more may be solely in that its integrity has been tarnished by residential use and subsequently become lawful without needing developers and occupiers in the past, this permission. Hackney Council initially resisted these applications says more about the demand for housing but, following policy changes, began to lose on appeal and so than it does about the value of live-work have acquiesced. as a typology, and so could be viewed as a spur to promote the concept even more Custom build house, Amsterdam vigorously, rather than as a justification Sitting between these two scales of live-work development to dispense with it. – developer led vs. local entrepreneur made good – custom Perhaps it explains why live-work building by individuals or small cooperatives offers a middle seems to be growing as an activity, but way to deliver live-work opportunities. Because these tend to less so as a building typology. It hasn’t yet be one-offs however, they tend to remain below the radar. In gone mainstream, but in a world where Tübingen Südstadt, the regeneration of a former army barracks work is increasingly viewed as ‘something was promoted for custom building on an unprecedented scale. we do’, rather than ‘somewhere we go to’, Significantly, the project was backed and coordinated by the this seems set to change, though perhaps city, which required the incorporation of mixed uses in every in more subtle ways than we imagined. building. The breakdown between mixed uses and live-work • proper isn’t known, but anecdotally, it is likely to be significant. Jonathan Tarbatt, urban designer, architect, Tübingen provided a template for other large-scale custom-build town planner, and Associate at JTP. projects elsewhere in Germany (e.g. Vauban), and subsequently the Netherlands (Ijburg and Almere). In Ijburg, for example, the municipality set out small plots (6m wide x 22m deep) and stipulated the maximum building envelope: 13m high with no

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 36 Topic

1

2 3 New Issues in Affordable Housing Design Andy von Bradsky looks at the changes reshaping affordable housing provision and design

hen I was asked to write this article about affordable 1 St Bede’s, Bedford, the local demographics will indicate the housing, I was struck by how much has changed in the providing innovative level of need for housing for young peo- last five years. It used to be the case that ‘affordable affordable housing for ple, families, older people and those with W the elderly to kick-start housing’ meant a form of subsidised housing with a reasonable town centre renewal. special needs as well as the requirements proportion of public investment as an alternative to open market Photograph by Tim for different tenures. housing. At the same time, it was more straightforward and Crocker The traditional form of affordable 2 Stretford Road, predictable for developers to provide it on sites they developed Manchester new housing had a predominance of general in a financially viable arrangement. ‘affordable rent’ needs housing for rent or shared owner- Austerity has changed all that. To make public investment go housing to generate ship for single people, couples and further, the Government introduced the concept of pegging rents income. Photograph by families, with a proportion of specialist PRP Architects of newly developed subsidised property to the open market, 3 Portobello Square, housing, that is for older people and the so housing costing 80 per cent of market rent is now deemed London tenure blind disabled. The housing typologies have affordable. This allows housing associations and other registered affordable, shared included a high ratio of family housing, providers to raise a higher proportion of investment privately, ownership and houses with gardens or duplexes, and high-value market because they can borrow more against higher rents, thereby sale family housing. flats, all designed to comply with the reducing government subsidy. In the meantime private rents and Photograph by Andy Housing and Community Agency (HCA) property costs have soared and the words ‘affordable’ and ‘hous- Spain Housing Quality Indicators to ensure a ing’ do not sit comfortably together in many areas, particularly balance of quality and sustainability. for those on low incomes and young people. This is unlikely to Housing associations continue to pro- change in the foreseeable future. vide a proportion of traditional lower rent Local authorities are responsible for identifying housing social housing at typically 60 per cent of needs in their area and setting out how this need will be met market value, but to do this they need to through an up-to-date Local Plan. Their Strategic Housing generate profit from developing more full Market Assessment will identify the amount and typology of market value homes to cross-subsidise affordable and specialist housing need in an area. For example, their social housing programme.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Topic 37 A number of traditional registered social housing providers now offer a wide spectrum of products including shared ownership, shared equity and market sale housing to help fund the social housing element. In taking this approach, housing associations are competing in the open market with traditional house builders.

New models As austerity continues and funding for social housing and affordable rent programmes is constrained, new models of low cost housing are beginning to emerge that may meet ‘afford- able’ criteria and bring new design challenges and opportuni- ties. These include: Market renting – institutional investment in social and •sub-market rental housing is a growing feature of the housing market with investors helping to fund new programmes for flats and family houses. The model is contingent on building 4 at a minimum scale of 100 units and above, of consolidation 4 Shrewsbury Street, Challenges for affordable for efficient cost and management, and a suite of standard Manchester, new extra housing care housing with designs. A number of councils are opting for this approach to community hub. CGI Ideally these new emerging innovative satisfy their housing need and retain land as part of the busi- by PRP Architects affordable housing models are inte- ness model. There is a need for more bespoke accommodation grated with market-sale housing within for young people in low-paid work or starting on the career masterplans to provide balanced mixed ladder, as an alternative to house sharing in existing property developments in urban and suburban owned by private landlords. There is a growing market for new settings. The urban design challenge for shared housing models, typically two-bedroom, four-person affordable housing is how to successfully flats which have bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms either side integrate them with other tenures in large of shared living/ kitchen. developments. Starter homes – we expect to hear far more in the months Prior to the recession, planning •ahead about this much vaunted Government proposal to build policies emphasised the importance of 200,000 homes by 2020 based on a discounted low-cost creating ‘sustainable communities’ with home ownership model. The initiative is aimed at first-time tenures either separated or integrated buyers with a defined income that establishes a cost-base for on site and designed to be tenure blind construction. It is assumed it will work on unused brownfield – with no visual distinction between and commercial sites of low value and if the Section 106 tenures. This approach comes under obligations for the site are waived. House builders will be threat in some areas where rising land encouraged to come forward with products based on quality values and viability challenges are causing and good design, providing a first test for the new design the unintended consequence of greater advisory function of the Department for Communities and tenure segregation. Local Government (DCLG). These starter homes are typically In London, tall buildings are prolif- smaller houses aimed at low-income families at affordable erating with some 260 new towers in the prices linked to purchasers’ income. But there are only a few development pipeline, 80 per cent of developers that offer new models on which the starter homes which are residential. Integrating tenures concept can be based. in towers is more challenging and inner Housing for older people – the impact of rapidly changing London sites, for example, have less •demographics on housing supply has yet to fully make its integration. Ideally the tenures should mark. The traditional subsidised sheltered housing provision be integrated into a street scene with of the 1970s and 1980s is replaced with new typologies for all multiple tenures organised by core. There tenures including affordable, shared ownership and market have been several high-profile campaigns sale. Independent living, extra-care housing and care homes over the use of ‘poor doors’ on schemes to models offer a range of alternatives for people at varying separate out entrances between private stages of ageing. The scale of provision can be from 80 homes and affordable housing tenures. However or more, with even greater numbers in retirement villages, it is often the housing associations them- which provide a wide range of choices, community provision selves which are driving the requirement and integrated healthcare provision. Providing affordable for segregation of tenures in order to keep housing for the elderly works well to help kick-start new large- their tenants’ service charges affordable. scale development, regeneration and town centre renewal with The traditional mechanism for innovative products that release much needed under-occupied delivering affordable housing has been family accommodation in the existing stock. through grant funding to registered Self-build and custom-build – the UK has the lowest pro- housing providers which either develop •portion of self-build housing as a proportion of total output in themselves or procure through Section much of Europe and the aim for politicians during the period 106 agreements. The National Planning of austerity has been to significantly increase the supply of Policy Framework requires financial self-build. We have seen some progress in delivering custom- viability to be taken into account and build housing from some niche developers, with products developers are able to negotiate the quan- tailored to low incomes. The register of those interested in tum of affordable housing that is provided self-build has greatly increased but as yet councils have not on their sites. The use of viability testing been as pro-active in making land available to satisfy this has become contentious owing to lack demand. We expect the Government to be announcing new of transparency and the sense that local planning rules covering this shortly. stakeholders in the planning process,

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 38 Topic Urban Design Challenges From an urban design perspective, the new paradigm for affordable housing offers new challenges and opportunities. The key issues include: 1. Tenure mix – the range of tenure options is increasingly complex, with buy-to-let, build-to-rent, private renting as well as social housing. Tenures should be integrated with no visual distinction between rent and market sale, and be flexible for future changes. 2. Flexibility – use of the Nationally defined Space Standard for new homes will ensure flexibility of tenures over their lifetime. Local authorities should default to the NdSS as a baseline requirement but not rule out innovative products if a case can be made. 3. Innovation – new sub-market private rented accommodation, shared equity and discounted home ownership will emerge as a form of affordable housing to supplement social housing provision. They should be well integrated into local 5 communities and close to transport and particularly the local community, are being disenfranchised as a 5 Oval Quarter, facilities. result of planning decisions to lower the affordable housing level Lambeth, London, 4. Changing demographics – how to affordable and private on schemes. Increasingly we are finding the provision reduced sale integrated to integrate affordable housing for older through viability testing and commuted sums agreed to provide deliver regeneration, people at higher densities with general housing on sites elsewhere. The net effect is a gradual reduction Photography by PRP housing in central, town centre and in the supply of affordable housing through Section 106 agree- Architects suburban sites combined with health, ments which is not compensated for by an increase in funded community and adult services. programmes. 5. Lifetime neighbourhoods – a balance On the positive side, a number of local authorities are taking of tenures is required to create a mixed a more pro-active role in the development of sites that they own neighbourhood with integration of ten- rather than divesting their land assets to developers, and provide ures preferred to segregation, and a range a range of tenures including affordable, shared ownership and of products that enable residents to move social housing provision. Local authorities are also imposing to appropriate accommodation close to conditions on land for other developers to provide housing types family and friends. that suit their specific needs rather than a market-led approach for maximum value. New affordable housing does not need Recent changes to regulations and standards following to replicate the typical social housing the Housing Standards Review have created the opportunity model of the past – distinctive and easily for greater flexibility between tenures, with a new Nationally recognisable developments for the poor defined Space Standard (NdSS) and national technical standards on the edge of or separated from private bedded in Building Regulations for cross-tenure application that development. In PRP’s Wolfson Garden supersedes the HCA’s Design and Quality Standards and HQIs. Cities submission with Shelter, our virtual The interchangeability of housing stock between tenures will new town, Stoke Harbour, offered an occur throughout its lifetime; for example, a private purchaser opportunity to create an ideal scenario. may rent their property as a buy-to-let, and there is benefit over We provided a rich mix of new typologies the long term for all housing to meet similar standards. and products for young renters, shared It will be interesting to see how many local authorities opt owners, families, self-builders, active into the new space standard. The changing demographics also elderly and older infirm in a mix of support the need for more space in the home, with inclusive houses and flats at higher densities than design standards necessary for greater accessibility for the traditional suburban development (see physically impaired. Lifetime neighbourhoods, where there is a issue UD134 p26-28). mix of household types that offer opportunities for residents to The new paradigm for affordable move to more appropriate homes close to friends, neighbours housing offers a rich and diverse mix of and families, is an aspiration. Some argue that the space stand- housing for more specific needs that is ard is a constraint on innovation and flexibility is required in the blended into the townscape. The chal- planning system to introduce new affordable products. lenge will be to provide truly affordable Other challenges for the affordable housing sector will arise housing that is within the reach of those as a consequence of the new government policy for Right-to-Buy that need it, not housing for the poor for housing association tenants and the selling of high-value clustered in low-value areas in isolated council homes to pay for the re-provision. It is too early to assess locations. the likely impact of the policy but it may well have a profound • impact on the distribution of social housing in urban and subur- Andy von Bradsky, Chairman, PRP Architects ban areas.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlistTop 2016ic 39 Recognising Excellence through the National Urban Design Awards Noha Nasser, the Chair of the UDG’s Awards group, introduces this year’s first shortlisted entries

the submissions. This stage is often a lively debate of to-ing and fro-ing to decide which entries fulfil the criteria and where there may be the need to request further infor- mation or clarifications before agreeing a shortlist. Once the shortlisted entries for the Practice and Public Sector Awards have been chosen by the judging panel they are posted on the UDG’s website for UDG members to vote for their winner. This open and demo- cratic voting process is unique to the UDG and something that we are proud of. The De- veloper and Student Awards are determined by the judging panel. The Book award, by its nature, is handled differently with leading publishers invited to put forward at least two books each. Eight shortlisted books are read by a group of committed urban design practitioners and academics before reaching a final decision Since their foundation in 2007 the UDG’s Francis Tibbalds and Chair of the Trust, on the winning book. National Urban Design Awards have received presents prizes to the winners each year. The Lifetime Achievement award re- over 400 submissions for its six Award cat- mains top secret until the very last minute egories, highlighting some of the outstand- The Criteria when the UDG Trustees select a key person ing and innovative urban design work being To attract high quality submissions, the of influence who has made an impact on the undertaken throughout the UK and beyond, Awards Committee focuses on developing industry and a contribution to furthering ur- from finished schemes to design guidance judging criteria that satisfy two main objec- ban design thinking and practice. This year, and publishing. Initially set up under the tives. The first objective is that submissions the UDG Lifetime Achievement Award rightly guidance of their founder John Billingham, have to be of high urban design merit, went to Sir Terry Farrell. the National Urban Design Awards stand clearly demonstrating great aspirations and apart in their commitment to urban design leadership, and following a rigorous process The Annual Awards Ceremony in the real world, with all the finalists being from identifying urban design objectives, The culmination of all of these deliberations chosen by professionals working actively in undertaking a context-specific site analysis, comes on the night of the annual Awards urban design. The Awards Ceremony in the and the conceptual development of the ceremony held in the spring. This year 150 spring has gone from strength to strength, design through to delivery of the project. UDG members and guests gathered together becoming a major highlight of the urban The Awards Committee places particular in central London to recognise best practice design calendar. emphasis on the reflective design process at the forefront of the industry. David Rudlin The Awards are run by a small commit- with criteria that highlight the contribution delivered the keynote speech challenging tee of Convenors who are responsible for to urban design practice and the lessons urban design to break out of its ordinariness setting the criteria and submission guide- learned. and complacency. Short films for each entry lines for the six award categories: The second objective is how success- were screened amidst live jazz singing and Practice Project award fully communicated the entry is. Shortlisted dinner, adding to the atmosphere. Every year • Public Sector award entries are published in this journal, (see we are grateful to sponsors whose contri- • Student award the following pages); therefore the clar- butions make the UDG Awards Ceremony • Developer award ity of writing style and the quality of images special. • Book award and become important differentiators in the Come along and join us for next year’s • Lifetime Achievement award. shortlisting process. UDG National Urban Design Awards on 9th • March 2016 at the Victory Services Club, A close partnership has been created from The Process London to celebrate the best of the UK’s local inception with the Francis Tibbalds Trust Once entries are initially submitted, a judg- authorities, consultants, students and de- funding prizes for the £600 Student Award ing panel comprising one of the two editors velopers involved in the design of our towns, and the £1000 Practice Project Award. The of Urban Design’s in the chair, an academic, cities, streets, spaces and neighbourhoods. Trust aims to promote excellence and good the previous year’s Practice award winner, The following pages present the first of this practice in urban design by awarding prizes, the previous year’s Public Sector award year’s shortlisted entries – for the Practice offering sponsorship and other similar winner, a UDG patron, the Awards Commit- Project Award. Please retain this issue of the activities. Janet Tibbalds, widow of the late tee Chair and Convenors, meet to shortlist journal and remember to vote! • Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 40 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016

Lowestoft: Brooke Peninsula & Jeld Wen Assael describe their masterplan for a sustainable urban waterfront

1 2 Supported by a multi-disciplinary profes- armature connects the Peninsula to the east connecting streets and areas sensitive to sional team, Assael worked closely with to Lowestoft town centre, to the west to Oul- intervention, generated six character areas: landowners and Waveney District Council ton Broad, and to the north via a new bridge Brooke Peninsula, East Quay, West Quay, during the evolution of the Lowestoft Lake link. Central Area, County Wildlife Site and West Lothing and Outer Harbour Area Action Plan Components include a new linear water- Side Neighbourhood. By balancing a mix of (AAP). Through rigorous survey and analysis, front park, habitat creation in the slipways tenures, a sustainable community of 900 Assael’s illustrative masterplan and design with associated active frontages including dwellings is encouraged. coding added detail to this plan and aimed a yacht club, central square and primary Higher densities in the form of land- to promote change. school, cafes, shops, work spaces and a mark apartment buildings are promoted to wildlife visitor centre. the northernmost part of the Peninsula with CONTEXT Sensitive interventions to the County lower densities allocated to the rural edges The Peninsula, a former shipbuilding yard Wildlife Site and existing ecology will ‘touch south of the development, providing an in- from the early 20th century, is located on the ground lightly’ with raised paths and terface between the County Wildlife Site and the shore of Lake Lothing to the east of flood-proof housing for free movement of existing residential areas. Lowestoft town centre in Suffolk.S ince trad- wildlife and water. ing ceased in 1992, the Peninsula has been EASE OF MOVEMENT poorly maintained, under-utilised and has URBAN DESIGN OBJECTIVES The movement network focuses on providing lost its strong connection with the sea. The These draw on the findings of a rigorous con- local facilities, such as shops and play areas, 18-hectare site therefore offers an exciting textual analysis undertaken as part of the accessible on foot or by public transport, opportunity to revive the Outer Harbour design and consultation process. Ecological creating a walkable network of streets, foot- Area and reinstate the historic relationship surveys mapped the protected species found paths and cycleways. with water. within just 1km of the site and, in contrast, The introduction of a new entrance a large proportion of the site is hardstand- and main avenue creates a sense of arrival, CONCEPT ing, warehouses, docks with boat moorings culminating in a central square. The site is The rigid structure of the shipyard is con- and disused infrastructure. Celebrating orientated around this space and serves as a trasted against the nature of the County this contrast in the character of new forms community hub and meeting place with as- Wildlife Site. Assael’s concept embraces of development and their connectivity and sociated school, community centre, cafes, and merges these two existing elements associated public realm were the primary play parks and bus service to spark activity. and seeks to encourage biodiversity into the urban design objectives. A number of linkages then connect to other old shipping yard through the instigation of character areas and the whole district is a strong framework of parks, gardens and CHARACTER, DENSITY & BUILT FORM opened to the rest of Lowestoft via a new cy- trees while promoting sensitive access to the Promoting different places to live, from cle and pedestrian bridge over Lake Lothing. County Wildlife Site. apartments and town houses along the main The creation of a new waterfront avenue and gateways to family houses in

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016 41

1 Aerial view of the 5 Higher density apartment proposed masterplan buildings promoted to the for a sustainable urban most northern part of the waterfront Peninsula 2 Existing and proposed 6 Flood-proof housing figure ground maps and raised paths ‘touch 3 The proposed the ground lightly’ for free urban armature of the movement of wildlife and masterplan water into the County 4 Lowestoft context Wildlife Site

4

3 5 PUBLIC REALM DELIVERY PROCESS and design code, was seen as ‘minded to A range of site-wide strategies to comple- The Area Action Plan set the vision and approve’ last year with consent due in July ment the six character areas define the Assael’s masterplan establishes detailed 2015. public realm of streets, footpaths and open site-wide strategies, the components that spaces. Hierarchy was key to distinguish underpin it, the built form, land uses and LESSONS LEARNED the various types of street enabling people the key development structuring elements, The challenge was how to open up this for- to identify with a main avenue, or central including the main street hierarchy and open merly fragmented, inaccessible location to square. In contrast, open and more remote space network to illustrate how to achieve its environs in a sensitive way that enhances spaces incorporate a series of hides for this vision. This includes a phased imple- nature and provides a sustainable urban visitors to observe wildlife in their natural mentation plan of 30-40 dwellings in each neighbourhood in a flood-prone area. environment. phase with associated infrastructure. The approach of meticulous survey and The landscape strategy divides the site This was backed up with a design code analysis of the physical and natural features into four keys zones, whilst the biodiversity that set out the guidance to detailed ele- of the context demonstrates that the very strategy aims to add value to these zones. ments of the design. Some are site-wide and constraints, which at first seemed to blight A sustainable urban drainage strategy cel- some are specific to areas of the site, such development, can be used to promote new ebrates the rain water cycle and the lighting as the four different street types: the Main places to live, work and visit, which rein- strategy aims to ensure the public realm is Avenue, the Residential Street, Home Zone force the distinctive character of the place, safe and welcoming with glare reduction Street and Park Edge, defined by cross sec- improve connectivity and enhance our un- and creative lighting elements. Finally, a tions and specifications. derstanding and respect of nature. landscape strategy promotes structured and The AAP was adopted in 2012 and the • unstructured play opportunities for all. masterplan, with its site-wide strategies

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Eiland Veur Lent, Nijmegen, Netherlands Baca Architects rework the Dutch landscape to cope with flooding

DELIVERING THE SOLUTION To cope with the increased water flows the government agreed a €365 million plan to relocate part of the 500-year-old dyke and to create a 3 km flood-relief channel. This enabled the land behind the new dyke to be safely developed. Major logistic challenges included the relocation of 50 families in the route of the channel, as well as constructing a new bridge into Nijmegen and extending the Waalbrug, clearly not A Bridge Too Far. The Dutch authorities established a public private partnership between Nijmegen Mu- 1 2 nicipality and GEM Waalsprong responsible Approximately 60 per cent of the Dutch pop- Rijkswaterstaat identified that the wa- for developing the design and deliver- ulation lives behind dykes. With the risk of ter discharge (river flow) on the Rhine could ing the project, respectively. The work has flooding set to increase as a result of climate increase from 16,000 m3/s to 18,000 m3/s been tendered in a series of packages, change, many new and pioneering solu- with climate change. This would increase including engineering, bridge design and tions are being considered and developed to water levels by 0.3 m along significant parts masterplanning. deal with this increasing problem. One such of the river system, enough to potentially Following completion of the flood relief solution for a major new flood relief channel overtop the dykes and flood hundreds of channel a 3-hectare site will be released for between Nijmegen and Lent in the Nether- thousands of homes. development. This is to be led by the pri- lands began construction in 2013. The holistic project includes a major vate partner to deliver the new housing and dyke relocation and new 1km-long flood re- landmark building. The local municipality ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES lief channel, intended to reduce flood-risk will take forward the surrounding landscape Following the need to evacuate a quarter and support urban growth in Lent, reducing plans. Specialists in waterfront and water of a million residents in 1995, the Dutch housing demand in Nijmegen and Arnhem. architecture, Baca Architects, were invited approach shifted from defensive strategies The project is the largest of 40 projects to draw up plans for the ‘island’, shown in to acknowledging that space for water was to reduce flood-risk through the Dutch na- the illustrations. The idea of the Retreat is needed. Room for the River is a major gov- tional Room for the River programme. It also to combine water recreation, river ecology, ernment design plan that aims to address involves the creation of three new bridges flood-resilient development and sustainable flood protection and improve environmental over the three years of construction and infrastructure to create a self-sufficient eco- conditions in the areas surrounding Hol- redevelopment of the island created by the leisure destination. land’s rivers. new water channel.

3 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016 43

1–2 Aerial photos before showing the route of the flood relief channel and during construction showing water in the new 4 Landmark buildings channel 5 Landmark tower 3 Masterplan with river 6 Flood-resilient rooms, plus topographic cluster homes mapping showing the 7 Land and change in land profile waterscape showing during low to high the flood channel water and during flood during low and high conditions. waters

4 5–6 EILAND VEUR LENT wetlands and the historic fort to be revealed LESSONS LEARNED The land between the river and the flood- during summer months. This major engineering project has been relief channel will change from a peninsula The lost Fort Knodsenburg is brought the catalyst to provide new homes, trans- in the summer, when the water level is low, back to life by a public square and activ- port improvements and landscaping, to to an island in the winter when the water ity centre, raised from the historic site, and the benefit of the city, wider region and the level rises 5m. covered with a living roof and 3000 sqm so- local environment. Through considering the To the north of the main river, low-lying lar PV canopy. potential wider benefits from the outset of land is to be excavated to make room for The new dyke to the north of the relief the project, the engineering solution has seasonal flooding, creating a new protected channel will incorporate a new foot and cy- been adapted to provide a more integrated water arena and series of outdoor ‘water cle path along the water’s edge and linking solution, rather than a solely cost-driven so- rooms’. Landscape characteristics will in- districts of the new development in Lent. A lution. This shows that managing increased clude river dunes, embankments, dykes, wetland area behind the dyke will be created flood risk can simultaneously help to reduce riparian habitat and marginal river stands. to the east, within which floating homes are pressure for development and provide envi- The new development comprises a 70m planned. The banks of the channel will slope ronmental benefits. zero-carbon landmark tower to the east, gradually into the water to create an urban This project has the potential to discon- overlooking the waters, and a series of 100 beachfront overlooking water sports and ac- nect the houses remaining on the peninsula innovative flood-resilient homes / holiday tivities. The west of the peninsula is reserved from their existing community. Instead, lets, plus a floating quay. The two towers as parkland for recreation, nature and sea- through sensitive development and place- represent the River Waal and the smaller sonal flooding. making, new and old should complement flood relief channel. and enhance this unique riverine location. Shallow riverbanks create a more natu- INNOVATION The existing residents will occupy part of an ral relationship with the water and allow The scheme is designed to respect the herit- exclusive island location while the residents specific areas such as the Roman remains, age of the area, whilst pioneering new meth- to the north of the channel become part of ods of flood-mitigation in an environmentally an expanded Lent village with a whole new sensitive way. waterfront. The development on the island has been Once completed, Eiland Veur Lent is planned with self-sufficiency in mind, incor- designed to be an exemplar, integrated porating solar PVs, heat exchange, rainwater solution and showcase for international harvesting and reed beds. architectural and technical innovation. The dynamic exchange of land and wa- • ter is celebrated and enhanced through a landscape that touches and engages with the water’s edge and flood resilient buildings that can showcase modern methods to cope with flooding. 7 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 44 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016

Aylesbury Estate Regeneration

East Street A new masterplan by HTA Design LLP unpicks the modernist estate to promote healthy living East Street

East Street

THE RISE AND FALL OF ESTATES The London Borough of Southwark was until the 1960s based on the ordering principlesSurrey Square Aylesbury Portland Street of the urban street. In the years after the Surrey Square Square Second World War, the combination of low East Street Aylesbury Thurlow Street Portland Street housing stock, a booming population and in- Surrey Square Square Aylesbury tense political pressure led to Local Authori- Portland Street Square ties experimentingThurlow Street with utopian modernist ideals. New system built blocks enabled very Thurlow Street

rapid construction and allowed housing to Surrey Square be delivered in large volumes. The Ayles- Aylesbury Portland Street Square bury EstateSchool was one of the most ambitious projects in the country at the time. However, Thurlow Street Park Edge doubts about design and construction began School to emerge before the buildings were even Park Edge School complete. This new utopia, with ‘streets Parkin Edgethe sky’ replacing the traditional street, School led to social problems through the loss of Park Edge surveillance,Community lack Spine of familiarity and reduced encounters with neighbours.Park Edge Streets provide Burgess Park the opportunity of interaction between Community Spine Community Spine Park Edgeneighbours and theBurgess rest of the city.Park By Park Edge Burgess Park Community Spine contrast, post-war housing estates like the Park Edge Burgess Park Park EdgeAylesbury estate stand out from their sur- roundings . Park Edge By 2010, Southwark had produced an Park Edge Area Action Plan and in 2012 sought a de- Park Edge velopment partner to help rejuvenate the Albany Road Albany Road ailing estate. During the 18 month bidding process, HTA, in architectural collaboration Albany Road with Hawkins/Brown and Mae, worked with 1 Major roads Park Edge Open spaces Pedestrian spine Aylesbury Square Burgess Park green links Albany Road Notting Hill Housing Group, Barratt Homes, Aylesbury Square links Southwark Council and local stakeholder group Creation Trust on a vision to redevelop the Aylesbury Estate. This was a rare oppor- tunity to revitalise a part of London and to knit it seamlessly back into the surrounding city. We envisaged a place in which families would choose to bring up their children: on safe streets and in well maintained parks, close to good schools and excellent job op- portunities, right in the heart of London. We plan on delivering this transformation by replacing the 2,750 relatively low-den- sity homes with 3,500 new ones. All social housing will be replaced and the number of houses and homes with front doors at street level will be significantly increased without 2 losing open space. the surrounding urban grain, the new street points of the diverse neighbourhoods and pattern will be more appealing to the cyclist each open space has its own identity and CREATING GREAT STREETS and pedestrian. By reversing the ethos of the purpose. The character of each space is car- Our plan for the Aylesbury removes the estate from one of separated modes to a pe- ried through in the approach to landscape, physical and psychological barriers that sig- destrian/cyclist focus, a healthier lifestyle is planting, play and the amenity provision as nal the edges of the existing estate through encouraged. The streets have been designed well as the varied character of the buildings a proposed street network that provides to draw Burgess Park into the masterplan, that enclose each space. The Community safer, more attractive and convenient access promoting the use of leisure and recreational Spine is a strategic East-West link between to the new homes. By continuing the subtle facilities on the estate’s doorstep. Distinctive Walworth Road and Old Kent Road which deflections and offsets that characterise new squares and pocket parks form the focal houses a number of community facilities

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016 45

1 Illustrative masterplan and strategy diagram 2 Figure ground maps of the existing estate and proposed masterplan 3 Visualisation of Westmoreland Park 4 Visualisation of the new residential scaled streets 5 Aerial sketch of the Aylesbury masterplan

3

4 5 linked through open spaces promoting a across the mansion blocks are staggered and workshops, tours, pop up events, exhibi- healthier walking lifestyle. Generous cycle stepped from four to eight storeys in order tions, and brought valuable insight and storage, pedestrian only streets and a view to avoid making the blocks’ appearance feedback which, along with regular presen- of green space from every habitable room overbearing on the streetscape. Compared tations to the Southwark planning team and contribute to the healthy living concept. By to the existing provision the masterplan Design Review Panel, helped to shape both ensuring these spaces form links with each includes a greater choice of dwellings rang- the masterplan and first phase. Whilst we other, a robust green network has been ing from one bedroom apartments to five experienced strong resident support for the established across the area making it easy to bedroom family homes with gardens and ter- proposals, some groups have become more meander and explore the outdoors. races. Maisonettes on the ground floor help active in protest against regeneration, even to significantly increase the number of front where there is a commitment to replace lost HOMES FOR ALL doors and contribute to the liveliness of the social housing. Following the approval of the To accommodate the shift in density across streetscape. masterplan, a group opposed to the demoli- the site a robust urban design strategy was tion of Aylesbury, shifted their attentions conceived. Traditional back-to-back ter- LESSONS LEARNED from the Council and developer towards raced housing has been used in the lower A number of elements proved crucial to the HTA and the design team, using social media density neighbourhoods which are situated success of the project. Firstly, being a multi- and physical protests at our office and at adjacent to existing low-rise housing stock, disciplinary practice enabled the master- an awards ceremony. The stated aim was such as the Walworth Conservation Area. plan to be conceived holistically through a to discourage architects from engaging in A combination of higher density typolo- collaboration of architects, urban design- regeneration, but despite aggressive verbal gies, such as mansion blocks and towers ers, landscape architects and sustainability attacks, we continue to believe in the benefit arranged in perimeter block form, have been consultants from the same office, in a col- of continuous open and honest local engage- used along the primary routes of Thurlow laborative process of continuous review and ment to ensure the delivery of mixed com- Street and Albany Road where the additional coordination through iterative design loops. munities with better quality social housing, height is counterbalanced by the width of Secondly, as a masterplan of this scale will with the passion developed over 30 years of the streets. The towers, with one excep- have a significant impact on residents of the involvement in community led regeneration. tion at the new neighbourhood square, are estate, local businesses and a wider commu- We passionately believe that the Aylesbury contained along the Park Edge adjacent nity far beyond the confines of the devel- masterplan will transform the area by to Burgess Park, thus avoiding overbear- opment boundary, an open and thorough creating overlooked, attractive and safe ing existing properties, maximising views process of consultation was vital to both streets which will connect vibrant places across the park and increasing legibility and inform the design and underpin support for and beautiful buildings, restoring civic pride, orientation across the wider area. The height the redevelopment. A programme of events encouraging a healthy lifestyle and provid- of the towers increases towards the three involving the entire project team, continued ing homes that are enduringly popular in a main gateways on Albany Road. Heights a process started with the AAAP, included central London location. • Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 46 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016

Barnsley Town Centre IBI Group reports on what to do when your development partner pulls out of a flagship scheme

This was the dilemma facing Barnsley Coun- cil at the end of 2013 when years of plan- Alhambra Shopping Centre ning the redevelopment of the town centre Retail Shed Markets Area came to an abrupt halt. The council now needed a fundamen- tal rethink but they were determined that something had to happen and quickly if Multi-Storey confidence in the town centre was not to Car Park Market Building evaporate completely. IBI Group recommended a step-by-step process to regroup and refocus the council’s resources and work with local people includ- Council Offices ing retailers and market traders. A Town Centre Prospectus was our first step – a new TEC vision as a public statement of the council’s Building

intentions. The resulting Prospectus is more e x isting than a PR document: the Prospectus shows how real improvements can be achieved, early wins delivered and potential investors Link to Lambra Road Alhambra Shopping Centre and tenants reengaged. New A fresh approach Shopping New Street Conventional wisdom would suggested that Footbridge a partnership with a lead developer was Refurbished essential to deliver such an ambition but New Entrance to Market Market with their fingers freshly burnt, the council Building were receptive to another way –incremental change facilitated by the public sector. The council had four key assets: £41million of capital funds that had New Town Square New Library •been earmarked for the failed development

scheme opo se d

Ownership of the land p r • The energy and drive of members and •officers, headed by the Leader of the council 1 who was prepared to personally champion structures through partial demolition and was level with the historic Cheapside. Engi- the new project part refurbishment yet still radically recon- neers confirmed that the car park structure Barnsley’s markets differentiate the retail figure the urban structure; could be dismantled to reveal our street •offer and draw shoppers from across the We could clear space for new public level as a platform for new retail and leisure region. •realm including a new place to express superstructures. As the prevailing land Barnsley’s civic identity; and slopes down to the railway line, this deck ex- Understanding the Place The markets could be made visible again, tends over a substantial service undercroft Historical plans show that the original •to animate the town centre with their colour which can be reused. market prospered at the confluence of and diversity. The Cheapside deck became our new radial routes from outlying neighbourhoods. street level, linking back to Lambra Road Post-war changes brought the Metropolitan Deconstructing the and reconnecting with surrounding commu- Centre – a brute concrete megastructure Megastructure nities to the south and east that had been with its service ramps and multi-storey car Received wisdom instructs that post-war cut off from the town centre for decades. park along with an elevated ring road: the megastructures with their complex levels New connectivity also includes improved town centre was cut off from surrounding and service arrangements cannot change routes from the station, the Victorian arcade communities and the market relegating incrementally in the way that traditional and via a new footbridge from car parking behind shops. streets can. But the challenge at Barnsley relocated alongside the ring road. We undertook technical studies of move- was to unpick this complex of market build- These routes converge on the centre- ment, buildings and infrastructure showing ing, shops, council offices and multi-storey piece of the plan – a new town square on the that: car park to allow exactly that sort of incre- site of the cleared council offices. For the Footfall and connectivity could be re- mental change and create open air thor- first time, the town centre will have a place •stored by reopening lost routes; oughfares. The solution was to rediscover a for outdoor events but the square also al- • We could cut and carve the existing street datum where the Metropolitan Centre lows a visible entrance to the indoor market, Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016 47

1 Metropolitan Centre (view from north) showing demolition (pink), refurbished Market Hall (yellow), and potential new buildings (blue) 2 Market Area Masterplan: creating individual sites for incremental change 3 Proposed Pedestrian Bridge linking directly to new Town Square 4 New shopping street restoring link to Lambra Road

Mandela Barnsley Gardens Interchange Station

Arcade

Eldon Street New Town Square New Library

Peel New Pedestrian Bridge Service Access 3 Square Market Hall New Extension Car New Shopping Street Park

Metropolitan Centre Refurbished Cheapside

Service New Access Car Park

Reopened link to Lambra Road Market Hall Extension Alhambra Centre

Refurbished Metropolitan Centre

Other uses - see table

Pedestrian Routes

Vehicle Access

2 4 and a permeable interface with outdoor The council are now working with pro- 4. Ugly and unloved buildings may still be market stalls. spective developers and tenants to secure worth retaining to maintain trading activity, interest in the development plots the plan reutilise embodied resources and phase Now and later creates. Meanwhile, engineering studies investment. Budgetary constraints meant that our ap- have been undertaken and demolition con- 5. Plans take time to implement and usually proach had to be based on what we could do tracts tendered. IBI has been commissioned end up different to predictions. Allow for today and what could be left for the future. to design the Metropolitan Centre refurbish- the unforeseen and create conditions for The council’s money could pay for demoli- ment, the town square and the new library. continual change. Don’t get too fixated on tion, public realm, refurbishing/extend- the end-state. ing the market building and a new library, LESSONS LEARNED 6. Bricks and mortar are only half of the leaving a range of other sites to be brought Many town centres face similar challenges equation. Places need to be considered as forward by the private sector on a site-by- and could benefit from Barnsley’s approach: both hardware and software with manage- site basis. The programme for these sites 1. an all or nothing approach to redevel- ment and social programmes dovetailed is therefore deliberately open-ended and opment is vulnerable to changing market into physical regeneration. A guiding theme can include retail, commercial, leisure or pressures. Unlocking the potential for is making an Intelligent Barnsley: bringing residential uses but sufficiently well grouped incremental change requires breaking down together the physical place and the virtual to allow uses to be clustered: a subsequent megastructures to create a finer grain for place, starting with a next-generation library proposal for a multiplex cinema and as- diversity and change. as a digital hub. sociated cafes/ restaurants has now been 2. New development approaches can reflect 7. Big and small steps. Ambitious plans accommodated. the changing role of the public sector as can be complemented by simple gestures: In any event, empty sites and blank facilitator through leadership, policy and Barnsley council provided shopkeepers with hoardings are to be avoided so early wins targeted investment. folding chairs for shoppers to sit outside include ‘pop-up’ and meanwhile uses includ- 3. a Big Architecture problem with its while public realm works replace the street ing ‘trees on wheels’ plant nursery, decant complex, three-dimensional relationships benches. space for market traders and temporary car demands an integrated collaboration across • parking. professions.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 48 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016

Winstanley & York Road Estates Regeneration Levitt Bernstein reintroduce perimeter blocks to this London estate

Making the key Clapham Junction linkages... Towards Station piazza town centre Improve public realm within Winstanley Estate

Pocket park Winstanley Road

Plough Road

Falcon Road

Local activity hub

Kambala Estate York Retained Gardens Towards Thames towers Pathway

York Road

Leisure centre, library and community facilities Towards Battersea 1 Levitt Bernstein was appointed to develop cent support for demolition and rebuilding strategic planning policy and guidelines. a long term Spatial Strategy for one of the of the majority of the estate. This summarises the vision for the future most challenging estates in west London. The public realm will be transformed of Winstanley and York Road Estates: The Winstanley and York Road Estates with pedestrian and cyclist friendly streets. A safe and welcoming neighbourhood that are located in the London Borough of New links to York Road, Clapham Junction •connects with its surroundings, making the Wandsworth, just north of Clapham Junction Station, a reconfigured York Gardens and a most of its direct links to Clapham Junction Station and the town centre. The estates sequence of open spaces are located within Station and the Thames. were the source of the London riots in this easy access of all residents. Access to the A variety of housing and public spaces part of London in 2011 and the area ef- community facilities and green infrastruc- •that are safe and attractive to a mixed fectively acts as a barrier between Clapham ture are emphasised, as well as promoting community. Junction and the River Thames because of walkability, access to public transport and Improved public spaces will enhance the the lack of legible and safe routes. creating cycling links within the area and be- •existing environment and create an invit- The plans are intended to transform the yond. Shared surface streets are envisaged ing, safe and healthy place for children and neighbourhood into an attractive, green as play spaces for children as well as provid- families. and fully integrated part of Wandsworth. ing a framework for the emerging strategy. A A new network of safe and attractive The proposals are based upon a perimeter rich range of housing typologies and tenures •routes through the area for pedestrians and block strategy, with the new housing rec- will ensure a mixed community. cyclists. reating traditional London streets, linking The long term vision includes improve- Local residents to be given the opportuni- into the surrounding context and enhancing ments not just to the physical environment •ty to take charge and manage areas of public permeability. but carefully considers the delivery of com- space themselves. There is extreme political sensitivity to mercial and community services, creation of Constant activity and opportunities the issue of gentrification in the area given jobs, education and training opportunities •for social interaction occur on a regular the history of the riots and therefore the for local people. basis through carefully considered design masterplan was developed following exten- proposals. sive consultation with existing residents, URBAN DESIGN OBJECTIVES The station area and other local hubs to many of whom will be rehoused in the new The proposed regeneration period of 10- •promote Falcon Road as the primary area scheme. The consultation process involved 15 years was developed from the spatial for shopping and leisure, creating a mixed showing the residents different levels of de- analysis of the two estates and their wider use environment with opportunities for local velopment and refurbishment with 70 per context, together with a holistic view of employment.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 francis Tibbalds awards practice shortlist 2016 49

1 Aerial view of the emerging masterplan 2 Existing figure-ground 3 Proposed figure-ground 4 Typical urban block showing range of typologies and tenures around a shared courtyard.

The proposed urban grain varies in re- uses – with taller blocks creating a sense of It is important to recognise that the sponse to orientation, scale and massing. destination at the station. strategy needs to be robust, yet flexible The framework creates a friendlier, more enough to take in the constantly changing intimate scale to streets. Perimeter block DELIVERY PROCESS market, client and political needs. This will typologies ranging from 4-8 storeys help to New homes will be provided for all af- then establish an overall spatial strategy create a well-defined and enclosed network fected council tenants and resident owners, that will continue to evolve as individual ele- of streets and spaces. This is a high density together with an increased range of tenures ments and the development programme are neighbourhood, but it isn’t high rise. and mix of homes to meet the housing needs considered further. The framework envisages 1677 homes of the Borough. Existing community facilities within the new neighbourhood ranging from are relocated into more appropriate accom- CONTRIBUTION TO URBAN DESIGN densities of around 180-560 u/ha, an overall modation, a new leisure centre allowed for, PRACTICE increase of 195per cent over the existing 858 with additional non-residential development The scheme successfully negotiates a homes. Much of our early work was based that could include retail, catering, hotel use, comfortable mid-point for an aspiration for on a study of typologies, using examples training use and other employment uses. a dense quality neighbourhood. It achieves from the UK and Europe to illustrate how in- Detailed cost proposals have deter- this, not so much through the masterplan, novative high density solutions could help to mined the scheme to be financially viable but rather through a carefully negotiated set create lively streetscapes. and provide a basis for further detailed dis- of parameters and a pragmatic approach to The Station Precinct and York Road cussion between the council, residents, and the development process. The aim is to build development provide for wide podium foot- stakeholders – to enable the comprehensive momentum within the early phases which prints to accommodate the non-residential regeneration of the area to proceed. does not scare the market, but which estab- lishes the location and development values. This places a great deal of pressure on the masterplan as a tool to give the client con- fidence that quality can be maintained and to set parameters for future development. As such it is an example of how pragmatic modern masterplanning can respond to the current economic climate. Development is carefully controlled where it needs to be. Within the soft cen- tre of the area, densities are lower as the proportion of family dwellings increases. Frontages to the primary elevation along York Road to the north and the station plaza to the south are given a slightly freer rein in 2 3 terms of height and mass as development values dictate. Mews houses 2-3 storeys Courtyards at LESSONS learned ground level Focusing on delivery right from the start of Gaps in blocks in the design development process was crucial. southern side allow daylight sunlight Residents and all stakeholders have been part of the process from very early stages. 4-5 storey blocks Thus, the evolving masterplan has developed with green and through joint consensus on key objectives brown roofs and design principles and is not a finished design set in stone, but a flexible framework, Taller 7-8 which is open to innovation and change. storeys markers at key junctions The design code accompanying the framework will need a carefully balanced approach, ensuring that the agreed cen- On street parking tral principles are protected, but allowing Maisonettes or flats with front enough freedom for future proposals to pro- gardens to streets vide creative ways of delivering the longer Pocket term vision for the area. park •

4 Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 50 Index

Allies & Morrison: Atkins plc Bidwells Urban Practitioners Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, Bidwell House, Trumpington Road Practice 85 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HX London NW1 3AT Cambridge CB2 9LD T 020 7921 0100 t 020 7121 2000 T 01223 559404 C a nthony Rifkin C Paul Reynolds C Philip Ayres Index E [email protected] e [email protected] E [email protected] W www.urbanpractitioners.co.uk W www.atkinsglobal.co.uk W www.bidwells.co.uk Specialist competition winning urban Interdisciplinary practice that offers a Planning, Landscape and Urban The following practices and urban regeneration practice combining range of built environment specialists Design consultancy, specialising design courses are members economic and urban design skills. working together to deliver quality in Masterplanning, Townscape of the Urban Design Group. Projects include West Ealing and places for everybody to enjoy. Assessment, Landscape and Visual Please see the UDG’s website Plymouth East End. Impact Assessment. www.urbandesigndirectory.com for Baca Architects more details. Amec Foster Wheeler Unit 1, 199 Long Lane Boyer Planning Environment & London SE1 4PN Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride Those wishing to be included in future Infrastructure UK Ltd t 020 7397 5620 Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3GZ issues should contact the UDG, Gables House Kenilworth Road, C r ichard Coutts t 01344 753220 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ Leamington Spa, Warwicks CV32 6JX e [email protected] C s teve Punter t 020 7250 0892 t 01926 439 000 W www.baca.uk.com/ e [email protected]. C Kathleen Lucey C David Thompson, Technical Award-winning architects with 100 per W www.boyerplanning.co.uk e [email protected] Director cent planning success. Baca Architects Offices in Wokingham, Colchester, W www.udg.org.uk e [email protected] have established a core specialism in Cardiff, Twickenham and London. W www.amecfw.com. waterfront and water architecture. Planning and urban design consultants ADAM Urbanism Masterplanning, urban design, offering a wide range of services Old Hyde House development planning and landscape Barton Willmore to support sites throughout the 75 Hyde Street within broad-based multidisciplinary Partnership development process: from appraisals Winchester SO23 7DW environmental and engineering READING to planning applications and appeals. T 01962 843843 consultancy. The Blade, Abbey Square C Hugh Petter, Robert Adam Reading RG1 3BE BOYLE + SUMMERS e [email protected] Applied_ t 0118 943 0000 Canute Chambers [email protected] 3rd floor, 22 Stukeley Street C james de Havilland, Nick Sweet Canute Road W www.adamurbanism.com London WC2B 5LR and Dominic Scott Southampton S014 3AB World-renowned for progressive, T 020 7017 8488 MANCHESTER T 02380 63 1432/ 07824 698033 classical design covering town and C richard Simon Tower 12, 18/22 Bridge Street C richard Summers country houses, housing development, E [email protected] Spinningfields E [email protected] urban masterplans, commercial W www.applied-espi.com Manchester M3 3BZ W www.boyleandsummers.co.uk development and public buildings. Applied develops globally renowned T 0161 817 4900 Space-shapers, place-makers, street wayfinding strategies and systems. C Dan Mitchell designers and development promoters. Alan Baxter & Associates Experts in dealing with complex e masterplanning@bartonwillmore. Value generators, team workers and 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ information and environments, co.uk site finders. Strategists, pragmatists, t 020 7250 1555 combining editorial and design W www.bartonwillmore.co.uk specialists and generalists. C a lan Baxter aptitude that keeps the end user at the Concept through to implementation on Visioneers, urbanists, architects and e [email protected] fore. Applied add value through well- complex sites, comprehensive design masterplanners. W www.alanbaxter.co.uk researched and intelligent analysis of guides, urban regeneration, brownfield An engineering and urban design city legibility and a creative approach to sites, and major urban expansions. BPUD Ltd practice. Particularly concerned with information. 155 Hurdsfield Road, Macclesfield the thoughtful integration of buildings, be1 Architects Cheshire SK10 2QX infrastructure and movement, and the AREA 5 Abbey Court, Fraser Road T 01625 262924 creation of places. Grange, Linlithgow Priory Business Park C bob Phillips West Lothian EH49 7RH Bedford MK44 3WH E [email protected] Albonico Sack Metacity t 01506 843247 t 01234 261266 W www.bpud.co.uk Architects & Urban C Karen Cadell/ Julia Neil C n y Moughal A multi-disciplinary town planning and Designers e [email protected] E [email protected] urban design consultancy dedicated to PO Box 95387 W www.area.uk.com W www.be1architects.co.uk the delivery of high quality development Grant Park, Johannesburg Making places imaginatively to deliver be1 is a practice of creative and solutions working with public, private 02051 South Africa the successful, sustainable and experienced architects, designers, and community organisations. t +27 11 492 0633 humane environments of the future. masterplanners, visualisers and C m onica Albonico technicians. We are skilled in the Broadway Malyan e [email protected] Arnold Linden design and delivery of masterplanning, 3 Weybridge Business Park W www.asmarch.com Chartered Architect architectural and urban design projects Addlestone Road, Weybridge, A multi-disciplinary practice 31 Waterlow Court, Heath Close and are committed to designing the Surrey KT15 2BW specialising in large scale, green field, Hampstead Way appropriate solution for all of our T 01932 845599 urban regeneration and upgrading London NW11 7DT projects. C jeff Nottage strategies, as well as residential, T 020 8455 9286 E [email protected] special and educational projects. C a rnold Linden The Bell Cornwell W www.broadwaymalyan.com Integrated regeneration through the Partnership We are an international interdisciplinary Allen Pyke Associates participation in the creative process of Oakview House, Station Road, Hook, practice which believes in the value of The Factory 2 Acre Road, the community and the public at large, Hampshire RG27 9TP place-making-led masterplans that are Kingston-upon-Thames KT2 6EF of streets, buildings and places. t 01256 766673 rooted in local context. t 020 8549 3434 C s imon Avery C David Allen/ Vanessa Ross Assael Architecture e [email protected] Brock Carmichael e [email protected] Studio 13, 50 Carnwath Road W www.bell-cornwell.co.uk Architects W www.allenpyke.co.uk London SW6 3FG Specialists in Masterplanning and the 19 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9JQ Innovative, responsive, committed, t 020 7736 7744 coordination of major development t 0151 242 6222 competitive, process. Priorities: people, C r ussell Pedley proposals. Advisors on development C m ichael Cosser spaces, movement, culture. Places: e [email protected] plan representations, planning e [email protected] regenerate, infill, extend create. W www.assael.co.uk applications and appeals. Masterplans and development briefs. Architects and urban designers Mixed use and brownfield regeneration covering mixed use, hotel, leisure and projects. Design in historic and residential, including urban frameworks sensitive settings. Integrated and masterplanning projects. landscape design.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Index 51

Building Design Partnership Chapman Taylor LLP Conroy Crowe Kelly Environmental Dimension 16 Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell, 10 Eastbourne Terrace, Architects & Urban Partnership London EC1V 4LJ London W2 6LG Designers Tithe Barn, Barnsley Park Estate t 020 7812 8000 t 020 7371 3000 65 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 Barnsley, Cirencester GL7 5EG C a ndrew Tindsley e [email protected] t 00 353 1 661 3990 t 01285 740427 e [email protected] W www.chapmantaylor.com C Clare Burke C t om Joyce W www.bdp.co.uk MANCHESTER e [email protected] e [email protected] BDP offers town planning, Bass Warehouse, 4 Castle Street W www.cck.ie W www.edp-uk.co.uk/ Masterplanning, urban design, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4LZ Architecture, urban design, The Environmental Dimension landscape, regeneration and t 0161 828 6500 Masterplanning, village studies. Mixed Partnership Ltd provides independent sustainability studies, and has teams e [email protected] use residential developments with a environmental planning and design based in London, Manchester and Chapman Taylor is an international strong identity and sense of place. advice to landowners, and property Belfast. firm of architects and urban designers and energy sector clients throughout specialising in mixed use city centre David Huskisson Associates the UK from offices in the Cotswolds, Burns + Nice regeneration and transport projects 17 Upper Grosvenor Road, Shrewsbury and Cardiff. 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ throughout the world. Offices in Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2DU t 020 7253 0808 Bangkok, Brussels, Bucharest, t 01892 527828 FarrellS C marie Burns/ Stephen Nice Düsseldorf, Kiev, Madrid, Milan, C n icola Brown 7 Hatton Street, London NW8 8PL e [email protected] Moscow, New Delhi, Paris, Prague, Sao e [email protected] t 020 7258 3433 W www.burnsnice.com Paulo, Shanghai and Warsaw. W www.dha-landscape.co.uk C max Farrell Urban design, landscape architecture, Landscape consultancy offering E [email protected] environmental and transport planning. CITY ID Masterplanning, streetscape and W www.terryfarrell.com Masterplanning, design and public 23 Trenchard Street urban park design, estate restoration, Architectural, urban design, planning consultation for community-led work. Bristol BS1 5AN environmental impact assessments. and Masterplanning services. New t 0117 917 7000 buildings, refurbishment, conference/ Capita Property and C m ike Rawlinson David Lock Associates Ltd exhibition centres and visitor Infrastructure e [email protected] 50 North Thirteenth Street, attractions. 85 Gresham Street W cityid.co.uk Central Milton Keynes, London EC2V 7NQ Place branding and marketing vision Milton Keynes MK9 3BP FaulknerBrowns T 020 7709 4500 Masterplanning, urban design, public t 01908 666276 Dobson House, Northumbrian Way, C r ichard Maloney realm strategies, way finding and C Will Cousins Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6QW e [email protected] legibility strategies, information design e [email protected] t 0191 268 3007 W www.capita.co.uk/property and graphics. W www.davidlock.com C b en Sykes Masterplans, urban design, urban Strategic planning studies, e [email protected] regeneration, historic buildings, project Clarke Klein & Chaudhuri area development frameworks, W www.faulknerbrowns.co.uk management, planning, EIA, landscape Architects development briefs, design guidelines, FaulknerBrowns is a regionally-based planning and design. 22 Bloomsbury Street, Masterplanning, implementation architectural design practice with a London WC1B 3QJ strategies, environmental statements. national and international reputation. Carter Jonas t 020 7637 9719 From a workload based initially on Berger House, 36-38 Berkeley Square C Wendy Clarke Define education, library, sports and leisure London W1J 5AE e [email protected] Unit 6, 133-137 Newhall Street buildings, the practice’s current T 020 7016 0720 Small design-led practice focusing Birmingham B3 1SF workload includes masterplanning, C rebecca Sanders on custom solutions for architectural, T 0121 237 1901 offices, healthcare, commercial mixed E [email protected] planning or urban design projects. C a ndy Williams use, industrial and residential, for both W www.carterjonas.co.uk/our- Exploring the potential for innovative e [email protected] private and public sector clients services/planning-development.aspx urban design. W www.wearedefine.com Multidisciplinary practice working Define specialises in the promotion, Feria Urbanism throughout the UK, specialising in Clifton Emery Design shaping and assessment of Second Floor Studio, 11 Fernside Road urban design and masterplanning, 3 Silverdown Office Park development. Our work focuses on Bournemouth, Dorset BH9 2LA place-making, new settlements and Fair Oak Close, Exeter strategic planning, masterplanning, t 01202 548676 urban extensions, urban regeneration, Devon EX5 2UX urban design codes, EIA, TVIA, estate C r ichard Eastham sustainability and community T 01392 368866 strategies, public realm design, e [email protected] consultation. Complemented by C neil Emery or Daniel Clifton consultation strategies, urban design W www.feria-urbanism.eu in-house architecture, planning, E [email protected] audits and expert witness. Expertise in urban planning, development, investment, property and W www.cliftonemerydesign.co.uk masterplanning and public minerals teams. Specialists in placemaking, offering DHA Planning & Urban participation. Specialisms include a multidisciplinary and collaborative Design design for the night time economy, CH2M Hill approach to creating inspiring places Eclipse House, Eclipse Park, urban design skills training and local Elms House, 43 Brook Green and delivering quality. With expertise Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, community engagement. Hammersmith, London W6 7EF in urban design, masterplanning, Kent ME14 3EN t 020 3479 8000 architecture and landscape t 01622 776226 Fletcher Priest Architects C robert Schmidt / Duncan architecture, we balance the competing C m atthew Woodhead Middlesex House Whatmore needs of development, ensuring e [email protected] 34/42 Cleveland Street E [email protected] schemes are inspiring, environmentally W dhaplanning.co.uk London W1T 4JE W www.ch2m.com aware, technically sound and Planning and Urban Design t 020 7034 2200 Global leader in full-service master commercially astute. Consultancy offering a full range F 020 7637 5347 planning & site optimisation, urban of Urban Design services including C j onathan Kendall design, and programme management Colour Urban Design Limited Masterplanning, development briefs e [email protected] services for public & private clients. We Milburn House, Dean Street, and design statements. W www.fletcherpreist.com are committed to delivering innovative, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE Work ranges from city-scale practical and sustainable solutions. t 0191 242 4224 Doyle Town Planning & masterplans (Stratford City, Riga) to London office Urban Design architectural commissions for high- 372 Coldharbour Lane 86-90 Paul Street profile professional clients. London SW9 8PL London EC2A 4NE T 020 7387 8560 T 020 3305 7476 FPCR Environment C Peter Owens C michael Doyle & Design Ltd e [email protected] E [email protected] Lockington Hall, Lockington W www.colour-udl.com W www.michael-doyle.com Derby DE74 2RH Office also in London. Design oriented Urban design and masterplanning t 01509 672772 projects with full client participation. practice specialising in placemaking C t im Jackson Public spaces, regeneration, at the interface with transport e [email protected] development, Masterplanning, infrastructures, city and city centre W www.fpcr.co.uk residential, education and healthcare. design, historic quarters, new Integrated design and environmental settlements and extensions. practice. Specialists in Masterplanning, urban and mixed use regeneration, development frameworks, EIAs and public inquiries.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 52 Index

Framework Architecture Hankinson Duckett Iceni Projects Land Use Consultants and Urban Design Associates Flitcroft House 43 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD 3 Marine Studios, Burton Lane, The Stables, Howberry Park, Benson 114-116 Charing Cross Road T 020 7383 5784 Burton Waters, Lincoln LN1 2WN Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BA London WC2H 0JR C adrian Wikeley t 01522 535383 t 01491 838 175 T 020 3640 8508 E [email protected] C g regg Wilson C b rian Duckett C nivedita D’Lima GLASGOW e [email protected] e [email protected] E [email protected] 37 Otago Street, Glasgow G12 8JJ W www.frameworklincoln.co.uk W www.hda-enviro.co.uk W www.iceniprojects.com T 0141 334 9595 Architecture and urban design. A An approach which adds value through Iceni Projects is a planning and devel- C martin Tabor commitment to the broader built innovative solutions. Development opment consultancy with an innovative E [email protected] environment and the particular dynamic planning, new settlements, and commercially-minded approach W www.landuse.co.uk of a place and the design opportunities environmental assessment, re-use of aimed at delivering success. Urban regeneration, landscape presented. redundant buildings. design, masterplanning, sustainable IDP GROUP development, environmental planning, Garsdale Design Limited Hawkins\Brown 27 Spon Street environmental assessment, landscape High Branthwaites, Frostrow, 60 Bastwick Street, London EC1V 3TN Coventry CV1 3BA planning and management. Offices Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5JR t 020 7336 8030 T 024 7652 7600 also in Bristol and Edinburgh. t 015396 20875 C David Bickle C Luke Hillson C Derrick Hartley e [email protected] E [email protected] Landscape Projects e i [email protected] W www.hawkinsbrown.co.uk W www.weareidp.com 31 Blackfriars Road, Salford W www.garsdaledesign.co.uk Multi-disciplinary architecture and We are IDP. We enhance daily life Manchester M3 7AQ GDL provides Masterplanning and urban design practice specialising in through architecture. We use design T 0161 839 8336 urban design, architecture and heritage mixed use regeneration, educational creativity, logic, collaboration and C neil Swanson services developed through 25 years Masterplanning, sustainable rural pragmatism to realise places and E [email protected] wide ranging experience in the UK and development frameworks, transport space. Ideas, delivered. W www.landscapeprojects.co.uk Middle East. infrastructure and public urban realm We work at the boundary between design. JB Planning architecture, urban and landscape Gillespies Chells Manor, Chells Lane design, seeking innovative, sensitive LONDON • GLASGOW • MANCHESTER • HOK international Ltd Stevenage, Herts SG2 7AA design and creative thinking. Offices in LEEDS • OXFORD • ABU DHABI Qube, 90 Whitfield Street T 01438 312130 Manchester & London. 1 St John’s Square London W1T 4EZ C Kim Boyd London EC1M 4DH t 020 7636 2006 E [email protected] Lanpro Services T 020 7253 2929 C t im Gale W www.jbplanning.com 4 St Mary’s House London e [email protected] JB Planning Associates is an Duke Street, Norwich NR3 1QA E [email protected] W www.hok.com independent firm of chartered town T 01603 631 319 Oxford/Abu Dhabi HOK delivers design of the highest planning consultants, providing expert C jun Lee E [email protected] quality. It is one of Europe’s leading advice to individuals and businesses E [email protected] Glasgow architectural practices, offering on matters connected with planning, W www.lanproservices.co.uk E [email protected] experienced people in a diverse range property, land and development. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Manchester of building types, skills and markets. providing specialist advice in the fields E [email protected] Jon Rowland Urban Design of town planning, masterplanning, Leeds HTA Design LLP 65 Hurst Rise Road, Oxford OX2 9HE urban design, project management and E [email protected] 106-110 Kentish Town Road t 01865 863642 monitoring, landscape architecture and W www.gillespies.co.uk London NW1 9PX C j on Rowland interior design. Urban design, landscape architecture, T 020 7485 8555 e [email protected] architecture, planning, environmental C simon Bayliss W www.jrud.co.uk Lavigne Lonsdale Ltd assessment, planning supervisors and E [email protected] Urban design, urban regeneration, 38 Belgrave Crescent, Camden project management. W www.hta.co.uk development frameworks, site Bath BA1 5JU HTA Design LLP is a multi-disciplinary appraisals, town centre studies, design t 01225 421539 Globe Consultants Ltd practice of architecture, landscape guidance, public participation and TRURO 26 Westgate, Lincoln LN1 3BD design, planning, urban design, Masterplanning. 55 Lemon Street, Truro t 01522 546483 sustainability, graphic design and Cornwall TR1 2PE C Lynette Swinburne communications based in London and JTP t 01872 273118 e lynette.swinburne@globelimited. Edinburgh, specialising in regeneration. 23-25 Great Sutton Street C m artyn Lonsdale co.uk Offices in London & Edinburgh. London ECIV 0DN e [email protected] W www.globelimited.co.uk t 020 7017 1780 W www.lavigne.co.uk Provides urban design, planning, Hyland Edgar Driver C m arcus Adams We are an integrated practice of economic and cultural development One Wessex Way, Colden Common, e [email protected] masterplanners, Urban Designers, services across the UK and Winchester, Hants SO21 1WG Edinburgh Landscape Architects and Product internationally, specialising in t 01962 711 600 2nd Floor Venue studios, 15-21 Designers. Experienced in large sustainable development solutions, C j ohn Hyland Calton Road, Edinburgh EH8 8DL scale, mixed use and residential masterplanning and regeneration. e [email protected] t 0131 272 2762 Masterplanning, health, education, W www.heduk.com C a lan Stewart regeneration, housing, parks, public GM Design Associates Ltd Innovative problem solving, driven e [email protected] realm and streetscape design. 22 Lodge Road, Coleraine by cost efficiency and sustainability, W www.jtp.co.uk Co. Londonderry BT52 1NB combined with imagination and Addressing the problems of physical, LDA Design Northern Ireland coherent aesthetic of the highest social and economic regeneration 14-17 Wells Mews, London W1T 3HF t 028 703 56138 quality. through collaborative interdisciplinary t 020 7467 1470 C b ill Gamble community based planning. C Vaughan Anderson e [email protected] IBI Group [email protected] W www.g-m-design.com Chadsworth House Kay Elliott W www.lda-design.co.uk Architecture, town and country Wilmslow Road, Handforth 5-7 Meadfoot Road, Torquay GLASGOW planning, urban design, landscape Cheshire, SK9 3HP Devon TQ1 2JP Sovereign House, architecture, development T 01625 542200 t 01803 213553 158 West Regent Street frameworks and briefs, feasibility C neil Lewin C m ark Jones Glasgow G2 4RL studies, sustainability appraisals, E [email protected] e [email protected] T 0141 2229780 public participation and community W www.ibigroup.com W www.kayelliott.co.uk C Kirstin Taylor engagement. We are a globally integrated urban International studio with 30 year history E [email protected] design, planning, architecture, town of imaginative architects and urban Offices also in Oxford, Peterborough planning, master planning, landscape designers, creating buildings and places & Exeter architecture, engineering and that enhance their surroundings and add Multidisciplinary firm covering all technology practice. financial value. aspects of Masterplanning, urban regeneration, public realm design, environmental impact and community involvement.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Index 53

Levitt Bernstein Metropolis Planning and NJBA A + U Philip Cave Associates Associates Ltd Design 34 Upper Baggot Street 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ 1 Kingsland Passage, London E8 2BB 4 Underwood Row, London N1 7LQ Dublin 4, IRE – D4, Ireland t 020 7250 0077 t 020 7275 7676 T 020 7324 2662 t 00 353 1 678 8068 C Philip Cave C g lyn Tully C greg Cooper C noel J Brady e [email protected] e [email protected] E [email protected] e [email protected] W www.philipcave.com W www.levittbernstein.co.uk W ww.metropolispd.com W www.12publishers.com/njba.htm Design-led practice with innovative yet Urban design, Masterplanning, full Metropolitan urban design solutions Integrated landscapes, urban design, practical solutions to environmental architectural service, lottery grant bid drawn from a multi-disciplinary studio town centres and squares, strategic opportunities in urban regeneration. advice, interior design, urban renewal of urban designers, architects, planners design and planning. Specialist expertise in landscape consultancy and landscape design. and heritage architects. architecture. Node Urban Design LHC Urban Design Metropolitan Workshop 33 Holmfield Road Phil Jones Associates Design Studio, Emperor Way, Exeter 14-16 Cowcross Street Leicester LE2 1SE Seven House, High Street Business Park, Exeter, Devon EX1 3QS London EC1M 6DG T 0116 2708742 Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2UQ t 01392 444334 t 020 7566 0450 C nigel Wakefield T 0121 475 0234 C j ohn Baulch C David Prichard/Neil Deeley E [email protected] C nigel Millington e [email protected] e [email protected] W www.nodeurbandesign.com E [email protected] W www.lhc.net W www.metwork.co.uk/ An innovative team of urban design, W www.philjonesassociates.co.uk/ Urban designers, architects and Metropolitan Workshop has experience landscape and heritage consultants One of the UK’s leading independent landscape architects, providing an in urban design, land use planning, who believe that good design adds transport specialists offering the integrated approach to strategic regeneration and architecture in the value. Providing sustainable urban expertise to deliver high quality, viable visioning, regeneration, urban renewal, UK, Eire and Norway. Recent projects: design and masterplan solutions at all developments which are design-led Masterplanning and public realm Ballymun Dublin, Durham Millennium scales of development with a focus on and compliant with urban design best projects. Creative, knowledgeable, Quarter, Adamstown District Centre the creation of a sense of place. practice. practical, passionate. Dublin, Bjorvika Waterfront Novell Tullett PLANIT i.e. LLP Liz Lake Associates Mouchel The Old Mess Room The Planit Group Western House, Chapel Hill 209-215 Blackfriars Road Home Farm 2 Back Grafton Street Stansted Mountfitchet London SE1 8NL Barrow Gurney BS48 3RW Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 1DY Essex CM24 8AG t 020 7803 2600 t 01275 462476 t 0161 928 9281 t 01279 647044 C Ludovic Pittie C s imon Lindsley C Peter Swift C m att Lee e [email protected] E [email protected] E [email protected] e [email protected] W www.mouchel.com W www.novelltullett.co.uk W www.planit-ie.com W www.lizlake.com Integrated urban design, transport and Urban design, landscape architecture Public realm solutions informed by Urban fringe/brownfield sites where engineering consultancy, changing the and environmental planning. robust urban design. We create quality an holistic approach to urban design, urban landscape in a positive manner, spaces for people to live, work, play landscape, and ecological issues can creating places for sustainable living. Origin3 and enjoy. provide robust design solutions. Tyndall House Nathaniel Lichfield & 17 Whiteladies Road Planning Design Practice LSI Architects LLP Partners Ltd Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PB 4 Woburn House, Vernon Gate The Old Drill Hall, 23 A Cattle Market 14 Regent’s Wharf, All Saints Street, t 0117 927 3281 Derby DE1 1UL Street, Norwich NR1 3DY London N1 9RL C e mily Esfahani T 01332 347 371 t 01603 660711 t 020 7837 4477 E [email protected] C scott O’Dell C David Thompson C n ick Thompson W www.origin3.co.uk E [email protected] [email protected] e [email protected] Planning and urban design consultancy W www.planningdesign.co.uk W www.lsiarchitects.co.uk W www.nlpplanning.com We are a multi-disciplinary practice Large scale Masterplanning and Also at Newcastle upon Tyne and Paul Drew Design Ltd offering services in planning, visualisation in sectors such as health, Cardiff 23-25 Great Sutton Street architecture and urban design who education and business, and new Urban design, Masterplanning, London EC1V 0DN seek to create better places. sustainable settlements. heritage/conservation, visual appraisal, t 020 7017 1785 regeneration, daylight/sunlight C Paul Drew +Plus Urban Design Ltd Malcolm Moor Urban Design assessments, public realm strategies. e [email protected] Spaceworks, Benton Park Road 27 Ock Mill Close, Abingdon W www.pauldrewdesign.co.uk Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7LX Oxon OX14 1SP New Masterplanning Limited Masterplanning, urban design, T 0844 800 6660 t 01235 550122 2nd Floor, 107 Bournemouth Road, residential and mixed use design. C richard Charge, Tony Wyatt C m alcolm Moor Poole, Dorset BH14 9HR Creative use of design codes and other E [email protected] e [email protected] t 01202 742228 briefing material. W www.plusud.co.uk W www.moorud.com C a ndy Ward Specialist practice providing strate- Master planning of new communities, e office@new Masterplanning.com PD Lane Associates gic masterplanning, urban design urban design, residential, urban W www.new Masterplanning.com 1 Church Road, Greystones guidance, analysis, character capacity and ecofitting studies, design Our skills combine strategic planning County Wicklow, Ireland assessment and independent involvement with major international with detailed implementation, design t 00 353 1287 6697 design advisory expertise. projects. flair with economic rigour, independent C m alcolm Lane thinking with a partnership approach. e [email protected] PM DEVEREUX Melville Dunbar Associates W www.pdlane.ie 200 Upper Richmond Road, Studio 2, Griggs Business Centre Nicholas Pearson Urban design, architecture and London SW15 2SH West Street, Coggeshall, Essex CO6 Associates planning consultancy, specialising t 020 8780 1800 1NT 30 Brock Street, Bath BA1 2LN in Masterplanning, development C alex Johnson t 01376 562828 t 01225 445548 frameworks, site layouts, applications, e a [email protected] C m elville Dunbar C simon Kale appeals, project co-ordination. W www.pmdevereux.com e [email protected] E [email protected] Adding value through innovative, W www.melvilledunbarassociates. W www.npaconsult.co.uk Pegasus Group ambitious solutions in complex com Masterplanning, public realm design, Pegasus House urban environments. Architecture, urban design, planning, streetscape analysis, concept and Querns Business Centre Masterplanning, new towns, urban detail designs. Also full landscape Whitworth Road, Cirencester GL7 1RT regeneration, conservation studies, architecture service, EIA, green T 01285 641717 design guides, townscape studies, infrastructure, ecology and biodiversity, C michael Carr design briefs. environmental planning and E [email protected] management. W www.pegasuspg.co.uk Masterplanning, detailed layout and architectural design, design and access statements, design codes, sustainable design, development briefs, development frameworks, expert witness, community involvement and sustainability appraisal. Part of the multidisciplinary Pegasus Group.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 54 Index

Pod RICHARDS PARTINGTON Scott Worsfold Associates Soltys: Brewster Consulting 99 Galgate,Barnard Castle ARCHITECTS The Studio, 22 Ringwood Road 4 Stangate House, Stanwell Road Co Durham DL12 8ES Unit G, Reliance Wharf, Longham, Dorset BH22 9AN Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan CF64 2AA T 0845 872 7288 Hertford Road, London N1 5EW T 01202 580902 t 029 2040 8476 C a ndy Dolby t 020 7241 7770 C gary Worsfold / Alister Scott C s imon Brewster E [email protected] C r ichard Partington E [email protected] / alister@ e [email protected] Masterplanning, site appraisal, layout e [email protected] sw-arch.com W www.soltysbrewster.co.uk and architectural design. Development W www.rparchitects.co.uk W www.garyworsfoldarchitecture. Urban design, masterplans, design frameworks, urban regeneration, Urban design, housing, retail, co.uk strategies, visual impact, environmental design codes, briefs and design and education, sustainability and An award winning practice of chartered assessment, regeneration of urban access statements. Second office in commercial projects that take architects, urban designers and experts space, landscape design and project Newcastle upon Tyne. a responsible approach to the in conservation, all with exceptional management. environment and resources. graphic skills and an enviable record in Pollard Thomas Edwards planning consents. spacehub Architects Richard Reid & Associates Grimsby Street Studio, Diespeker Wharf, 38 Graham Street, Whitely Farm, Ide Hill, Sheils Flynn Ltd 20a Grimsby Street London N1 8JX Sevenoaks TN14 6BS Bank House High Street, Docking, London E2 6ES t 020 7336 7777 t 01732 741417 Kings Lynn PE31 8NH T 020 7739 6699 C r obin Saha-Choudhury C r ichard Reid t 01485 518304 C giles Charlton andrew Beharrell E [email protected] C e oghan Sheils E [email protected] E [email protected] W www.richardreid.co.uk e [email protected] W www.spacehubdesign.com W www.ptea.co.uk W www.sheilsflynn.com spacehub is a young design studio, Masterplanners, urban designers, RPS Award winning town centre specialising in public realm, landscape, developers, architects, listed building Bristol, Cambridge, London, Newark, regeneration schemes, urban strategies ecology and urban design. We are and conservation area designers; Southampton & Swindon and design guidance. Specialists in passionate and committed to creative specialising in inner city mixed use high 2420 The Quadrant community consultation and team thinking and collaborative working. density regeneration. Aztec West, Almondsbury facilitation. Bristol BS32 4AQ Spawforths Project Centre Ltd t 0800 587 9939 Shepheard Epstein Hunter Junction 41 Business Court, East Level 4, Westgate House e [email protected] Phoenix Yard, 65 King’s Cross Road, Ardsley, Leeds WF3 2AB Westgate, London W5 1YY W www.rpsgroup.com London WC1X 9LW t 01924 873873 t 020 7421 8222 Part of the RPS Group providing a t 020 7841 7500 C a drian Spawforth C David Moores wide range of urban design services C s teven Pidwill e [email protected] e [email protected] including Masterplanning and e [email protected] W www.spawforths.co.uk W www.projectcentre.co.uk development frameworks, design W www.seh.co.uk Urbanism with planners and architects Landscape architecture, public realm guides and statements. SEH is a user-friendly, award-winning specialising in Masterplanning, design, urban regeneration, street architects firm, known for its work in community engagement, visioning and lighting design, planning supervision, SAVILLS (L&P) LIMITED regeneration, education, housing, development frameworks. traffic and transportation, parking and 33 Margaret Street Masterplanning, mixed use and highway design. London W1G 0JD healthcare projects. Stride Treglown t 020 3320 8242 Promenade House, The Promenade PRP Architects W www.savills.com Sheppard Robson Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NE 10 Lindsey Street, SOUTHAMPTON 77 Parkway, Camden Town, T 0117 974 3271 London EC1A 9HP 2 Charlotte Place, London NW1 7PU C graham Stephens T 020 7653 1200 Southampton SO14 0TB t 020 7504 1700 [email protected] C andy von Bradsky t 02380 713900 C Charles Scott W www.stridetreglown.com/ E [email protected] C Peter Frankum e [email protected] Architects, planners, urban designers e [email protected] W www.sheppardrobson.com Stuart Turner Associates and landscape architects, specialising Offices throughout the World Manchester 12 Ledbury, Great Linford, in housing, urban regeneration, health, Savills Urban Design creates value 27th Floor, City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza Milton Keynes MK14 5DS education and leisure projects. from places and places of value. Manchester M1 4BD t 01908 678672 Masterplanning, urban design, design t 0161 233 8900 C s tuart Turner Randall Thorp coding, urban design advice, planning, Planners, urban designers and e [email protected] Canada House, 3 Chepstow Street, commercial guidance. architects. Strategic planning, urban W www.studiost.co.uk Manchester M1 5FW Scott Brownrigg Ltd regeneration, development planning, Architecture, urban design and t 0161 228 7721 St Catherines Court, 46-48 town centre renewal, new settlement environmental planning, the design of C Pauline Randall Portsmouth Road, Guildford GU2 4DU planning. new settlements, urban regeneration e [email protected] t 01483 568 686 and site development studies. W www.randallthorp.co.uk C alex Baker Signet Urban Design Masterplanning for new developments e [email protected] Rowe House, 10 East Parade studio | REAL and settlements, infrastructure design W www.scottbrownrigg.com Harrogate HG1 5LT Oxford Centre for Innovation and urban renewal, design guides and Integrated service of architecture, T 01423 857510 New Road, Oxford OX1 1BY design briefing, public participation. urban design, planning, C richard Walshaw t 01865 261461 Masterplanning, involved in several E [email protected] C r oger Evans Random Greenway mixed use schemes regenerating inner W www.signetplanning.com e [email protected] Architects city and brownfield sites. A team of talented urban W www.studioreal.co.uk Soper Hall, Harestone Valley Road design professionals providing Urban regeneration, quarter Caterham Surrey CR3 6HY Scott Tallon Walker masterplanning, detailed layout and frameworks and design briefs, town t 01883 346 441 Architects architectural design, design and centre strategies, movement in towns, C r Greenway 19 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 access statements, design codes and Masterplanning and development e rg@randomgreenwayarchitects. t 00 353 1 669 3000 development frameworks throughout economics. co.uk C Philip Jackson the UK. Architecture, planning and urban E [email protected] Terence O'Rourke design. New build, regeneration, W www.stwarchitects.com Smeeden Foreman ltd Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street refurbishment and restoration. Award winning international practice Somerset House, Low Moor Lane London W1B 5TE covering all aspects of architecture, Scotton, Knaresborough HG5 9JB t 020 3664 6755 Richard Coleman urban design and planning. t 01423 863369 C Kim Hamilton Citydesigner C m ark Smeeden e [email protected] 14 Lower Grosvenor Place, e [email protected] W www.torltd.co.uk/ London SW1W 0EX W www.smeedenforeman.co.uk Award-winning planning, design and t 020 7630 4880 Ecology, landscape architecture environmental practice. C Lakshmi Varma and urban design. Environmental e [email protected] assessment, detailed design, contract Advice on architectural quality, packages and site supervision. urban design, and conservation, historic buildings and townscape. Environmental statements, listed buildings/area consent applications.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Index 55

Terra Firma Consultancy Tweed Nuttall Warburton URS Infrastructure & Yellow Book Ltd Cedar Court, 5 College Street Chapel House, City Road Environment 39/2 Gardner’s Crescent Petersfield GU31 4AE Chester CH1 3AE 6-8 Greencoat Place Edinburgh EH3 8DG t 01730 262040 t 01244 310388 London SW1P 1PL t 0131 229 0179 C Lionel Fanshawe C j ohn Tweed T 020 7798 5137 C j ohn Lord [email protected] e [email protected] C ben Castell e [email protected] W www.terrafirmaconsultancy.com W www.tnw-architecture.co.uk E [email protected] W www.yellowbookltd.com Independent landscape architectural Architecture and urban design, W www.ursglobal.com Place-making, urban regeneration practice with considerable urban Masterplanning. Urban waterside Also at Birmingham, Leeds, and economic development involving design experience at all scales from EIA environments. Community teamwork Manchester and Plymouth creative and cultural industries, tourism to project delivery throughout UK and enablers. Visual impact assessments. Urban design, planning, landscape, and labour market research. overseas. economic and architectural design Urban Design Futures expertise supported by comprehensive THrive 34/1 Henderson Row multidisciplinary skills. Building 300, The Grange Edinburgh EH3 5DN Romsey Road, Michelmersh t 0131 557 8944 Vincent and Gorbing Ltd Romsey SO51 0AE C s elby Richardson Sterling Court, Norton Road, Education T 01794 367703 e [email protected] Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2JY C g ary Rider W www.urbandesignfutures.co.uk t 01438 316331 e g [email protected] Innovative urban design, planning C r ichard Lewis Index W www.thrivearchitects.co.uk and landscape practice specialising e urban.designers@vincent-gorbing. Award winning multi-disciplinary in Masterplanning, new settlements, co.uk practice encompassing architecture, urban regeneration, town and village W www.vincent-gorbing.co.uk ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY urban design, masterplanning, design studies. Masterplanning, design statements, Department of Engineering & Built coding, regeneration, development character assessments, development Environment, Marconi Building frameworks, sustainable design/ Urban Initiatives Studio briefs, residential layouts and urban Rivermead Campus, Bishop Hall Lane planning and construction. Residential Exmouth House, 3-11 Pine Street capacity exercises. Chelmsford CM1 1SQ and retirement care specialists. London EC1R 0JH T 01245 683 3952 T 0203 567 0716 Wei Yang & Partners C Dr Dellé Odeleye Tibbalds Planning & Urban C Hugo Nowell 4 Devonshire Street e [email protected] Design E [email protected] London W1W 5DT W Full time: 19 Maltings Place, 169 Tower Bridge W www.uistudio.co.uk T 020 3102 8565 www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/ Road, London SE1 3JB Urban design, transportation, C Dr Wei Yang prospectus/pg/Urban_Design.html t 020 7089 2121 regeneration, development planning. E [email protected] Part time: C Katja Stille W www.weiyangandpartners.co.uk www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/ e [email protected] Urban Innovations Independent multi-disciplinary prospectus/pg/_urban_design.html W www.tibbalds.co.uk 1st Floor, Wellington Buildings, company driven by a commitment to MSc in Urban Design, Post Grad Multi-disciplinary practice of urban 2 Wellington Street, Belfast BT16HT shape more sustainable and liveable Diploma or Certificate in Urban Design. designers, architects and planners. t 028 9043 5060 cities. Specialising in low-carbon city The emphasis is on sustainable urban Provides expertise from concept C tony Stevens/ Agnes Brown development strategies, sustainable design and cultural approaches to implementation in regeneration, e [email protected] large-scale new settlement master to place-shaping. The course is masterplanning, urban design and W www.urbaninnovations.co.uk plans, urban regeneration, urban based upon key requirements in the design management to public and The partnership provides not only and public realm design, mixed use ’Recognised Practitioner in Urban private sector clients. feasibility studies and assists in site urban complex design and community Design’ designation. It can be taken full assembly for complex projects but building strategies. time (1 year) or part time (2 years). Townscape Solutions also full architectural services for major 208 Lightwoods Hill, Smethwick projects. West Waddy ADP LLP Cardiff University West Midlands B67 5EH The Malthouse, 60 East St. Helen Welsh School of Architecture and t 0121 429 6111 URBED (Urbanism Street, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 5EB School of City & Regional Planning C Kenny Brown Environment & Design) t 01235 523139 Glamorgan Building [email protected] Manchester C Philip Waddy King Edward VII Avenue W www.townscapesolutions.co.uk 10 Little Lever Street, e [email protected] Cardiff CF10 3WA Specialist urban design practice Manchester M1 1HR W westwaddy-adp.co.uk t 029 2087 5972/029 2087 5961 offering a wide range of services T 0161 200 5500 Experienced and multi-disciplinary team C allison Dutoit, Marga Munar Bauza including masterplans, site layouts, C j ohn Sampson of urban designers, architects and town e [email protected] design briefs, design and access e [email protected] planners offering a full range of urban [email protected] statements, expert witness and 3D W www.urbed.coop design services. W www.cardiff.ac.uk/cplan/study/ illustrations. LONDON postgraduate/urban-design-ma The Building Centre White Consultants One year full-time and two year part- TP bennett LLP 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT Enterprise House, 127-129 Bute Street time MA in Urban Design. One America Street, London SE1 0NE C nicholas Falk Cardiff CF10 5LE t 020 7208 2029 T 07811 266538 t 029 2043 7841 Edinburgh School of C Peter Davis Sustainable Urbanism, Masterplanning, C s imon White Architecture and E [email protected] Urban Design, Retrofitting, E [email protected] Landscape Architecture W www.tpbennett.com Consultation, Capacity Building, W www.whiteconsultants.co.uk ECA University of Edinburgh Development planning, urban design, Research, Town Centres and A holistic approach to urban Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9DF conservation and Masterplanning Regeneration. regeneration, design guidance, public T 0131 651 5786 – making places and adding value realm and open space strategies and C Dr Ola Uduku through creative, progressive, dynamic URBEN town centre studies for the public, E [email protected] and joyful exploration. 33a Wadeson Street private and community sectors. W www.ed.ac.uk/studying/ London E2 9DR postgraduate/degrees Turley T 0203 005 4859 WYG Planning & Jointly run with Heriot Watt University, 10th Floor, 1 New York Street T 0845 054 2992 Environment this M.Sc in Urban Strategies and Manchester M1 4HD C e lizabeth Reynolds 100 St. John Street Design focuses on urban design t 0161 233 7676 e [email protected] London EC1M 4EH practice and theory from a cultural, C jaimie Ferguson e [email protected] T 020 7250 7500 and socio-economic, case-study E [email protected] C Colin James perspective. Engaging students W www.turley.co.uk E [email protected] in ’live’ urban projects, as part of Offices also in Belfast, Birmingham, W www.wyg.com the programme’s ’action research’ Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Offices throughout the UK pedagogy, it also offers research Leeds, London and Southampton. 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Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 56 Index

THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART Nottingham Trent University College London University of Nottingham Mackintosh School of Architecture University Bartlett School of Planning Department of Architecture and Built 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G3 6RQ Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU 14 Upper Woburn Place Environment, University Park T 0141 353 4500 T 0115 848 6033 London WC1H 0NN Nottingham NG7 2RD C joanna Crotch C stefan Kruczkowski T 020 7679 4797 T 0115 9513110 E [email protected] E [email protected] C matthew Carmona C Dr Amy Tang W www.gsa.ac.uk/study/graduate- W www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/pss/ E [email protected] E [email protected] degrees/architectural-studies/ course_finder/108169-1/6/pgcert_ W www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/planning/ W www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/ Master of Architecture in: Urban Design planning_urban_design_and_ programmes/postgraduate/ courses/architecture-and-built- and Creative Urban Practices; Urban sustainable_development.aspx mresInter-disciplinary-urban-design environment/sustainable-urban- Building; Computer Aided Architectural NTU offers postgraduate opportunities The MRes Inter-disciplinary Urban design-march.aspx Design; and, Energy & Environmental in urban design with a particular Design cuts across urban design Master of Architecture (MArch) in Studies. The MArch programme is focus on residential led development. programmes at The Bartlett, allowing Sustainable Urban Design is a research research and project driven with a multi- Modules are available as either stand- students to construct their study in and project-based programme which disciplinary input that begins begins alone CPD learning or as part of a flexible manner and explore urban aims to assist the enhancement of with a series of core lectures and postgraduate awards. Modules include design as a critical arena for advanced the quality of our cities by bringing seminars that is balanced by literature Built for Life(TM) and Garden Cities and research and practice. The course innovative design with research in enquiry to enable students to develop Suburbs. Our courses are designed for operates as a stand-alone high level sustainability. a multi-disciplinary perspective as a those working full-time with a one-day a masters or as preparation for a PhD. grounding for shared discourse. month teaching format. University of Portsmouth University of Dundee School of Architecture Leeds Beckett University Oxford Brookes University Town and Regional Planning Eldon Building, Winston Churchill School of Art, Architecture and Joint Centre for Urban Design Tower Building, Perth Road Avenue, Portsmouth PO1 2DJ Design, Broadcasting Place, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP Dundee DD1 4HN T 02392 842 090 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9EN C georgia Butina-Watson, Alan Reeve T 01382 385246 / 01382 385048 C Dr Fabiano Lemes t 0113 812 3216 t 01865 483403 C Dr Mohammad Radfar / Dr Deepak E [email protected] C e dwin Knighton Diploma in Urban Design, six months Gopinath W www.port.ac.uk/courses/ e [email protected] full time or 18 months part time. MA one e [email protected] / architecture-property-and-surveying/ W www.courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ year full-time or two years part-time. [email protected] ma-urban-design/ urbandesign_ma W www.dundee.ac.uk/postgraduate/ The MA Urban Design course provides Master of Arts in Urban Design consists UCLan – University of courses/advanced_sustainable_ the opportunity to debate the potential of 1 year full time or 2 years part time or Central Lancashire urban_design_msc.htm role of design professionals in the individual programme of study. Shorter The Grenfell-Baines School of The MSc Advanced Sustainable generation of sustainable cities. One programmes lead to Post Graduate Architecture, Construction and Urban Design (RTPI accredited) is a year full time and two years part time. Diploma/Certificate. Project based Environment, Preston, PR1 2HE unique multidisciplinary practice-led course focusing on the creation of T 01772 892400 programme set in an international University of Sheffield sustainable environments through E [email protected] context (EU study visit) and engaging School of Architecture, The Arts interdisciplinary design. W www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/msc_ with such themes as landscape Tower, urban_design.php urbanism, placemaking across cultures Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN London South Bank The MSc in Urban Design enables and sustainability evaluation as T 0114 222 0341 University students to work with real cities integrated knowledge spheres in the C Florian Kossak Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences and live projects, politicians, policy creation of sustainable places. E [email protected] 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA makers, architects and designers in a W www.shef.ac.uk/architecture/ C b ob Jarvis critical studio environment. This along University of Huddersfield study/pgschool/taught_masters/ t 020 7815 7353 residential study tours to European School of Art, Design & Architecture maud MA Urban Design (one year full time/ cities help to prepare students for Queen Street Studios One year full time MA in Urban Design two years part time) or PG Cert practice addressing the demands of Huddersfield HD1 3DH for postgraduate architects, landscape Planning based course including units our urban future. T 01484 472208 architects and town planners. The on place and performance, sustainable C Dr Ioanni Delsante programme has a strong design focus, cities as well as project based work and University College London E [email protected] integrates participation and related EU study visit. Part of RTPI accredited Development Planning Unit W www.hud.ac.uk/courses/full-time/ design processes, and includes programme. 34 Tavistock Square, London WC1H postgraduate/urban-design-ma/ international and regional applications. 9EZ MA; PgDip; PgCert in Urban Design (Full Newcastle University t 020 7679 1111 Time or Part Time). University of Strathclyde Department of Architecture, Planning C giulia Carabelli The MA in Urban Design aims to provide Department of Architecture and Landscape, Claremont Tower E [email protected] students with the essential knowledge Urban Design Studies Unit University of Newcastle, Newcastle The MSc Building and Urban Design in and skills required to effectively Level 3, James Weir Building upon Tyne NE1 7RU Development programme combines intervene in the urban design process; 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ t 0191 222 6006 cultural, social, economic, political and develop academic research skills, t 0141 548 4219 C g eorgia Giannopoulou spatial analysis in the effort to present including critical problem-solving and C Ombretta Romice e [email protected] a critical response to the growing reflective practice; facilitate design e [email protected] W www.ncl.ac.uk/apl/study/ complexities within the design and responses to the range of cultural, W www.udsu-strath.com postgraduate/taught/urbandesign/ production of urban realms. political, socio-economic, historical, The Postgraduate Course in Urban index.htm environmental and spatial factors. It Design is offered in CPD,Diploma The MA in Urban Design brings University College London also aims to promote responsibility and MSc modes. The course is design together cross-disciplinary expertise Bartlett School of Planning within urban design to consider the centred and includes input from a striking a balance between methods 22 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0QB wider impact of urban development and variety of related disciplines. and approaches in environmental T 020 7679 4797 regeneration. design and the social sciences in C Filipa Wunderlich University of Westminster the creation of the built environment. E [email protected] University of Northampton 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS To view the course blog: W www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/planning/ The University of Northampton t 020 7911 5000 ext 66553 www.nclurbandesign.org programmes Park Campus, Boughton Green Road C b ill Erickson The MSc/Dipl Urban Design & City Northampton NN2 7AL e [email protected] Planning has a unique focus on the T 01604 735500 MA or Diploma Course in Urban Design interface between urban design & city E sabine.coadyschaebitz@ for postgraduate architects, town planning. Students learn to think in northampton.ac.uk planners, landscape architects and critical, creative and analytical ways C sabine Coady Schaebitz related disciplines. One year full time or across the different scales of the city W www.northampton.ac.uk/study/ two years part time. – from strategic to local -and across courses/courses-by-subject/social- urban design, planning, real estate and sciences/integrated-urbanism-msc sustainability. MSc Integrated Urbanism: Eight Urban Design and Urbanism Modules plus Master Thesis to explore the complexities of creating and managing people-friendly sustainable urban environments.

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 EndpieceNews Grub Street

I used to teach architecture students with an urban designer called Mike Menzies, who also taught them environmental psychol- ogy. One thing I learnt from Mike was about Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs. This is often expressed as a pyramid of layers, with physiological needs being at the base, and self-actualisation being at the summit. One of the most basic physiologi- cal needs, if not the most basic, is to eat, and I think that is why I get impatient with food critics, who often elevate this funda- mental activity into something precious and rarified. (‘…..cakey drop scone topped with a sultry duck liver parfait, jammy damsons and tiny, frothy bouquets of elderflower’ - the Guardian). I can’t claim that this is totally rational, because if we need to eat then we should 1 eat as well as possible, and certainly our sensory needs (which are located some- where in that pyramid sandwich) can be satisfied by delightful combinations of taste, colour and texture which we can find in intelligently prepared and cooked food. No, I think my impatience, and my switching off Radio 4 every time Jay Rayner comes on, is at least partly to do with my stubborn preju- dice for the ordinary and the artisanal over high art. I liked Frank Gehry in the 1970s when he made buildings out of corrugated steel and chain-link fencing – less so in the 1990s when he could afford to use titanium. I often use Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes, but also I often expediently miss out items from his long lists of ingredients. His recipes are rooted in the artisanal, but I suspect that Turkish peasants too may not always have ready access to pomegranate molasses and four different kinds of tomato. So I am very inclined to favour street food, a genre which at its best I take to be characterised by a combination of excel- lence and lack of pretension. In Digbeth we have had since 2012 the Digbeth Dining 2 Club (DDC), an event which happens every food is excellent, and in the past two years also coined the formula place = space + use, Friday evening starting around 5.30pm. It is DDC has won the Best Food Event in the UK which I stole a long time ago, and which is in a yard across the street from the Custard award at the British Street Food Awards. blu-tacked to my studio wall. The DDC has Factory, squeezed in between the railway I think that what is satisfying about turned a left-over space into a place, and it viaduct and the new workspace building, the DDC is that there is a correspondence is one of the strange mosaic of places that also in blue brick, called Rhubarb. Opening between the nature of the event and the makes this quarter. off the yard is a big room in one of the via- nature of the quarter that accommodates • duct arches, where there is a licensed bar it. Both have an authenticity (a danger- Joe Holyoak, architect and urban designer and rows of trestle tables and benches. ous word, I know, because it invites one to In the yard each Friday there are five or suspect one is being sold the opposite), six food stalls, selected in changing combi- both are rather rough-edged and make a nations by the organisers from a heteroge- virtue out of unexpected juxtapositions and neous list which includes The Original Patty a degree of opportunism and transience. Man, Canoodle, Manila Munchies, The Hun- The day after my last visit I was at Moseley gry Toad, Habaneros, Platinum Pancakes, Farmers’ Market, buying Warwickshire and Fat Duck Spuds, Spectacular Goat, and The Worcestershire potatoes, broad beans, Vegan Grindhouse. By 6.00pm it is seriously rhubarb and cheese, and there is also a crowded and noisy in both spaces, a bit too similar fit between event and place there. If noisy for me when the DJ on the edge of you were to try to transfer one event to the 1-2 The Digbeth Dining the street starts up as well. The quality of other place, it wouldn’t entirely work. Mike Club, Birmingham

Urban Design ― Autumn 2015 ― Issue 136 Opportunities in Urban Design

Have you trained in urban design or related design discipline? Interested in developing your career in urban design?

Savills Urban Design is an award winning design studio looking to recruit high quality and innovative designers as part of its national graduate scheme.

From October 2014, Savills will be launching the next intake of its National Urban Design Graduate Scheme. This will be an opportunity to gain extensive experience and career development within an innovative multi-disciplinary development consultancy.

Graduate Scheme applications open October 1st and close December 11th

For more information apply on line: www.savills.co.uk/graduates Or contact: Email – [email protected]

Follow us on: Twitter – @SavillsGraduate

For all other opportunities, please contact: Peter Frankum Head of Urban Design on 023 8071 3900 or [email protected]

London Cambridge Southampton Oxford

Peter Frankum James Rennie Chris Odgers Andrew Raven e [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] t 020 3320 8242 t 01223 347 260 t 023 8071 3960 t 01865 269 045 savills.com/urbandesign

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