Placemaking in Practice – Learning from International Exemplars George Weeks Prince s Foundation Graduate Fellow Urban Designer at Transport for London
Published in January 2011
Structure of Presentation 1. Why was the research necessary? 2. How did we answer the question? 3. What were the salient points?
Why was it necessary? We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need. Intended national outcome from Scottish Government s National Performance Framework identifies
But! Too much development in Scotland is a missed opportunity and of mediocre or indifferent quality. There are a few examples of new or regenerated places which are well thought out, some fine new buildings and smaller projects that are to be welcomed but they are the exception rather than the rule. The ultimate test of an effective planning system is the maintenance and creation of places where people want to be. We need to rise to that challenge
Scottish Government s Council of Economic Advisers, First Annual Report, 2008
The Question What really matters in the delivery of high quality places?
Some numbers • 68 SSCI nominees analysed (11 of which exemplars) • 35 case studies shortlisted • 8 case studies identified (4 English, 4 European) • 4 months research (plus write-up) • 3 research staff • 2 client representatives (A+DS & RICS) • 1 expert panel (client reps plus 6 professionals)
Four Case Studies in England Castlefield (Britannia Basin), Manchester
Allerton Bywater, Leeds
Upton, Northamptonshire
Newhall, Harlow, Essex
Castlefield (Britannia Basin), Manchester
500 homes, retail and office space close to Manchester City Centre.
Upton, Northamptonshire
1,350 homes on 43 ha new neighbourhood, with primary school and shops, forming part of south-west extension of Northampton
Allerton Bywater, nr. Leeds, Yorkshire
520 homes, plus 25,000 m² of commercial space, on a 23 hectare former colliery site near Leeds
Newhall, Harlow, Essex
550 new homes on 100 ha site, east of Harlow, Essex, forming first phase of much larger development comprising 2,500 homes, including primary school, shops, facilities and employment space
Four Case Studies Overseas Adamstown, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Hammarby Sjรถstad, Stockholm, Sweden
IJburg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vauban, Freiburg, Germany
Adamstown, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
New town of around 10,000 homes, west of Dublin, with schools and other social infrastructure and 125,000 m² of commercial space on a 224 hectare site
IJburg, Amsterdam Netherlands
Complete neighbourhood of 20,000 homes, with everything library, parks, activities, sports activities/centres, schools etc, built on artificial islands on eastern edge of Amsterdam
Hammarby-SjĂśstad, Sweden
Mixed use 200 hectare waterside development of 10,800 apartments for 20-25,000 people at Stockholm, 200,000m² of commercial space, plus schools, libraries, ski slopes, parks and open space and tram lines.
Vauban, Germany
Mixed use neighbourhood of 1,800 homes (plus 600 student units) providing some 600 jobs. Facilities include primary school, kindergartens, shops, supermarkets, community centre, market square, child play spaces, sports field, various local services, plus cafes and restaurants. Neighbourhood served by tram running along main avenue
How? Research Process •
Pro-forma used to structure information gathering on case studies
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Background reading
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Travel to place
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Interviews undertaken (2 – 3 per project)
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Projects evaluated according to Building for Life criteria
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Three meetings held with Expert Panel over course of research, plus intervening correspondence
Answering the Question The ultimate test of an effective really planning matters system What in the delivery is the maintenance and creation of places highwhere quality places people want to be. We need to rise to that challenge
of
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Scottish Government s Council of Economic Advisers, First Annual Report, 2008
Report findings
The Answers Summary of key lessons n n n n n n n n
Ensure Good leadership Co-ordinate delivery Control the spatial development framework Achieve fast and co-ordinated regulatory approvals Exercise ownership power Attract funding for advance infrastructure provision Secure design quality through procurement strategies Thereafter: continue to invest and provide stewardship over time
Key Lesson 1 – Land Ownership ALL had land in single ownership or as a very few large holdings (public or private) • Economics • Long termism • Quality
Key Lesson 2 – Collaboration • Inherently multi party • Structure in place to collaborate • Openness, honesty, clarity, stability • REGULAR COMMUNICATION
Key Lesson 3 – Leadership • Place Promoters needed • Inspire a vision – inspire people • Prevent a relapse into standard product
Next Steps Scottish Government Learning Note Employers in Voluntary Housing Design Skills Symposium European Urban Knowledge Network
How? Summary of key lessons If Scotland wishes to create better places more often than before, politicians & those charged with delivery need to engage with market essentials by re-thinking public-sector commitment and investment to place quality
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Quality = Places
Thank you!