Successful European Eco-town research

 

17.07.2008

 

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS SUCCESSFUL EUROPEAN MODELS HOLD THE KEY TO UK ECO-TOWN DEVELOPMENT

  • Research group identifies 4 overriding principles to facilitate success of eco-towns
  • European exemplar schemes all demonstrate 6 critical success factors under broad themes relating to connectivity, community, climate change, character, cash flow and collaboration
  • Research group identifies 29 steps to improve success of eco-towns or new housing-led community development
  • Research comprised detailed studies of developments in Amersfoort (Holland), Adamstown (Ireland), Hammarby Sjostad (Sweden), Freiburg, Hafen City and Kronsberg (Germany)

New research analysing some of today’s exemplary European eco-town projects has identified critical factors behind each development’s independent success – PRP, URBED and Design for Homes have launched their initial findings as they feel these results could hold the key to UK eco-town development. These emerging research results were released as the government concluded its first consultation on its paper, Eco Towns: Living a Greener Future.

Having analysed the projects under the themes of connectivity, community, climate proofing, character, cash flow and collaboration, the team identified four key principles for success:

Vision. The UK can avoid making further mistakes by learning from Europe and earlier British experience with new communities, particularly as far as the location and mix of uses and tenures is concerned.

Planning. A properly funded and comprehensive masterplan in spatial, social and economic terms must provide the long-term direction needed to give investors confidence, along with enough flexibility to allow for changing circumstances.

Implementation. There has to be a driving force for the life of the project that will secure the commitment of communities and investors alike, and realise the agreed vision in terms of quality and well-being.

URBED director, Nicholas Falk, commented: “Successful European eco-towns are closely linked to thriving urban conurbations, where there is a demand for housing. None of the projects we looked at is a stand-alone settlement. All are either urban extensions or at least reasonably close to a major conurbation, with excellent public transport, cycle routes and footpaths leading to an urban centre.

“Furthermore, these “connected “places are able to share their economic, social and transport infrastructure from day one. They are close to cities that are growing, and are located where there is not only housing need, (and hence the need to provide affordable homes), but close to places where there is strong demand as attractive places to live.”

PRP consultant, Simon Kaplinsky, said, “We believe there has been a disconnection between the planning process and the means of delivery in the UK. We have an abundance of guidance and exhortation at central government level which is directed towards a mainly sceptical housebuilding industry. At a local level, the planning system has to do with development control and little to do with the vision and aspirations of the local community. The European examples we’ve studied have managed to achieve far more collaborative ways of working which are more efficient and have yielded better results, more quickly,”