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Urban Design Update 7th January 2009

13th Jan 2009

Urban Design Update for your information. RoyF Roy Fairclough TAG National Secretary Bluewaters Andurn Down Thomas Plymouth PL9 0AT TAG National Secretary 07887710272 www.tagonline.co.uk P Please consider the environment before printing From: Info@urban-design-group.org.uk [mailto:Info@urban-design-group.org.uk] Urban Design Update 7th January 2009 for everyone who cares about life in cities towns and villages Latest information from around the globe on new policy, law, research, jobs and events that affect designing, managing and maintaining life in cities, towns and villages – plus weekly monitor of government websites in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – with html links to the sources. (click on the light grey text) In this edition of urban design update News and research · Moods spread through communities · Parking meters go · Call for satellite speed control of vehicles · Concern mounts over future of place-based retail Government round up · England – road traffic forecasts to 2025 · England – Port master plans guidance published · Ireland - Planning guidance on residential development published Next events Tuesday 20th January - 3.00pm - 7.00pm with drinks reception Manual for Main Streets – Manual for Streets v Design Manual for Roads and Bridges – UDG/IHIE Venue - London W1B Speakers - Alan Young, WPS & Steve Proctor, TMS Consulting Free event – but booking required! http://www.ihie.org.uk/events/mfs-vs-dmrb-join-the-debate/index.html Wednesday 21ST January – 6.00 for 6.30 @ UDG- Cowcross Street Design for Play and Education In recent years, there has been much research into the impact of physical environment on the development of children, thus bringing design for children increasingly to the fore. There is growing appreciation of how considered design can aid the education process and the importance of creating stimulating spaces for play. Our speakers will discuss their experiences in this area. Peter Owens from Colour: Urban Design Ltd will present his research undertaken at Peases West Primary School, Wear Valley, which involved him assessing the impact of landscape design on teaching and learning processes. Walter Jack, of Walter Jack Studio, will give an insight into his public realm projects which involve creating playable spaces and forms. Tim Gill – leading UK authority on children, play and the public realm will be speaking from the heart. £5, £2-UDG members, £1-students Wednesday 28th January, 7pm UDG East Midlands 2009 Inaugural Event Venue: LEWISANDHICKEY ARCHITECTS, 11 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 6LB Laura Alvarez, Regional Convenor, warmly invites all interested parties to the first informal regional gathering of UDG East Midlands, with the aim to discuss and develop an agenda for 2009 Regional Urban Design events and activities. We would really appreciate it if you could confirm attendance. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to make comments or highlight topics for discussion please e-mail us. It is our intention that during 2009 we will gather on a monthly basis on a day and time convenient to most. laura.alvarez@lewishickey.com 10 February – 4.30-7.00 Emotional well-being and public space Arts Council (London regional offices) 2 Pear tree Court, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0DS An event intended to enable practitioners in urban design to meet people from the health and education sectors, and exchange ideas on policy and funding. FREE, but Booking required: email well-being-event@urban-design-group.org.uk Watch past UDG events on-line Latest Rob Cowan – Design and Access Statements Explained http://www.urbannous.org.uk/udg/indexudgrobcowan.htm Other past UDG events on the UrbanNous website Kevin Lynch Memorial Lecture: Birmingham Big City Plan – Kelvin Campbell http://www.urbannous.org.uk/udg/udgkl2/kc/indexudgkl2kc.htm Reinventing Seaside Towns – Chris Hall – GVA Grimley http://www.urbannous.org.uk/udg/udgch/indexudgch.htm for a full listing please visit http://www.urbannous.org.uk/udgevents.htm Sponsored by ROGER EVANS ASSOCIATES and urbaninitiatives UDG Liverpool Conference presentations now available to download http://www.urban-design-group.org.uk/udg2/conference-2008-urban-connectivity.htm Jobs / Positions wanted To advertise a job on the Urban Design Group website, please contact Louise Ingledow at Urban Design Services Ltd. on 020 7250 0892. Email: udsl@udg.org.uk Happy New Year – from Duncan Ecob, UDG Chair It is going to be a tough year ahead for all of us with the uncertainty of the financial markets. However there is nothing new in this. The construction and development industry has had a history of being wrapped up in economic cycles, and as we weathered them in the past, we will again. The fact is there will always be a need for urban design: the population continues to grow, and the demographic structure continues to change; there is the need to redesign urban areas to cope with a low carbon economy, and to adapt to a system of trading based increasingly on the internet. There is no question that there will be a long-term need for people who are skilled in urban design the art of making places and of shaping the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages; So let’s look to a positive future. The UDG is committed playing its part by supporting everyone involved in urban design by providing its services at as low a cost as possible. - we hope to launch the "recognised practitioner in urban design" as soon as possible to give added status to those who consider they need it and have the necessary skills and experience. - we will be running a continued programme of events through the year, many of which will be available on-line, thanks to the sponsorship of Roger Evans and Urban Initiatives - the Urban Design Directory will be published later in the year along with our four editions of Urban Design. - we will continue to campaign for better quality in urban design. I would like to wish everyone good fortune in the coming year. Duncan Photography in the public realm…the legal position – or can I be arrested as a terrorist? Many of us are becoming concerned about where we stand when taking photos. Last year Bob Chandler who runs the Urban Design Forum in Australia and was visiting the UDG, (www.udf.org.au/ ) was stopped by the police while taking photographs of the public realm. So here is the legal position, as far as we can determine: ….according to the Association of Chief Police Officers, the law is straightforward. "Police officers may not prevent someone from taking a photograph in public unless they suspect criminal or terrorist intent. Their powers are strictly regulated by law and once an image has been recorded, the police have no power to delete or confiscate it without a court order. This applies equally to members of the media seeking to record images, who do not need a permit to photograph or film in public places," a spokeswoman said. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/photographers-criminalised-as-police-abuse-antiterror-laws-1228149.html However it seems the current ACPO guidance is not available on their website, this 2006 version was the best we could find: http://www.epuk.org/News/10/bppa-nujcij-herald-new-deal-with-met also this extract from Hansard 16 July 2008 : Column 1239 Lord Bassam of Brighton: My Lords, the freedom of the press and media is one of the bedrocks of democracy in this country. Although police officers have the discretion to ask people not to take photographs for public safety or security reasons, the taking of photographs in a public place is not subject to any rules or statute. There are no legal restrictions on photography in a public place and no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place. There are no current plans to review this policy. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80716-0001.htm Q. How do you convince a policeman that you are guiltless of criminal or terrorist intent? A. Carry a copy of the latest edition of “Urban Design” and try to encourage them to join the Urban Design Group. Capacitycheck available to download or as hard copy Capacitycheck has been developed as a method of identifying the astonishingly wide range of skills that may need to be brought to bear in quality placemaking. It can act as an aid to personal development, or helping to identify the skills needed when procuring services. Copies of the Capacitycheck method can be downloaded on www.capacitycheck.co.uk which also contains details of how to obtain hard copies. Urban Design Alliance www.udal.org.uk Partners in quality placemaking Events Diary 2009 events… 3-5 March 2009 London Ecobuild http://www.ecobuild.co.uk 21-23 April 2009 Professional Certificate in the Design & Management of the Public Realm – Spring course - PRIAN-IHIE www.publicrealm.info 21-23 April 2009 Street Design 2009 http://www.streetdesignuk.com/ 22- 24 April, 2009 - England Second International Conference on Whole Life Urban Sustainability and its Assessment - Call for Papers Abstracts are invited covering any of the following conference themes: § Urban planning and design for sustainability § Sustainable buildings: design, performance and assessment § Quality of life in the urban environment § Stakeholder participation § Urban sustainability and the move to low carbon developments § Measures, assessment theory, complexity and uncertainty http://sue-mot.org Urban Design London Training Season – Third season The season runs until March 09. There are over 40 different events, from foundation level seminars to master-classes and guided site visits. During the last season there were over 800 individual learning sessions with people coming from 84 organisations including 32 of London's 33 Boroughs. If you would like to get involved, please book at www.urbanevents.org.uk or go to www.urbandesignlondon.com Government Round-up Ireland New energy rating system in place for all homes for sale or rent from January 1st 2009 http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/News/MainBody,19176,en.htm Statutory Sustainable Residential Development Planning Guidelines published http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/PlanningDevelopment/Planning/News/MainBody,19174,en.htm €24m for Recycling Initiatives for local authorities in 2008 http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Waste/News/MainBody,19167,en.htm Scotland Community right to buy Ross-shire residents have made the 100th registration to buy local land under the community right to buy legislation. Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides an opportunity for communities to register an interest in and then buy land when it comes up for sale. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/12/31101355 England Port master plans – Dft publishes guidance http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/portspolicyreview/portmasterplans/guidanceportmasterplans1 Delivering A sustainable transport system: the logistics perspective Government strategy on freight distribution for the UK http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/dastslogisticsperspective.pdf Road traffic forecasts to 2025 This report presents the latest Department for Transport forecasts of road traffic growth, plus the associated congestion, journey times and emissions. The estimates are for England and are provided up to 2025. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/economics/ntm/roadtransportforcasts08/ Definition of Zero Carbon Homes: Impact Assessment http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/zerocarbondefinitionia Fair Rules for Strong Communities http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/fairrulesforstrongcommunities Delivering Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods - A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/housingageingsociety News and Research Beware what you read! This section of the newsletter focuses on reports on latest research, but it is important to remember that what gets printed is not always correct. And this is a theme picked up by the media over the New Year. An article from the Guardian warned about the way the media report research findings, or verify the basis of claims made. “We saw the Sunday Express claiming on its front page that an impressive government adviser called Dr Roger Coghill had performed scientific research, and found that the Bridgend suicide cases all lived closer to a mobile phone mast than average. This was an issue of great public health significance, but when I contacted the researcher - he wasn't really a government adviser - he explained he wasn't a doctor, he couldn't tell me what he meant by average, and he had, in a twist of almost incomprehensible ridiculousness, "lost" the data.” http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/27/bad-science-2008-media-roundup There has been a debunking of the detox: “Alice Tuff, from Sense About Science, added: "It is ridiculous that we're seeing a return to mystical properties being claimed for products in the 21st Century” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7808348.stm What has all this to do with urban design and the public realm? Mystical properties have been claimed for various components of the public realm ranging from chromium yellow boxes painted in front of cashboxes that supposedly reduce crime, the Feng shui of the Traffic Signs Manuals, and the health giving properties of white road lining, through to policies on integrating land-use and movement or on waste management. In fact if yellow boxes are so effective at demoralising criminals, why restrict their use to cashpoints? All we need to do to rid our streets of crime is to identify the houses where criminals reside, paint a yellow box immediately in front of the criminal front door, and the criminals within will be unable to venture out. The serious questions are, how much of this stuff is genuinely based on robust evidence? Where is the evidence based policy? Where is evidence based design? It points to the importance for the practitioner in urban design of possessing an open, inquiring mind, that is independent of doctrine and dogma. Built Environment Shade trees reduce energy use For $25 pa saving effect at Californian latitudes plant within 40 ft of southern side of house, or 60ft of the western side. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-01/ufsp-css010509.php Planning permission given for 9ft wide Bury St Edmond’s house http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3916601/Narrowest-house-in-Britain-will-be-just-9ft-wide.html St Martin’s in the field development and restoration reviewed http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/4126273/St.-Martins-in-the-Fields-a-triumph-of-divine-inspiration.html Report takes issue with Leicestershire Eco-town http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3966142/Eco-town-proposals-receive-fresh-blow.html Are the mistakes of post war High-Rise housing being repeated in the Thames Gateway – Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/28/communities-planning Name streets to inspire young, councils urged Local councils urged to drop a "dull and uninspiring" obsession with trees and fields when naming streets. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/22/social-exclusion-communities-street-names Hotel of the future http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7795601.stm Property rights awarded by Charles II net Duke £280,000 easement sparks feudal row It's time that Parliament reviewed the powers of feudal lordships” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5461894.ece Natural Environment State of water resources report issued by the Environment Agency. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/29/water-shortage-england-wales-meters Scotland prepares to host Europe's first 'dark sky park' http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/dec/23/astronomy-galloway-dark-sky-park Further warnings of globalisation of plant pests http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/conservation/4045774/Oak-tree-deaths-herald-new-pest-threat-to-traditional-plants-Kew-curator-warns.html Landscape paintings used to provide insight on coastal erosion http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7790416.stm Movement Child–Parent Interaction in Relation to Road Safety Education – Dft Research report findings Report suggests that parents tend to try to control rather than explain. Quiet streets are valued. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme1/no102safetyreportfindings.pdf Motorists face £60 fines and three points on licence for minor accidents http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/3919223/Motorists-face-60-fines-and-three-points-on-licence-for-minor-accidents.html Where you sit on a bus discloses your personality Forward-minded people tend to sit at the front of the top deck, according to Dr Tom Fawcett of Salford University, the independent-minded in the middle and those with a rebellious streak at the rear. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/4109071/The-people-on-the-bus-are-...-of-diverse-personalities.html Legal Challenge to UK Speed Cameras http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/4059922/Speed-cameras-could-be-illegal.html Japanese-style bullet trains to run in UK ‘within 20 years’ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5404369.ece Railway hub proposed for Heathrow Proposals for a £4.5 billion station called the Heathrow hub, which could slash more than two hours off train journeys from some British cities to European destinations. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5439472.ece Drivers to have 10 year health checks http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/4016444/Drivers-to-have-10-year-health-checks-under-driver-licence-reforms.html 'Speed control' devices should be installed in cars, say campaigners http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article5418016.ece Parking meters consigned to history Approximately 3,500 meters have been uprooted from central London. Of the 800 left, all will be gone by early next year, replaced by chip and pin and mobile phone technology instead. Groups of parking bays now feature a sign with a code that drivers must text in, along with their credit card details http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/4029123/Time-runs-out-for-the-parking-meter.html Humans, Health and Society Food companies corrupting minors over healthy eating habits http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/ode-to-vimto-how-food-companies-are-teaching-schoolchildren-to-love-their-products-1215061.html Japanese pet tax postulated http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/4006616/Animal-loving-Japanese-face-new-pet-tax.html Pets tend not to be an objective for urban design, notwithstanding the fact that many people own them, and that dogs are one of the top reasons Risk takers seek thrills to compensate for less responsive brain http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/4014721/Risk-takers-seek-thrills-to-compensate-for-less-responsive-brain.html Moods 'spread like ripples through friends' say scientists Each 'unhappy connection' decreased the chance of a person being happy by seven per cent. However, the effect works both ways with each 'happy connection' increasing the chance of a person's happiness by nine per cent. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4031530/Moods-spread-like-ripples-through-friends-say-scientists.html One in 10 16-to 25-year-olds believes life meaningless – Princes Trust Survey http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jan/05/mental-health-depression-young One in four British children living in poverty due to breakdown of traditional families ONS Report http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1095802/One-British-children-living-poverty-breakdown-traditional-families.html Religion linked to ability to help people exercise self-control Religion has and continues to influence the design of cities, towns and villages. Research paper from the University of Miami looks at the impact of religion on human behaviour, cooperation and self-control. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3V9yPcEJM British housewives spend nearly half their free-time online According to the Digital World Digital Life study, Britain said that on average 25 per cent of their friends were "online only friends http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/4046119/British-housewives-spend-nearly-half-their-time-online.html Study reveals gender differences in activity Girls tend to spend time in smaller groups and engage in verbal games, conversation and socialising. Most boys play in larger groups, which lend themselves more to physically active games, such as football. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-01/uoe-srl010509.php Energy and Climate Change Risk of runaway climate change that would lead to loss of oceans and ultimately all life on earth http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/12/nasa-scientist-warns-of-runawa.html Climate change … time for plan B http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-scientists-its-time-for-plan-b-1221092.html Controversy over Severn Barrage tidal power options assessment http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/05/severn-barrage-consultation Tackling climate change with new permits to pollute Proposals published in the Journal of Environmental Economics – January 2009 edition http://reep.oxfordjournals.org/ http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-01/oup-tcc010509.php Technology Wi-tricity http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/ces/4109128/Wi-Tricity-gadgets-to-be-unveiled-at-CES.html Economics The high street must find life after shopping http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/libby_purves/article5408244.ece Zombie high streets http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1102170/Zombie-alert-suburbs-Woolies-dies.html Up to 1 in 10 high street shops will close before end of February Market towns expected to be worse hit. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/desolation-row-the-demise-of-one-town-1230052.html Will place-based retail will witness an acceleration of the impact of internet trading during 2009, and will shops that close now never reopen? Is it true that market towns and small parades of shops will be hardest hit, or is it out of town facilities that have most to fear? Chance favours the prepared mind. Food production needs 'fundamental rethink' A sustainable global food system in the 21st Century needs to be built on a series of "new fundamentals". According to Prof Tim Lang of the City University, the present system was created in response to the 1930s dustbowl and the food shortages of the 1940s and 50s. The challenges to be addressed now are - Oil and energy - Water scarcity - Biodiversity - Urbanisation http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7795652.stm Internet is not leading to highly diversified market with multiple suppliers – at least as far as music is concerned. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5380304.ece It has sometimes been thought that the internet could create what Adam Smith would have described as a “Perfect Market” Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3794281/The-Museum-of-Brands-Packaging-and-Advertising.html And finally Prankster puts the P into Public conveniences Nottingham City Council is now urging the public to ignore the notices that state “Public Urination Permitted After 7.30pm" that have been erected by a prankster. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7798194.stm This e-mail newsletter is sent to members of the Urban Design Group and to people who share a common interest in improving life in cities, towns and villages. If you don’t want to receive it, please reply to this email, or phone Robert or Louise at the Urban Design Group on 020 7250 0892. Urban Design Group 70 Cowcross Street London EC1M 6EJ admin@udg.org.uk

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