RUDI quick links guide: what can we learn from new communities in the run-up to eco town development?
RUDI quick links guide: what can we learn from new communities in the run-up to eco town development?
The government is spearheading a new era in town-building. Ten environmentally friendly settlements of up to 10,000 homes each are already on the drawing board and, with 50 further bids for future ‘eco town’ status now submitted, that number looks set to rise. Over the past 25 years, the settlements that are the precursors of the UK’s proposed eco towns have been slowly developing.
Many of the proposed new settlements have met with stiff local opposition, a common concern being that existing villages will be swallowed up by the new scheme. As a result efforts are being made to segregate them from new settlement. This issue has come up at Cranbrook, Northstowe, Hanham Hall and Sherford, and could lead to a lack of integration that has already affected Cambourne.
There are serveral leasons to learn:
Time to delivery: New communities take a long time to plan and build
External connections are key: As with most schemes, there is strong recognition that external connections will be key and will be carefully planned
Long term management: Another key issue is the need for a new kind of agency to manage the long term development of the settlement
Design codes: There is a danger that design codes can be over prescriptive and limit the variety of designs in a development
Changing land ownership and developer models:
Much of today’s land is in private ownership and private-sector models being are used to promote housing development and the provision of facilities. These are likely to include local energy companies to achieve targets for the use of renewables.
A new generation of private sector developer is emerging, prepared to go beyond the traditional housebuilder role to promote a whole settlement; advancing the funds for a range of services on the basis that they will enhance the quality of their development.
See below for overviews and quick links to some of RUDI's relevant content.
Click here to access RUDI content on new communities
Click here to access RUDI content on zero carbon development
Click here to access RUDI content on eco towns
