URBAN UPDATE
21st August 2015
Main news
from the Urban Design Group
New Jobs: London, Manchester Bristol, Surrey, Southampton, Oxford, Manchester,
Newcastle,
How tram systems boost development
Housing crisis - problem of funding smaller developers
Tactile paving consultation
Nuclear fusion in 10 years? Limitless energy??
London councils get powers to fix signs and streetlights to buildings, cutting
clutter
JOIN
A free service for all individuals and organisations who care about life in cities
towns and villages ………
planners – landscape architects – architects – conservation practitioners –
engineers –surveyors – masterplanners – managers – urban designers - urbanists
– health professionals - politicians – public
Urban design – the design of towns and cities – streets and spaces
│ ABOUT │ REGIONS │ UD UPDATE │ EVENTS │ STREET │ PUBLICATIONS │ JOURNAL │ PRACTICE INDEX │ UNIVERSITIES │ JOBS
Join the Urban Design Group
http://www.udg.org.uk/join
Trouble viewing this email? Download as.docx document
http://www.udg.org.uk/udupdate/news/urban-update-21-August-2015
The National Conference on Urban Design 2015 - Bristol 8-9-10 October
Development, Design and Profit in C21
Supported by
RICS - RTPI - RIBA
RSA - LI – AoU
Confirmed speakers include:
Chris Sharpe, Holistic City Software; David
Swallow; Debbie Sorkin, Leardership Centre;
George Grace, TownCentred; John Buxton,
Cambrian Transport Ltd; Julian Dobson, Urban
Pollinators; Julian Hart, Lancefield consulting;
Johnathan Shifferes, RSA; John Worthington;
Mike Roberts, HAB; Rob Cowan, Urban Design
Skills; Robin Hambleton, UWE, Roger Evans,
Studio | Real; Richard Hayward & Louise
Thomas; Yolande Barnes, Savills
Book now for the conference
http://www.udg.org.uk/events/national-urbandesign-conference-2015
“the most beautiful, interesting and distinguished city in England“ John Betjeman, 1961
“Best City to Live in 2014”– Sunday Times
Most Liveable City in UK - 2013
NB Bristol is a popular venue. Please book your accommodation early.
On the importance of making reasonable and rational decisions
The news a fortnight ago that an English minister for planning had had his policy on affordable housing declared unlawful is a reminder to anyone involved in the built
environment of the importance of making considered and balanced decisions. The policy, the court held,
- breached the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010
- failed to take into account material considerations
- failed to take the product of the public consultation on the policy conscientiously into account, and
- was irrational.
Full judgement: http://www.no5.com/cms/documents/JWI%20West%20Berkshire%20Judgment.pdf
Other examples have included Newham Council which had its streetscene guidance declared unlawful (Ali vs Newham 2012) for a failure to discharge its duties under the
Equality Act. The case provides a precedent for the meaning of “Due Regard” - “The test whether a decision maker has had due regard is a test of the substance of the
matter, not of mere form or box-ticking, and the duty must be performed with "vigour and an open mind” ; an "essential preliminary" to any important policy decision, not a
"rear-guard action following a concluded decision; if a risk of adverse impact is identified, consideration should be given to measures to avoid that impact before fixing on a
particular solution”.
Full Judgement - http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2012/2970.html
And there is of course the old favourite test for reasonableness, the “Wednesbury Unreasonableness” test, that asks whether an authority has:
- taken into account factors that ought not to have been taken into account, or
- failed to take into account factors that ought to have been taken into account, or
- made a decision so unreasonable that no reasonable authority would ever consider imposing it.
Further information on evidence based design and balanced decision making is available in the UK Guide on Highway Risk and Liability Claims 2009 – free to download:
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/en/utilities/document-summary.cfm?docid=3A9E12B3-EC43-4A5C-B7FCF77E38E6DB72
Urban Design Awards
– Developer Award
– Public Sector Award
Do you know any developers or
public bodies who you think
should enter the 2016 awards?
if so
Where do you read Urban Design? Photo competition!!
5th September Deadline!!
please let them know and
please encourage them to
enter!
Full details of how to apply:

Developer Award
Deadline 30 October 2015
http://www.udg.org.uk/content/urban-designdeveloper-year-award-2016-opportunity-enter



Public Sector Award
Deadline - 12 September 2015
http://www.udg.org.uk/content/public-sector-award
Student Award
£600 Francis Tibbalds Prize
Deadline 9 November 2015
http://www.udg.org.uk/content/national-urban-designawards-student-award
Shortlisting of practice awards is currently
underway
The Urban Design Group will award two prizes to the best photographs taken during this Summer and submitted before 5th
September 2015. The idea is to show interesting or original places in which members have read the journal. The
competition is open to individual UDG members and the photograph (only one per member) should be submitted as a jpg
at 300dpi for a minimum size of 190mm width, with your name, and the location of the photograph . The author of the best
photograph, to be chosen by the Editors, will be given a year's free subscription to the journal; the runner-up will be sent a
recent book about urban design and invited to review it for the journal. Both photographs will be published in the journal
and online on the UDG website.
Deadline 5th September - please email your entry to
Administration@udg.org.uk
Urban Design Week
19-27 September 2015
Theme for Urban Design Week 2015: Designing
Healthy Cities
The Urban Design Group has been campaigning on
designing healthy cities. We feel it is important to
formulate strategies for facilitating physical activity
across a range of interventions in the built
environment to create better quality places and
spaces for people that will contribute towards a more
sustainable and healthy city.
Urban Sketching in Castlefield
Wed 26th August 2015 at 17:50 for 18:00 start till approx. 20:30
The Landscape Institute and STREET NW | Urban Design Group
would like you to join us for an evening of sketching in Castlefield.
The evening will be hosted by Simone Ridyard, Manchester Urban
Sketcher and artist specialising in architectural illustrations and
landscape paintings inspired by the complexity of cities. Following
our sketching we will head to Dukes 92 to share our efforts and
enjoy a drink.
Further details
http://www.udg.org.uk/events/north-west/urban-sketching-castlefield-li-and-udg
If you are keen to run an event in urban design week
let us know and we will help publicise it for you.
Flyer
http://www.udg.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/Urban%20Sketching%20Event%20Flyer.pdf
More information on.
http://www.udg.org.uk/content/international-urban-design-week
Urban Design Current Edition
The City as Master Developer
Available to UDG Members by Subscription
Other events
Latest Lectures
on UrbanNous
The number of events is on the wane as we
approach the holiday period, but there are still
events to go to for those that seek them…
New
Weather in the City – How Design Shapes the
Urban Climate
Sanda Lenzholzer
http://www.urbannous.org.uk/climate-and-city-design.htm
All urban designers, architects planners, and
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Academy of Urbanism
http://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/events/
18 September
The Future of Drogheda
BOBMK Events
http://bobmk.org.uk/our-programme/
Next events autumn
MADE
http://www.made.org.uk/events/calendar/
Tame Past Present Future Exhibition – the
industrial heritage of an oft forgotten era
highway engineers should have a knowledge of this
subject.
Revitalisation of Silicon Valley CBD – “The
Urban Oasis”, Beijing, China
Urbanism: Improving quality and value
The importance of product, land and money
Yolande Barnes - Savills
Wei Yang and Partners
http://www.urbannous.org.uk/urbanism-quality-and-value.htm
Garden Cities Past and Present.
Potential morphologies explored.
Dominic Papa S333 Architecture and Urbanism
http://www.urbannous.org.uk/garden-city-morphologies.htm
Garden Cities: Is there a Business Case?
Jim Coleman, Buro Happold
http://www.urbannous.org.uk/garden-city-economics.htm
Museum of Walking
Mindfulness through movement
Saturday 22 August 2015 10.30am –
12.00pm Start: Brockwell Park, London SE14
(meet outside the Lido) £15
Health and Urban Design
Lucy Saunders, GLA, TFL
http://www.urbannous.org.uk/health-and-urban-design.htm
https://www.ptrc-training.co.uk/Training/UpcomingCourses.aspx
UrbanNous Catalogue available on-line
Highlights include Christopher Alexander,
George Ferguson, Hans Monderman and
scores of others.
An Introduction to Highway Design &
Construction
The Principles of Traffic and Transport 20-Week
Evening Lecture Series, London and Bristol
Jobs
http://www.museumofwalking.org.uk/events/mindfulness-through-movement/
PTRC
Urban Design London
Events coming up – extensive programme some
free, some charged/£175+VAT (Free for
subscribers)
http://www.urbandesignlondon.com/?page_id=3251
Innovation in the City
1-4 September
www.urbannous.org.uk
Funded PhD - Bioregional and University of
Westminster
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/funded-phd-bioregional-and-university-westminster
Director/Associate Director, Urban Design or
Landscape Architecture - WYG – Manchester
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/north-west/directorassociate-director-urban-design-or-landscape-architecturewyg-manchester
Associate Director -WYG - London
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/london-and-south-east/associate-director-wyg-london
Housing Skills: Reviewing Housing Design
9th September
Cycling Infrastructure Skills: Commissioning
cycling projects – design and construction?
10th September
Urban Design Graduate - Hamilton-Baillie
Associates - Bristol
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/urban-design-graduate-hamilton-baillie-associates-bristol
Inspector of Historic Buildings, Places and Areas
(North East) - Heritage England
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/inspector-historic-buildings-places-and-areas-north-east-heritage-england
China’s “Silicon Valley” is located in the north west of Beijing,
surrounded by some 80 universities and colleges and a highly
skilled workforce of one million people. 20 years on, however, the
CBD of this premier national high-tech zone has gradually
deteriorated and is in urgent need of regeneration. WYP was one
of three top international firms selected to provide a conceptual
master plan to secure its long term success.
The WYP vision was to create an “Urban Oasis” to transform the
densely concentrated “concrete jungle” into a vibrant and
sustainable future community. There are three main objectives:
first, to re-position the CBD maximising its local performance
attributes in terms of world economic conditions and business
trends; second, to establish its unique identity by offering modern,
internationally competitive business space with a strong vernacular
culture; and third, to create a new model for the future of a high
density metropolis - a 21st century vertical Garden City. The
scheme prioritises the essence of natural living and leads the way
in thinking about the city of the future.
Our master plan has been highly praised for its forward-thinking
development strategies, inspirational design concepts and
commercially viable solutions. In an area about the same size of
Canary Wharf in London, a variety of functions combine to create
the urban oasis: office, hotel, retail, leisure, restaurants, art, music,
Design South East / Kent
Design
http://www.kentdesign.org/events/
Event Calendar
http://www.kentdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Event-Calendar-2015-16-edited-14.4.15.pdf
Designing Value in East Kent
17th September
Urbaniste Study Tour – Lille
11th September
Architecture and Design
Scotland
http://www.ads.org.uk/events
Selecting the Right Stone 8/09
The Grass is Always Greener 10/09
Head of Urban Design (Norwich) and Graduate
Urban Designer (Colchester & Norwich)
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/head-urban-design-norwich-and-graduate-urban-designer-colchester-norwich-0
Graduate Urban Designer - Broadway Malyan
Weybridge, Surrey
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/london-and-south-east/graduate-urban-designer
Opportunities for creative Urban Designers Savills Urban Design - Southampton - Oxford
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/opportunities-creative-urban-designers-savills-urban-design-southamptonoxford
Funded PhD - Bioregional + Oxford Brookes
http://www.udg.org.uk/jobs/funded-phd-bioregional-oxford-brookes
convention centre, exhibition space, education, sports facilities,
etc. All are supported by an integrated transit system and
sustainable technologies such as China’s first eco-friendly multistory car park and the biggest roof-top urban farm.
Read more
http://www.urbandesigndirectory.com/projects/revitalisation-silicon-valley-cbd-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9C-urban-oasis%E2%80%9Dbeijing-china
Urban Design around the World
Latest Research, Policy and Practice
China
Politics, Philosophy, Economics
Green envy: Hong Kong's grey urban environment put to shame by lush
Singapore
The Economic Development Argument for Trams
According to a 2008 report by the Portland transportation department and Portland
Streetcar, Inc., $3.5 billion worth of development occurred within two blocks of the
streetcar route since it was chosen in 1997. Within one block of the route, developers built
to an average of 90 percent of the allowable density, versus just 43 percent at three or
more blocks from the streetcar, a sign of the perceived value of property near the line.
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1850173/green-envy-hong-kongs-grey-urban-environment-put-shame-lush
Netherlands
How Amsterdam is Building the City of the Future
http://skift.com/2015/08/17/how-amsterdam-is-building-the-city-of-the-future/
https://nextcity.org/features/view/why-streetcars-arent-about-transit
The Crossrail effect: high-speed rail network is set to add £5.5 billion to property
values
http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/news/crossrail-effect-high-speed-east-west-rail-network-set-add-ps55-billion-property-values
New Zealand
Auckland's hell: Is there a way out?
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11498279
Giant street signs to be built in CBD
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/71235384/giant-street-signs-to-be-built-in-cbd
Why UK has a housing crisis – according to Bovis
 Not enough bricklayers, plumbers etc
 Increasing material prices
 Lack available finance for smaller developers – city does not like lending to small
developers
Article suggests a new model of development funded by pension companies who’s need
for long-term low risk returns matches the Buy to Let landlord market
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/bovis-doing-exactly-as-it-should-shows-why-we-have-a-housing-crisis-10459738.html
Singapore
Beautifying the Big Mango builds up steam
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/656504/beautifying-the-big-mango-builds-up-steam
Councils overcharging smaller developers millions on CIL – according to Federation
for Small Businesses
http://www.localgov.co.uk/Councils-overcharging-smaller-developers-millions/39274
Pitfalls of rent restraints: why Stockholm's model has failed many – ½ million on
waiting list
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/19/why-stockholm-housing-rules-rent-control-flat
UK
Government consults on changes to the use of tactile paving
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-guidance-on-the-use-of-tactile-paving-surfaces
Land Use Change Statistics Brown field land and South East EnglandSavills Report
http://pdf.savills.com/documents/20150814LandForNewHomes.pdf
George Osborne unveils plan for more village homes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33984089
Institute for Public Policy Research calls for the creation of Total
Transport Authorities
World should heed lessons from Hurricane Katrina, economist says
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/uow-wsh081915.php
The neural basis of the Machiavellians’ decision making in fair and unfair situation
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278262615000627
And a helpful article in the Daily Mail (for once)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3204104/Do-Machiavellian-mind-Researchers-brains-Frank-Underwood-trait-overdrive-s-opportunity-rip-off.html
Petition against 20mph limits in Bristol signed by 5000
The petition raises the issue of the protection of the rights and welfare of minorities and
minors. Raising speed limits would be counter to the public sector equality duty under the
Equality Act 2010, and would be likely in breach of the council’s duty of care to negligent
http://www.transport-network.co.uk/Think-tank-recommends-creation-of-total-transport-authorities/12064
road users and children.
http://www.localgov.co.uk/Council-forced-to-debate-20mph-limits-after-5000-sign-petition/39208
USA
Built Environment
The man who designed McKeldin Fountain learns of plans to tear it down
London Councils gain powers to fix streetlights and signs to buildings – subject to
56 days notice – building owners have right of appeal
http://www.citypaper.com/news/mobtownbeat/bcp-081915-mobs-mckeldin-20150818-story.html
http://bit.ly/1TXFSwP
Ten years after Katrina, a complicated culture of “experiments” continues
to shape New Orleans
Meat food waste has greater negative environmental impact than vegetable waste
http://www.citylab.com/design/2015/08/new-orleans-the-reluctant-city-laboratory/401144/
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/uom-mfw081315.php
Food waste in the USA runs at around 1500 Kilo Calories per persons – see below
How the new Mid City urban design standards will affect businesses,
residents
Frogs exposed to road salt appear to benefit then suffer
http://www.nola.com/business/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/08/how_the_new_mid_city_urban_des.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/cwru-fet081715.php
Health
Technology
Tiny House Movement Converging With 3D Printing
http://3dprint.com/88730/tiny-houses-meet-3d-printing/
Now driving urban design — driverless vehicles
http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/Now-driving-urban-design-driverless-vehicles-6443629.php
Is the Google Car "a design to improve life"?
http://www.treehugger.com/cars/index-google-car-design-improve-life.html
Energy and Climate Change
Improved LED lighting technology, cuts energy use and greenhouse gas
emissions, provides better colour rendering and is less dependent on
scarce resources
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/acs-ntc071715.php
MIT announces vision for “affordable, robust, compact” fusion power
plant
Claim is that a version could be produced that is a net generator of power within
10 years.
Five reasons why sugar is added to food
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150818131807.htm
Increased food energy supply is a major driver of the obesity epidemic: a global
analysis
In 56 countries, an increase in food energy supply was associated with an increase in
average body weight. The findings suggest that increases in food energy supply are
sufficient to explain increases in average population body weight, especially in high-income
countries.
A sustained increase in energy intake of 100 kJ (about 25 calories – or 1/3rd of a small
high-sugar biscuit) per day leads to a predicted increase of 1 kg body weight on average,
with half of the weight gain being achieved in about one year and 95% in about
three years.
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/93/7/14-150565/en/
It is very hard to exercise away excess calories.
New clues to the genetic origins of obesity - Researchers identify a pathway that
controls metabolism
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/bidm-nct081915.php
Exercise to prevent, manage diabetes is more effective for college graduates
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150819170900.htm
http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/news/10.1063/PT.5.8134
Carbon nanofibres made from CO2 in the air
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33998697
It is suggested that if scaled up this would be an effective way of removing
carbon dioxide – but there are sceptics. In effect the process creates anthracitic
coal out of air and sunlight. It would probably better not to burn the coal in the
Movement
Driving Alone: Census data show Americans are not giving up the car
http://www.treehugger.com/urban-design/driving-alone-census-data-show-americans-are-not-giving-car.html
first place
Britain’s cycle accident blackspots
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article4532280.ece
As well as tacking blackspots, safety for cyclists on the entire road network needs to be
improved.
This e-mail newsletter is sent to members of the Urban Design Group and to friends and colleagues who share a common interest in improving life in cities, towns and
villages. If you would like to receive a copy direct please email administration@udg.org.uk
If you don’t want to receive it, please reply to this email, or phone Robert at the Urban Design Group on 020 7250 0892.
Urban Design Group
70 Cowcross Street
London EC1M 6EJ