Harlow Civic Society believes that with investment, transport, infrastructure and jobs, it can become an exemplary green town, and while you can simply read more about these aspirations in the latest issue of Context, No 162, themed on New Towns, a big CPD opportunity is also on offer if you consider how its principles might inspire your work or understanding.
image: Context 162, p27, Tony Evans – No 4 Forebury Lane by Sheppard Robson, winner of the Residential Architectural Award 2018
Tony Evans writes:
Harlow new town was designed from the outset as a self-contained community providing housing, employment, leisure and public services. It is a precursor of the sustainable communities that the 21st century demands to best use precious land and resources. The guiding principles behind the design of Harlow remain pertinent today…..
The original master plan for the town, drawn up by Gibberd in 1947, provided for a series of neighbourhoods, each having all life’s daily needs within walking distance. These neighbourhoods are separated by landscaped areas (known as green wedges), which bring the countryside within easy reach of all residents. This is a fundamental part of the town’s design. Features such as existing roads, historic sites, woods and ponds were retained, as were the small country town of Harlow and other local settlements.
Art is integral to the town. From the 1950s, the Harlow Art Trust acquired works by up-and-coming sculptors, yielding a collection of sculptures of national significance sited throughout the town. At the end of 2010 Harlow became the world’s first sculpture town, celebrating this and other sculpture collections in Harlow.
We would summarise the principles of the master plan that we seek to promote as:
- development in neighbourhoods, each with a detailed plan under the overall master plan
- high-quality urban planning, design and architecture
- local facilities within walking distance
- access to open spaces and public art
- landscape design and green infrastructure as a fundamental component
- sensitive incorporation of any existing settlements.
These principles have enabled Harlow to become a mature and successful town…
…. In our view it is now even more important that the principles underpinning the Gibberd master plan are carried through in the new developments.
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