PRP launches European eco-towns research results

New research reveals successful European models hold the key to uk eco-town development and identifies 29 steps to improve their success.

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.

* Resourcing.

Ways of funding social and physical infrastructure in advance of development must be found.

* 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".

Chris Wilford, Associate Director, PRP, added: "The concept of eco-towns has aroused great interest but has also generated considerable scepticism and opposition to particular proposals.

Eco-towns should be exemplary places that help drive standards up.

The premise behind our European studies has been to learn from places that have achieved such success and, more importantly, have been building better and larger homes, at a much faster rate than the UK has yet to achieve.

Large scale examples have been hard to find in the UK; particularly, completed schemes with contented communities, such as we have found in Europe".

Under the headings of the "6C's" the three research partners have identified 29 recommendations which they believe, if followed, could increase the chances of success if applied to emerging eco-towns or indeed to any new housing-led community development.

These include:.

* Connectivity.

Choosing the right location, close to and well connected with existing conurbations.

* Community.

Allow local responses to develop with sufficient time for community engagement.

* Climate Proofing.

Focus on simple and robust house design strategies which are future proof and combine with area wide energy, water and waste programmes front funded by ESCO's and MUSCO's.

* Character.

Create family friendly places with variety and choice in design and high quality public realm.

* Collaboration.

Make best use of scarce resources by developing more collaborative ways of working.

* Cash Flow.

Develop new models for development which provide infrastructure early and allow landowners to benefit from value uplift and sales proceeds.

Six places were selected for the study - Adamstown near Dublin, Ireland, a private initiative in a rural area; Amersfoort, a small historic city in the Netherlands with its three suburbs (Nieuwland, Vathorst and Kattenbroek; Freiburg, Germany with its two new urban extensions, Vauban and Freiburg; Hafen City in Hamburg, the redevelopment of a port area; Kronsberg in Hanover, Germany, designed as part of the Expo 2000 international exhibition; and Hammarby Sjostad, an urban extension of Stockholm that was once promoted as the site for an Olympic Games bid.

The final research results will be launched in September this year, at which time PRP, Urbed and Design for Homes intend to present how the difficult economics of eco-towns might be made to work.

To obtain a copy of the final report in September 2008, contact vanessa.clarke@prparchitects.co.uk.

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