Quattro debates future city living

A lively debate has taken place on the future of city living on housing, health, transport, energy, food security and climate change, at Quattro's 25 years in practice celebrations in Bristol.

An audience of 120 were present at the discussions at the Watershed Media Centre, and were chaired by well-known publisher Alistair Sawday.

The panel featured...

- Helen Holland, former leader of Bristol City Council.

- John Pontin, entrepreneur.

- Bill Gething of architects FCB.

- Jo Gipps, director of Bristol Zoo Gardens.

Clients, contractors and consultants that work with Quattro were invited to reflect on the future and to put their ideas forward about meeting the challenges ahead.

Bill Gething predicted changes in lifestyles, with people and goods travelling less, adding; "In 25 years it will be clearer as to what we should have done".

"We will have experienced energy shortages and have been affected by climate change.

Helen Holland, former leader of Bristol City Council and current leader of the Labour party in Bristol, highlighted the need to create cities that will be both sustainable and inclusive.

Using Whitchurch Park, the ward that she has represented for 18 years, as an example, Councillor Holland highlighted the high level of deprivation and low levels of educational attainment.

She concluded by asking if; "In 25 years time, is the sustainable city that we work so hard to achieve going to be inclusive".

Jo Gipps of Bristol Zoo, considered the importance of biodiversity and creating green cities.

He highlighted the need to engage children in planning for the future.

John Pontin treated the audience to his imaginative vision for 2035 which signalled the need for energy bonds to finance renewable technologies in the same way that building societies financed housing in the last century.

Speaking about the event, Hugh Nettelfield, director of Quattro Design said; "When we founded Quattro 25 years ago, areas of Bristol city centre were like ghost towns in the evenings because no one actually lived there".

"Since then housing has been introduced, public spaces have been transformed and it all feels so much safer".

"This event gave us the chance to take time out together and reflect on where we are heading".

"I think that in 25 years we will have re-discovered how important communities really are".

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