Sir Stuart Lipton on Place Making

Founder Chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment had some reflections on Place Making in yesterday’s Financial Times :

“Place-making is important, he says, referring to the village green concept, a communal civic space where people can congregate. An appropriate neighbourhood can reduce crime, enhance health and improve education….

“The biggest shift for me is that people want to work in more interesting places. Quality of life is the driving force. People want to have fun, not just turn up for work. Society has changed and people want to live and work in places that resemble their lifestyles rather than stuffy acres of marble in boring environments.””

Guardian of the Longbridge and the Foregate Bridge…

In Geoffrey Hill’s poem “Mercian Hymns”, the Anglo-Saxon ruler Offa is, amongst his other invocations, “Guardian of the Welsh Bridge and the Iron Bridge”, as well as “King… of the riven sandstone” and “Overlord of the M5″.

Returning to the present day Worcester context, I’ve noted the  auspicious sign of “surveyors” in the last few days beneath the Foregate Bridge, hopefully an indication that something constructive may be going to happen thereabouts. A small art gallery is due to open on station platform 1 with funding from the Railway Heritage Trust.

Given also the prospect of major regeneration at Longbridge, and capacity issues on the M5, it is  to be hoped that one day their “Guardian” will establish a good train service between ”the Longbridge and the Foregate bridge…”

Place Making & West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS)

At the South Worcestershire hearing of the draft Phase 2 WMRSS Examination (just finished), the Panel suggested “Place Making” be undertaken for the fringe areas between, in and around Worcester’s railway stations. Many Thanks to the Panel for this helpful suggestion.

Place Making appears to have 2 main connotations, both of which would be applicable in the present context :

1. Urban Design and Public Realm Work
2. Inward Investment & Destination Marketing

However, some commentators and practitioners assign even wider definitions : see www.pps.org from which the following is taken

“THINKING BEYOND THE STATION CAMPAIGN GOALS

The overarching goal of Thinking Beyond the Station is to fully integrate transit stations into the communities they serve through transit-supportive urban design, architecture, public art, and innovative management techniques. This involves educating transit planners, transit board members, and transit policy decision-makers about the elements that create vital places around transit stations and fee-for-service pilot projects to implement these principles.

The initiative also aims to educate the design and development community and the general public about transportation planning, urban design, and the opportunities to create community assets around public transit stations. In so doing, it will expand the understanding of the technical decisions such as alignment, station location and design factors that contribute to increased transit ridership and community value. Additionally, by advocating for policy changes that support the funding and construction of transit facilities, Thinking Beyond the Station provides real and tangible community benefits through the integration of transit facilities into surrounding communities.”

Incidentally, the above image correlates with Worcester’s current heatwave, although we would be looking for a more heritage-orientated design solution.

Welcome to Worcester Central !

Worcester Central Railway Stations & Regeneration Initiative

The primary aim of  ”Worcester Central” is to support work already programmed for Worcester’s 2 central areas railway stations at Foregate Street and Shrub Hill, and to secure further investment. A secondary aim is to encourage the sustainable regeneration of adjoining areas.

Network Rail planned improvements include additional car parking and “Access for All” facilities at Shrub Hill Station. Restoration of English Heritage-listed tile work on the exterior of the waiting room on Platform 3 has also been undertaken recently.

A further programme of improvements could include :
Conservation work to Foregate Street Bridge (Urgent !)
Additional station cycle parking eg outside former Post Office
Refurbishment of Foregate Station exterior and ticket hall(s)
Better signage to shopping centre and other attractions

Contact regarding the above and other possibilities has already been made with :
Department for Transport
Local authorities
Property Sector
Voluntary Groups

There is now a need to establish a “forum” to progress discussions with the railway authorities, and other organisations such as English Heritage, and Regen WM (an operating unit of regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands).

Regen WM promotes good practice in sustainable regeneration. “Worcester Central” has the potential to provide a shining example of how investment in heritage conservation, sustainable transport and urban design can provide a catalyst for local area renaissance and wider economic regeneration.

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