Urban rivers - planning and regeneration River corridors in the Urban Environment Developing a Vision for the Future 18 November 2010
Overview Exemplars Opportunities and challenges moving forward Localism and planning Climate change Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 2
Exemplars of urban rivers/waterways as focal point for regeneration/urban extensions Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 3
Hammarby Sjöstad, Sweden David Cowlard The idea was to exploit the unique opportunity to expand the inner city with water as a central focus for the development, whilst at the same time transforming an old port and industrial area into a modern city district. Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 4
Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 5 Urban Practitioners
Urban Practitioners Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 6
Putney Wharf, London The mixed use development opens up a previously inaccessible towpath to the public and reciprocally 'invites' the river into the development with a new slipway. John Thompson and Partners/Benedict Luxmoore Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 7
East Quayside Terry Farrell and Partners East Quayside masterplan accommodated the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which provides access to the Baltic and the Gateshead Music Centre from the river's north bank Michele Turriani Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 8
River Quaggy, Lewisham Stephen McLaren A flood prevention scheme for South London's Quaggy River has brought a buried river back to the surface, with public parks and private gardens serving as floodwater storage areas. Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 9
Emscher Landschaftspark, Germany Projekt Ruhr GmbH / Klartext / Germany Michael Latz Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 10
Emscher Landschaftspark, Germany The area was characterised by social deprivation, huge outward migration and economic problems caused by the closure of most of the mines and steel factories. Its environment was extremely poor because of decades of heavy industrial pollution. Naming the regional park after the river Emscher, which was for decades the main industrial drain of the area and its most polluted element, was a clear sign of the project s ambition and the project leadership s confidence and resolve. Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 11
Cheonggyecheon, Seoul, Korea A city-wide effort to revitalise a river and connect the city centre with an ecological conservation area outside the city. Nepal Asatthawasi Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 12
Opportunities and challenges moving forward Localism and planning Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 13
Localism and planning - opportunities Opportunities for local communities to collaborate in development through neighbourhood plans reflecting local needs and aspirations This could support planning and regeneration of urban rivers to create public assets that enhance amenity and function for local neighbourhoods Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 14
Potential challenges The importance of strategic planning to overcome the tendency for rivers to become barriers This risk might be exacerbated by neighbourhood planning approaches where local interests are safeguarded rather than wider interests Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 15
Addressing challenges Local growth white paper published 28 October 2010 pointers to what will be in the Localism Bill due November 2010 still a national presumption in favour of sustainable development; LEPs work with LPAs to develop strategic planning frameworks for economic development and infrastructure Pro-active engagement provides opportunities to discuss the bigger picture with local residents and businesses, creating a vision that extends beyond the neighbourhood Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 16
Opportunities and challenges moving forward Climate change Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 17
Climate change - challenges Increased extreme weather events as a result of climate change Dealing with uncertainty Sub-national planning for river catchments Steve Sant / Alamy Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 18
Climate change - opportunities Urban rivers and waterways can be used to help build resilience to extreme weather whilst creating public assets and sustainable development Necessitates strategic, spatial and temporal planning and strong collaboration Adapting to climate change requires a flexible approach to planning and climate risks. Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 19
Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 20
Concluding remarks Opportunities and challenges of emerging agendas localism; climate change Benefits of creating public assets Need to plan for uncertainty and future climate Need to develop strategic plans and collaborate We can do it - exemplars often epitomise this ethos Urban rivers - planning and regeneration 21
Thank you. Paula Vandergert pvandergert@cabe.org.uk www.cabe.org.uk