A Proposal for New Urban Life

Summary

This proposal outlines the case for the creation of a new campaign ‘New Urban Life’ in response to the challenges of climate change. The campaign is distinct in that it focuses on the potential role urban form can play in tackling car dependency. New Urban Life seeks to inspire the much talked about, but as yet to be realised, urban renaissance; creating the

conditions where truly sustainable urban living can occur.

The Proposal

Whilst much emphasis is currently being placed on improving the energy efficiency of buildings, little is currently being done to tackle the energy consumption from private motor vehicles. Transport in the UK contributes 22% of green house gases (DTI
figures) but, with the exception of car-sharing, there is no real focus within Government policy on reducing car use.

The potential of urban form in reducing car dependency is well understood amongst built environment professionals. Dense, well-connected, urban neighbourhoods not only make public transport, local shops and facilities accessible, they also support their economic viability because of the close proximity of the populations they serve. In practice however the suburban model of housing development still dominates with more than half of all new housing built at less than 20 dwellings per ha.

Running concurrently with our unsustainable approach to house building is the housing crisis in the UK. As the Barker review has identified, over the last 30 years the number of households has increased by 30% whilst the levels of house building fell by 50%. Based on current density standards, we are unable to meet the demand for housing, resulting in increasing numbers of disenfranchised people, excluded from the housing market as a result of spiralling house prices. Our current approach to house building is clearly not working.

A central element of New Urban Life is to gain support for a new way of living. Changing perceptions by demonstrating that denser forms of living can be attractive and affordable. It will seek to demonstrate that new forms of city structure, common in Europe, can appeal to families as well as to single people. Developments such as Bedzeds (Beddington, South London) and Homes for Change in Manchester signal the way, but the concept is still not in common currency.

New Urban Life therefore seeks to achieve widespread support for the concept of new urban living by:

• Forming a coalition of pressure groups and built environment professionals, supporting New Urban Life
• Form a steering group of high profile individuals to direct and champion the campaign.
• Raising the profile of New Urban Life through high profile media stunts and press work
• Capitalising on those currently disenfranchised by the current housing market, connecting with

  them by providing a new real alternative of dense, high quality and above all affordable urban

  housing suitable to families as well as individuals

• Inspiring the debate on the form of New Urban Life through design competitions (e.g. re-

  engineering the suburbs)

  Outcome

  The focus of New Urban Life will be legislative change to facilitate the urban renaissance by seeking to promote an early day motion for:

• A transport energy audit, setting out the standards by which all new developments must accord to minimise the environmental impacts derived from transport.
• Seek a revision to traffic regulations as enshrined in ‘DB32’ which prevents well connected, mixed use development from being created and thereby:
• Create the circumstances in which new sustainable neighbourhoods can be constructed.

“Conversations on Future Lifestyles”: Talk it Through, Make it Happen.

Rethinking Cities Ltd. host “Conversations on Future Lifestyles”, a series of thought-provoking, inspiring and creative discussions on lifestyles and their impact on urban living. Such a Conversation is an opportunity to meet fellow professionals, to share opinions, and contribute to interesting debates on topical issues. Collective problem solving. A briefing paper is distributed to participants one week before the conversation and a guest speaker is invited to introduce the topic.

Conversations take place early in an evening, at a convenient central London location, approximately once a quarter, and last for between 50 and 90 minutes. They are hosted by an experienced facilitator, and participation is limited to ten people, ensuring intimacy and an opportunity for everyone to have a chance to contribute.

“Wise people like Raban (author of Soft City) learn things  about cities and communicate them, but then are more or less forgotten.  Revisiting them is a real service, and the Conversation was very stimulating,  to me at least. The Homes & Communities Academy should fund you to hold hundreds of Conversations, as an alternative to reinventing the wheel.” Rob Cowan, former Director of the Urban Design Group

For each Conversation, a briefing paper is written by the person introducing the topic.