Marcus Wilshere and Rob Cowan present the results of their research for the Office for Place.
Chaired by Naike Zambotti
00:00:00 – Introduction by Marcus Wilshere.
00:03:22 – The research explored in detail by Rob Cowan and Marcus.
00:23:28 – Ten lessons for planning in England.
00:33:00 – Discussion chaired by Naike Zambotti.
Naike Zambotti is a qualified urban designer, a member of the Urban Design Group Executive Committee and an associate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Marcus Wilshere is the Director of the Collaborative City, a network of independent design professionals from across several lived-environment disciplines. Marcus is an architect and town planner specialising in urban design, masterplanning and regeneration. He has provided training and mentoring on design codes, including working with Urban Design Learning and the Design Council to train the Design Code Pilot Expert Panel. He has provided training on urban design and design codes for Planning Inspectors.
Rob Cowan is a prolific author on urban design. His over 20 publications include Essential Urban Design; Urban Design Guidance; and three design guides for the Scottish Government (on urban design, housing quality and masterplanning). Rob was the joint author of By Design, and he is one of the UK’s most experienced trainers in urban design. Rob’s academic roles include Teaching Fellow (urban design) at the Bartlett School, UCL; external examiner in town planning at the Bartlett School and University of Manchester; and as Senior Research Fellow, Department of Architecture, De Montfort University. Rob was a special advisor on planning to the House of Commons ODPM Committee.
Some Lessons:
-Codes work best within a system: Design codes are more effective when part of a broader system of planning controls, standards, and higher-order plans, as seen in the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
-Use of illustrations and diagrams: Simple diagrams make design codes more accessible and usable, as demonstrated in the San Jose design codes.
-Context-specific design principles: Codes should be rooted in local context and community input, as shown in Burien and Oman, blending prescriptive rules with more flexible guidance.
-Empowering citizens: Design codes can involve communities in the design process, helping ensure the designs are popular and meet local needs, as seen with Vinegar Lane.
-Role of design review panels: Design review panels are important for assessing compliance and innovation, especially in systems like those in Australia and New Zealand, where independent panels are heavily involved in the review process.
-Learning by doing: Design codes should be treated as living documents that are regularly updated based on outcomes and market changes, encouraging a culture of design quality.
-Managing phased development: Some codes help manage complex, phased development with multiple sub-developers, using tools like block or plot data sheets to streamline the process.
–Streamlining planning applications: Design codes can expedite simpler planning applications, offering fast-track approval for compliant proposals, as seen in Western Australia’s R Code (Volume 1).
-Training for code users: A training program is essential for ensuring those who administer and use design codes are well-prepared, as seen in Abu Dhabi’s street design manual.
-Emphasizing landscape in design codes: International case studies highlight the importance of incorporating landscape elements like street planting, with examples from Western Australia’s R-Code focusing on tree canopies and landscaping. © Office for Place & Urban Design Group.
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