Growing together_a productive FrameworkE

URN_C_A1 sheet 01

Re-Imagining The Garden City

A HAMLET N TRANSPORT HUB Dwelling Units Community Units Production Units

The Close Connection
B MEADOW O SCHOOL 24
In the spirit of the original Garden City our 24 6
proposed masterplan hopes to plant the
seed for the social interaction that creates a C PONDS P CARE CENTRE/
SENSORY GARDENS
healthy and socially sustainable community 12 Apartments
where people care for one another and for D CAR-FREE MEWS Q SELF-BUILD
the landscape. The vision is to create a fra- (100 units/ha)
mework which incentivises future residents E FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES 18
SHARED PARKING R (PARKING) 12 30
towards an environmental and social way of M Community Nusery
life. F COMMUNAL SQUARE centre
C Terraced
24 24
A neighbourhood or village should offer G AVENUE J (50 units/ha)
room for diversity, where the individual can Landscape as the Catalyst 12
live life in safety and in close connection H COMMUNITY FARM / D
with the landscape. We do not propose a Landscape is a key catalyst for the master- AGROFORESTRY
neighbourhood which closes in on itself and plan and has informed all strategic design H 24 Semi-detached Transport 24 Flexible
I RAIN GARDENS
(35 units/ha) 24 Structures
becomes introverted, but a place which na- decisions. The vision is to create a fra- Hub
turally fits into the environment and context mework based on the landscape (existing & H
in which it is situated, participating in and new) which will allow a strong community J HEDGEROWS
A 24 24
contributing to the life that already exists in to grow together over time. D
the area and inviting it in. K PARKWAY
A 12 Detached Community
Each hamlet has an individual identity un- 24
The proposed framework will create an in- derlined by the strong character of the local L ORCHARDS (25 units/ha) House
clusive neighbourhood, which consists of landscape. At the centre of each hamlet is a F
a wide range of housing types and activi- communal garden (common) based on an M WILD BUFFER
ties and programs for residents of all ages, agroforestry system with a focus on urban A G P The Framework - Elements
incomes and states of health. The scheme food production. This acknowledges the im- N
aspires to a holistic living arrangement, whe- portance - for children especially - of access H
re residents can stay and be the co-creator to high-quality open and green space – for
of a rich social life for all, coming together exploring, play, physical activity and con- G O J
to create a binding, pleasurable and incenti- tact with nature. A F
Trees As a starting point the trees (approx. 2000) are planted to form the
ve driven community. J
H overall framework of the new development - dictating the future de-
A wild landscape surrounds the masterplan, 6
Recognising the human needs for commu- providing shelter from noise and wind whilst R velopment and layout of the productive landscape. A mix of trees are
A
nity and sense of belonging, the masterplan enhancing the sense of enclosure and biodi- used responding to different uses
is developed from the inside out; from the versity. The new parkway takes advantage H
6
smallest residential scale to the larger ham- of the existing hedgerows and connects the J D
let scale, ensuring that local unity is always site to Letchworth Garden City, providing E D Orchard
H A 24
achieved. different activities along the way. B G A
0 100

Juniperus communis Malus pumila Prunus avium Prunus cerasifera

G 12
D Street Trees

H 24
100 0
M R
Acer platanoides Acer rubrum Ginkgo Biloba Gleditsia triacanthos
I
A
A 12
D Mews Trees
A R
H 6 Carpinus betulus Liquidambar styraciflua Sorbus aria Tilia mongolica
Landscape & town intertwined A community for the whole life
L A

The Social Connection The modern take on the hamlet is developed

with short walking and cycling distances J 6 Parking Trees
As humans we are concerned with our im- in mind. Human scale informs the building Acer campestre Alnus x spaethii Robinea pseudoacacea

mediate surroundings – that our children volumes, with a focus on the edge zones
and well defined private and public spac-
are thriving, that we feel safe and that we
es, which are arranged to give the hamlet L The Framework - The New Trees
have a sense of belonging. These key con-
siderations were addressed by Unwin and a distinct neighbourhood character whilst
Parker in the development of the original vi- maintaining immediate contact with the
sion for the Garden City and are expressed landscape and the wider community. This Q
in the idea of the hamlet. permeability also allows life to take place
in the zones between the hamlets, whilst
remaining close to both the landscape and
the community.

The hamlets are grouped together to cre-

ate clear connections with multiple over-
lapping zones for interaction in the public
space. The masterplan consists of several of
these areas, which knit together the neigh-
bourhoods and encourage a strong sense
of community, with each one forming a po-
tential social cluster. It is the careful devel-
opment of these spaces that provides the
0 50 100 200 m Garden Path Cycle Carriageway Path Parkway
basis for a strong sense of ownership, se-
curity and initiative and thus vibrant neigh- 3m 2.5m 1.5m 7m 2.5m Varies
bourhoods. Siteplan Streetsection Greenway

Growing a neighbourhood Structure & Delivery model

Plot based Masterplanning Each plot within a hamlet would be subject
to a simple plot passport. This will set out
We are intrigued by the word ‘plot’, that can what can be built on the plot and what it
refer to an allotment or to a site to build a can be used for. It will include the position
house. The dual meaning of the word goes and height of the home, parking arrange-
back to the very origins of villages and towns ments and future use.
as structures of agricultural plots incorpo-
rated into the structure of a settlement. Our Delivery Model
masterplan seeks to replicate this process.
The idea is to create a plot structure across This plot-based approach is not predicated
the whole site and to allow the neighbour- on self-build, but is appropriate for all forms
hood to grow within this frame. The struc- of housing development such that some
ture of the masterplan is based on a series plots would be developed by individuals, via
of hamlets laid out along an avenue with custom build. Others would involve small Step 01 - The Greenway and existing hedgerows Step 02 - Site is divided up in rational development Step 03 - The development plots are rotated to give
densities rising towards the avenue and de- scale developers and housing associations define the overall structure. plots based on around 90-100 dwellings per each Hamlet an individual character, creating a varied
creasing towards the edge of the site. Each and yet more could involve a volume house Hamlet. experience along the main Avenue.
hamlet will have a different character, both builder. This would include 40% of the plots
in terms of its materials and design and also that would be delivered as social housing.
the form and species of planting. Each ham- All plots would be required to work within
let is made up of three fields and these are the plot structure and follow the plot pass- Structure
further divided into plots that will initially port rules. Masterplan layout 24
be used for food production. The paths be-
Growth and connectness over time

created with tree

tween the fields will be lined with fruit trees The development will be coordinated by planting
and will eventually become streets. a master builder. This could be the Letch- 12
worth Trust or a private master developer.
A grid is based on multiples of 6m with the The master developer would be responsible Development
standard plot dimension as 12m wide by for laying-out the initial grid, for putting in Housing and
24m deep. Fields will be two to four plots services and roads, planting the trees and growing spaces
deep and three fields will form a hamlet. As managing the agricultural use. The cost of
the development advances it will do so at this would be recouped from plot sales. The Community
four different densities: freehold would be retained and passed on Residents and
to a community trust which would become producers
• Detached (25 units/ha) responsible for the long term management
• Semi-detached (35 units/ha) of the area and the control of future devel- Phase 1 Step 04 - Each development plot is subdivided Step 05 - The central productive landscape in each
• Terraced (50 units/ha) opment. into standard plots of 12m wide by 24m deep. Hamlet creates view corridors ensuring close
• Apartments (100 units/ha) connection with the surrounding landscape for
local residents and the wider community along the
Greenway. The Social Connection