The competition started by the government is for 10 carbon-neutral, self contained Eco Towns around the country, and the Co-op and English Partnerships have proposed secret plans for developing one of the self-contained, carbon neutral communities. Secret because competitors in the competition might get wind of their detailed plans and mess up their bid. However, this means that none of the elected member authorities at district or county level inLeicestershire has any detail about what is being proposed. The timetable for the competition seems to be a shortlist being announced early in 2008, with the final 10 winners announced later in the year.
The Government's adviser on architecture and urban design CABE, with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, will assist the Government in the competition and establish a judging panel to assess the entries. The competition will focus both on the practical design ideas and the design and development process. A prize will be made available for the overall winner of the competition, as well as awards for specialist areas.
The aims of the competition are to gather ideas:
- from the best national and international thinkers in the fields of town planning, urban design, architecture, landscape design, transport and environmental planning;
- on what an eco-town could and should try to achieve, and how the design and development process can support positive outcomes;
- on the key design features that should be considered when designing an eco-town, eg regional and local identity;
- on the design layout of eco-towns and how they tie in with existing transport links and the natural landscape; and
- on housing layouts and sustainability features.
There will also be an opportunity for public involvement to judge eco-towns designs through a citizens' panel. At the end of the competition, the best of the ideas and lessons learned will be drawn together in an exhibition and eco-towns "compendium", which will help inform the thinking of local authorities and developers taking forward eco-town proposals.
Rumours are flying. The competition is open for Eco Towns between 5,000 and 20,000 homes. 20,000 homes could house 75,000 people so assume at least 40,000 cars (average 2 per household). What price carbon neutral with 40,000 extra carbon fuelled vehicles in that area?
Eco Towns will apparently provide a major contribution to housing supply and increasing affordability, with affordable housing making up between 30 to 50 per cent of the housing. But what is meant by affordable? In some parts of London, affordable houses could be several hundred thousand pounds, whereas elsewhere in the country, you might be able to find something for £70,000 or less. What does affordable mean in Leicestershire?
20,000 homes would mean massive destruction of acres of farmland and replacing them with tarmac and concrete.
Above all there is a lack of transparency and lack of public involvement. We will now have to wait to see whether the Government Office of the East Midlands (GOEM) forwards the proposal to be shortlisted.
Watch this space and add your comments, please.
