Projects: Gardabaer, Urridaholt Masterplan, Reykjavik, Iceland

‘Wind-jamming’

Described as providing a gateway from the city to the natural Icelandic landscape beyond, the new town of Gardabaer will contain more than 1600 homes. The most unique aspect of the site is Lake Urrioavatn, which is formed by a tongue of lava that wraps around the foot of the hill. The planning team behind the project told the LivCom judges that the geography provided many opportunities and challenges during the planning process.

Though its climate is significantly milder than its name suggests, the winds in Iceland are a constant reminder that they need to be carefully addressed

A  favourable micro-climate has been created using meandering streets, barrier buildings and landscape belts to created sheltered public space and the detailing of buildings to break wind speeds and stop funnelling effects. Buildings are located on the windward side of public spaces and trees are planted in green corridors to protect the residential streets. The project is also geared to enable the maximum levels of sunlight to reach the streets – in this northern latitude, the solar angle never reaches 50 degrees above the horizon.

 Mayor Gunnar Einarsson said: “From the outset of the planning process, the underlying emphasis has been to use new ideas and techniques to create an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable development.”

He added: “It is a statement to be here at LivCom in that we are seen to be doing well. There are just 12 projects in the finals and it gives us the courage and enthusiasm as we move forward. If we win, we will use the victory to encourage other communities and projects to use our experience as a blueprint.”

Category A: Popn up to 20,000

Clonakilty, West Cork, Republic of Ireland: ‘Green shoots in Cork'

The experience of Clonakilty, a vibrant community in West Cork, highlights the problems experienced through rapid growth over the past decade. The town’s mayor told the LivCom panel it had been a victim of its own success. The population of the town, whose borders extend to just two miles, has expanded by 40% in the past seven to eight years and has a projected growth of 40% in the next five years.

Town mayor Seamus O’Brien said: “This has put a big pressure on such a small town and as a result we have to rely on and work well with our neighbouring authorities. Planning  for the future in terms of our infrastructure, road building, water, sewage treatment, is one of the most critical issues for us.”

“We have been a victim of our own success in that we have also become a major tourist destination. The population of the town quadruples over the summer. Ten years ago we had 400 bed nights, now we have 4,000 bed nights available.

“The most important aspect for us is that of heritage both in the natural and built environment. Planning is very heavily restricted, as we grow we have refused many many 100s of applications from developers on these grounds.”

Category A

Lytham, UK: ‘Lithe limbs'

Lytham, located in the north west of England on the northern bank of the estuary of the River Ribble was first mentioned in the ‘Domesday Book in1086 A.D. During the 19^th century it developed into a holiday resort, however one new initiative was aimed more at the permanent population. As delegate Cath Powell explained there was a need for a community park which could be a focus for out door exercise for three generations of a family.

Members of the local community came together in 2003 and identifying Lytham’s Park View Playing Fields, hitherto a rather boggy green field site, they formed Park View 4U with the aim of providing play facilities for all ages. This formerly featureless playing field has been transformed into a diverse out door leisure experience for the whole family and valued by every sector of the community.

Park View 4U evolved into a charity and working with a variety of partners they put an infrastructure in place. To date it has provided a BMX event cycle track, youth shelter, Multi Use Games Area ( MUGA ) and a pre-school play ground.

Funding is continuing to be raised from local regional and national sources to implement further phases of work including a skate park and picnic area.

By welcoming three generations, Cath Powell speculates that the time may have arrived when grans boot kids off the equipment to have a go themselves.

Category D: Popn 200,001-750,000

Lyon, France: ‘Light fantastic'

The beautiful southern French town of Lyon is situated in a UNESCO world heritage site, one of only five urban sites in the world. The rivers Rhone and Saone meet here. By day the subtle palette of colours of the buildings range from the warm ochre colours on the Saone side to the predominant blues by the Rhone. In a desire to preserve its identity, the City of Lyon has produced a colour plan. Developed by both the public and private sectors, the plan allows owners or architects to renovate facades in keeping with the building and the immediate environment. No regulatory palette has been set, only an overall philosophy with mention of colours, shadows and lights, shades and pigments.

The objective is to design and produce a City which will stay beautiful over the long term to all those who live or visit it by marrying tradition with modernity.

On the modern front, back in 1989 Lyon introduced its first Lighting Plan, which was a political, technical and artistic step all at once. When the first 250 sites were completed it literally showed the City in a new light. Lyon has become a world leader in the area of public lighting. A new Lighting Plan was initiated in 2006 with multiple ambitions: open the field to creation, integrate new technical possibilities, use the light better as regards urban or social development, prevent lighting clashes, reduce the energy consumption of the lamps and nocturnal light pollution.

By day the colour heritage of Lyon is assured, by night a modern colour wonderland is created. Green lighting in many colours.

Category D, Malmo, Sweden

Ancient and modern in Malmo

The former industrial city of Malmo in Sweden is in the process of rapid change. This is now in its second phase. The first phase lasted until 2000 and involved one enormous project, building the Oresund bridge between Malmo and Copenhagen.

The second phase, from 2001 is being used to address important future issues in a more long term and sustainable way. Malmo sees itself as a young city for the young but also encompasses “ Welfare for  All- the double commitment.”

This mix of combining the needs of the old and vibrance for the young, echoes some of the practical aspects of regeneration in the city. The green heart for the people of Malmo is Crown Princess Margaretas Floral Street. Malmo hosted the Baltic Exhibition in 1914 which attracted almost one million visitors before closing prematurely as war broke out. Many of the building were dispersed around Sweden. As a heritage project many of these have been returned and refurbished in situ. Delegate Trevor Graham, replying to a judge’s question as to how Malmo balanced its heritage responsibilities with its renewable energy programme, mentioned a very “ in your face “ solar energy roof panel at Sege Park. Admitting the aesthetics were controversial, he remarked that this was deliberate, to encourage debate.

 2nd Day Highlights 2007 PM:

Projects: Saltwell Park, Gateshead, UK

'Victorian elegance restored'

Gateshead’s restored Saltwell Park, a 55-acre green space in the heart of the urban core is one of Britain’s oldest Victorian parks. An award-winning project (winner of a ‘Best Park in Britain Award’), the park today hosts 2million visitors a year and includes 12 listed buildings. Landscaping is a significant aspect of the project; 80,000 shrubs and plants have been planted and a maze has been created with 1200 yew trees and 1600 box plants.

Dave Charlton, area manager for Gateshead’s local environmental services, said: “The important thing is that Saltwell Park is of regional and national significance as a treasure of the Victorian age. Unfortunately it had fallen into a dilapidated state. A decision was taken  by Gateshead Council to find the funding to restore it to its former glory. It stands within a very dense urban area and we wanted to create an open space where people can go and relax and enjoy the heritage facilities. It is proving to be immensely popular in numbers far higher than the 300,000 people we were expecting.”

Care has been taken to restore the trees such as oak and holly that featured in the original Victorian design scheme. Flower beds include the ornamental cabbages and pelargoniums popular with 19^th century gardeners.

Dave Charlton explained: “One of the challenges is to obtain the authentic plants in the right numbers. In our summer bedding we will plant around 100,000 plants – to get to those numbers will take quite a while.” 

Projects (bursary): Catton Park, Broadland District Council, Norwich, UK

'Pond life'

Restoration of the 18-19^th century Catton Park is the culmination of a 30 year project which has been championed hard by local people working in concert with the local authority and local landowners. Just two miles from the centre of the city, the reinvigoration of this neglected parkland landscape has yielded some surprising results including the discovery of a 19^th century pond. When clearance work began what appeared to be a small pit turned into a 20 metre structure complete with a double lining of bricks. Broadland DC is bidding for a bursary to restore the pond, a project which will cost an estimated £20,000.

Category A, Popn up to 20,000

Nieuwpoort, Belgium: Coastal regeneration

 The municipality of Nieuwpoort in Flanders, Belgium has several ongoing projects in the regeneration of this coastal area. It has a long and exciting history. It was besieged no fewer than thirteen times during the Battle of Nieuwpoort in 1600, when the Dutch Prince Maurits beat the Spanish. The City never fell. It was however reduced to rubble during World War One when it acted as a key player in the battlefront of the River Yser. Artificial flooding of the area stablised the front.

The city was again hit badly during the Second War so the 1950’s saw mass reconstruction. That infrastructure gives the city a modern feel with wide roads, new bridges, parks housing and sports facilities.

 Zonnebloem Park is probably the most original park to be found along the entire Belgian coast. Once a dreary windswept space, four- metre high glass windbreaks have helped make this a popular meeting place. In the evenings the breaks are illuminated with LED line lights.

The Koolhofpit is an old gravel works of 10 hectares, used for the construction of the A18, and has been transformed into a nature reserve and fishing venue. As part of the design the Koolhofpit has been provided with observation huts, spawning grounds and a hiking path.

Another nature reserve has been created at DeIJzermonding where the River Izer flows into the North Sea. The area was once a Naval base. This has been completely demolished and non indigenous soil was removed and replaced. The work was supported by the European Union Life-project: Integral Coastal Conservation Initiative.

From historic demolitions a new Nieuwpoort has risen from the many ashes.

Category A:

St Walburg, Saskatchuen, Canada: 'Extreme sports, extreme climate'

A strong sense of community service was highlighted by representatives of St Walburg, Saskatchuen, Canada. With a core population size of just 865, the town relies heavily on voluntary service among its residents but also serves a much larger population of 20,000 over an area of 250 square miles. Among the volunteers is 90-year-old Val Hritzuk, who works as a volunteer driver ferrying people without transport into town.

 A large percentage of the core population serves on the council’s seven committees. Saskatcheun has a history of ‘failed development’ with its population decreasing on an annual basis, however the Stabler Report in 1992 cited St Walburg as one of only 52 viable communities. Cultural heritage is a strong focus. In  the St Walburg trading area, there are three Indian Reserves.  Street banners welcome first nation peoples town their own language and events such as Powwows are held on the reserves and attended by local people, while the extreme sport of chuck wagon racing is a highlight  of the annual St Walburg town fair.

Environmental issues are dictated by the extreme temperature. Snow blankets the ground for five months each year and therefore traditional landscaping is out of the question for planting schemes. The solution was found by encouraging native species such as sage, with its distinctive aroma, that grows freely in its wild state outside the town area. Flower beds are flexibly designed so that they can be covered. Tree planting has been a major initiative. Where the streets were not wide enough for planting trees, residents were encouraged to plant them on the edge of their property. However the trees on the edges of boulevards have proved a problem with snow clearance and as a result planting along the street edge is now discouraged.

The cold winters contrast with dry summers and the solution has been to seed large areas with native short grasses which only require maintenance three to five times a year depending on rainfall. In central areas native prairie plants and trees such as Native choke-cherry, blueberries and saskatoons, are used that in spite of the poor compacted soil, thrive without watering and are hardier than standard fruit bushes and trees.

Category C: popn 75,001-200,000

Pecs, Hungary: 'European City of Culture'

With its eyes firmly focussed on its status as European City of Culture in 2010, the city of Pecs’ bid to be recognised as one of the world’s most liveable communities is part of a journey that began in the early 1990s. A period of economic instability in the immediate aftermath of political changes in 1989 prompted a wider quest for funding and a decision by the city leaders to focus on its potential as a tourism destination as Hungary's fourth biggest city. Work began in earnest to restore the historic part of the city in the mid 1990s and a landmark development came in 2000 when the Early Christian Cemetery was added to UNESCO’S World Heritage List.

The team presenting to LivCom explained that while this was a major achievement, it presented several new challenges to widen the process of preservation and restoration and the project was extended to other areas such as parks, medieval and other historic monuments.

Anti-pollution and environmental landmarks have included; special waste collection initiatives (2006), car free zones (2005-6), a park and ride scheme on the edge of the city (2005-6) the introduction of environmentally friendly buses in car free areas. 

Category D, Popn 200,000-750,000

Toledo, Ohio, USA: 'Jeep and cheerful'

Toledo, Ohio, USA is the birthplace of the legendary Jeep Overland car. The Willy’s-Overland Company began operations in 1909. The original Jeep plant was demolished in 2005, but as a memento a lone smokestack bearing the imprimatur ‘Overland’ still stands at the site.

As this introduction would indicate, Toledo, which was founded in 1837 where the Maumee River connects with Lake Erie, serves as a manufacturing centre and a transport hub. It is the model Midwestern city combining a high quality of life with a low cost of living.

With this industrial heritage, environmental concerns at the start of the twenty first century, have become an important issue.

The most significant enhancement of the city’s landscape is underway on the east bank of the Maumee River near downtown Toledo. The Marina District is a 200 acre development that will mix retail, residential and recreational opportunities in an urban setting. As part of this project more than 200 acres of commercially dormant, polluted land along the shores of Lake Erie was remediated and will be put to beneficial use. A municipal marina was completed in 2007 and construction of a passenger terminal is underway.

Toledo was winner of the US EPA Region Five Phoenix award for its work to take more than 400 acres of polluted land and restore it to productive use as the site of the new Jeep production plant. Creative ideas for brownfield site clean-ups, a broad range of funding sources and a hands-on demonstration of community support led to Chrysler’s decision to remain within Toledo. The business, which employs 5,000 people, had threatened to relocate 50 miles outside the city.

Category D, Edogawa City, Japan: 'Levee stress'

Edogawa City is a low land area located in the lower reaches of the Edogowa River on the outskirts of Tokyo. It likens itself in some respects to New Orleans since its defenses are always in need of appraisal. Some 70% of the area was prone to flooding at high tide and in 1947 Typhoon Kathleen flooded 20,000 houses above floor level. Even a heavy rain fall could inflict damage.

The city was split into 32 separate districts with different planning regulations in different places. There is continual infrastructure development to protect the town, such as excavation of a drainage canal, raising of river banks, and preparation of the sewer system. There were also land readjustment projects.

Around Ichinoe-Sakaigawa Shinsui Park, building regulation makes spacious formation of landscape possible. Also residents accepted the standard of building regulation by the good use of scenery district.

Mayor of Edogawa, Masami Tada explained that the ‘Super levee project’ required the demolition of considerable housing stock, before the land level could be raised. Some of this will be rebuilt over but large areas will be landscaped as park. This will create a more breathing environment.