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A MUST READ FOR THIS SECTION

BETTER CIVIC BUILDINGS AND SPACES by CABE
 Click Here To Read
 

Sustainable development: what it is and
what you can do



by the Green Ministers Committee
Click Here To Read

Questions that Arise

  • How can a ‘good local environment’ be defined?
     
  • What is the current state of public space in the UK? Has it changed over time?
     
  • What do people think of it?
     
  • What are the underlying factors that undermine public space?
     
  • What are the causal relationships between public space and broader economic and social problems and benefits?
     
  • What means of designing, managing and improving public space have been shown to be effective?

The Literature Review of Public Space and Local Environments for the Cross Cutting Review report sets out to answer these questions.
 Click here to read

Better Public Libraries

Guide to 'Better Public Libraries'
Click Here To Read
 

Better Public Buildings Report
‘100 years ago public buildings were often the pride of Britain’s towns and cities. Schools, railway stations, post offices and libraries set high standards of building design that the private sector tried to emulate. The best embodied a strong sense of civic pride. We know that good design provides a host of benefits. The best designed schools encourage children to learn. The best designed hospitals help patients to recover their spirits and their health. Well designed parks and town centres help to bring communities together.’
Tony Blair in the foreword to Better Public Buildings October 2000'
Guide to 'Better Public Buildings'
Click Here To Read

A Must Read
Better places to live by design: a companion guide to PPG3
Click Here

 

Open & Green Spaces

Well-managed public open spaces such as greens, squares, parks, children's play areas, allotments, woodlands and recreational and sporting areas improve the attractiveness of urban areas and help promote a healthier lifestyle. They, and other spaces such as agricultural and horticultural businesses, bring benefits for wildlife and the environment, act as an important educational tool and can relieve pressure on the countryside. They are therefore vital to enhancing the quality of urban environments and the quality of our lives.

 

 

 

'We should STOP  thinking that good design is an optional extra' Excerpt from CABE's Better Public Buildings Report
  Across the district, region and country there is increasing public awareness and appreciation of the value of good quality parks, play areas and green spaces in regenerating towns and cities, improving the health and wellbeing of local people, and providing educational opportunities for children and communities.
  But although urban parks and green spaces remain very popular throughout the UK, too many have suffered severe decline over the years and action is needed to put them right. An excellent report on this has been published by the Department for Transport, Local Government and Regions (DTLR) named Green Spaces-Better Places. Click Here to Read

Green spaces in Taunton are functional and basic and we may have the odd bad patch but if you feel that you in your community would like to see improvements, add or create a new space/garden or even know of a small patch of unclaimed land that you have ideas for, why not write to your council and ask how you can get involved in creating your own community garden or play area (click here for advice). Why not start your own group with friends or neighbours and create that green space. There are many grants out there to help you (see the Links page in our Features section for Grants) or why not ask your local civic society if they can help?
Extra read: Spaces between the places get £201 million boost
 


The Green Flag Award & Green Pennant Award are independent award Schemes that represents the national standard for parks and green spaces across England and Wales Click here to return to The Civic Trust home pageand recognise high quality green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups... Click Here to Read More
 


When it began in 1996 the aim of the Millennium Greens initiative was to provide new areas of public open space close to people's homes that could be enjoyed permanently by the local community. Click for more
Click Here to read about Doorstep Greens Initiative

 


We must also remember that art plays a part in our open and green spaces. Studies have shown benefits to both, individual, community and society and the best place for information on this and more is the Public Art South West web site. Another is ArtPoint which is a fine example of its commercial value
Visit Public Art South West by clicking here
Visit ArtPoint by clicking here
UK House of Commons report on public parks Click Here - Evidence to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs committee on public parks
 

Civic Buildings & Public Amenities

Community buildings such as schools, libraries and health centres can be designed to give status to civic spaces and provide a focus for community. They represent the spirit of the town or city.
 

The Romans had a tremendous feel for the public realm and built fantastic squares and spaces where the business of everyday life was played out. Medieval squares throughout Europe continue to be places where people live, shop, work and enjoy the urban environment. The Georgians provided us with wonderful squares and thoroughfares, and the Victorians after them.
 
One hundred years ago, Britain’s towns and cities,  railway stations, post offices, schools and libraries set high standards of building design, something that the private sector tried to follow. But the original theory of public squares, markets and amphitheatres that our town centres and civic buildings were based on have given way to the 20th century development of traffic, population growth and unsustainable planning. Our civic buildings have become victims of our changing society and are sold for commercial use, made redundant and remain unloved, dirty and polluted. All contributing to why we need to help and remain focussed on ensuring these remain a focal point of civic pride and a place for community involvement.

  But the 'renaissance' is alive and the future looks brighter than it did before.  With the government's white paper on Better Public Buildings in October 2000 and the firm guiding hand of CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) the next set of design considerations are well in place.
  Now we have to preserve the old and ensure good design for the new, so if you know of any new major developments in your town, be sure to find out from your local council or civic society how you can be involved.
Extra To Read- Rags to Riches: The case for better public spaces - click to read
 
  A new web site launched in September 2003 supported by CABE called DQI Online (Design Quality Indicator - Click Here to Visit) is a great site to visit and do ensure that it is used by your local council!
 
  Another terrific web site to visit is Creative Spaces from The Architect Foundation. This web site has some great case studies, toolkit and more. To visit click here
 
  Pay a visit to the Better Public Buildings Awards web site. The programme aims to ensure that high standards of design, construction, delivery and performance are being widely achieved in public buildings and infrastructure projects. Click Here
 
Copyright 2005 Taunton & District Civic Society. All rights reserved