Bob Giddings

From Evangelistic Bureaucrat to visionary developer: The changing character of the master plan in Britain

Masterplanning is having a major effect on development, especially in Britain, Europe and the USA, though the theoretical base is ill-defined and process has received little research attention. Of greater concern is that masterplanning is the antithesis of sustainable development. The paper explores the evolution of the masterplanner, critiques the way this product-driven device has changed and suggests sustainable alternatives. Giddings was the lead author.

A Renewed Right to Urban Life: A Twenty-First Century Engagement with Lefebvre's Initial “Cry”

This paper is concerned with how space is socially produced and the struggles this process entails. Critically engaging with readings of Henri Lefebvres spatial notion of the “right to the city” we contemplate its radical potency to reconstitute a renewed right to urban life. We argue that the right to the city has substantial contemporary import, extending to spatial practitioners such as architects. This conclusion is reached by exploring the neoliberal imperative to conquer space, grappling with the issue of social justice as a means to decipher who (re)produces the city and in what ways . Highly visible strategies are contrasted with some less visible counter-practices, by developing a conceptual framework that emphasises ACCESSING, BEING and PARTICIPATING in the city. We contend that “little victories” offer location-specific insights into alternative methods of production, and pose some unsettling questions for architects.

Renewable energy in remote communities

Abstract This research has demonstrated that even in a small urbanised country like Britain, communities can still be remote. The paper analyses the nature of remote settlements and suggests that beyond the rural idyll, there are deprived communities. In order to obtain real data, a study area in the North Pennines was selected. The types of remote communities were evident throughout the study area and one of each type was selected for further study. It became clear that villages with an industrial base had most potential, due to high energy demand, vulnerability and community involvement. A village with a high measure of multiple deprivation and suffering from fuel poverty was chosen for a more detailed investigation. Energy demand profiles were developed and candidate technologies nominated. The latter were tested by filters that assessed fitness for application, robustness and autonomy. The most appropriate combinations of technologies were proposed. The residents and their community representatives were involved in the process and recognised the benefits of the proposals to themselves and others.

Evaluation of the Workplace Environment in the UK, and the Impact on Users’ Levels of Stimulation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a number of recently completed workplaces in the UK. The first aim is to assess the impact of various aspects of the workplace environment on users’ levels of stimulation. The body of previous research undertaken into the workplace environment, identified the aspects to be investigated. Samples of employees from the sixteen businesses were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the workplaces. The results were entered into a regression analysis, and the most significant predictors of perceived stimulation identified. The data also revealed a dramatic reduction in staff arousal levels from mornings to afternoons. Thus, there is a second aim to determine whether changes to significant aspects of the workplace environment during the day can counteract the reduction in users’ stimulation. Two further workplaces were studied to enable changes to be made over a 12-week period. A sample of employees completed questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews revealed the reasons behind the results. It was found that provision of artwork, personal control of temperature and ventilation and regular breaks were the most significant contributions to increasing stimulation after lunch; while user choice of layout, and design and décor of workspaces and break areas, were the most significant aspects at design stage.

Reappraising the World Bank responses to rapid urbanisation: Slum improvements in Nigeria

This paper reappraises a specific slum improvement programme in Nigeria that received financial backing from the World Bank. Utilising a large body of bespoke quantitative and qualitative primary research material, rarely available for slum settlements, critical attention is directed towards the mismatch between official project goals and the needs of inhabitants. The findings suggest that considerable funds have been misdirected and, arguably, wasted. It is contended that participation is not only important to identify the most crucial needs and potentialities of slum dwellers and communities – it is a major requirement for the ongoing maintenance and sustainability of urban change, which is the crux of place-based strategies. The proposition developed from this research is that considerably smaller sums of support could be channelled towards particular contexts, in a variety of place-based manners that account for spatial particularity, reflecting the specific needs and opportunities of particular communities. Of broader significance, this paper contributes to a reappraisal of slum improvement programmes, challenges some perceived wisdoms and suggests alternative approaches to the way that the issues raised could be tackled.

An evaluation tool for design quality: PFI sheltered housing

The complex procurement process entailed by the private finance initiative (PFI) means that clients need new capacities to manage their relationships with bidders and to assess project proposals if the desired level of design quality is to be achieved. To assist local authorities in their client role, a new Architectural Design Quality Evaluation Tool was developed. The aim was to improve the quality of design in residential sheltered housing, procured through the PFI. The tool was developed for and applied to a programme that will see the replacement of a local authoritys entire sheltered housing stock. The tool has two functions: (1) to inform the clients assessment process and assist with the selection of the preferred bidding consortium through a series of stages in the PFI process; and (2) to improve the quality of all the submitted designs through an iterative process. Although several existing mechanisms are available for evaluating the performance attributes of buildings, few also tackle the less tangible amenity attributes, which are vital to the feeling of home. The new tool emphasizes the amenity attributes without neglecting performance.

Understanding the interoperability of virtual city models in assessing the performance of city centre squares

The increasing development of three-dimensional virtual city models and leadingedge computer software applications is providing innovative possibilities for analyzing the performance of existing city-centre public squares. In the design and assessment of city squares, the use of accurate virtual city models is often limited to visual geometrical assessment alone. There is little evidence that such models are being adapted to carry out urban performance simulations. There are, however, existing and emerging tools that can simulate a number of performance aspects—pedestrian movement, noise level, wind movement, and temperature—that show scope for integrating virtual city models to aid in the assessment of public squares. This paper describes a study which investigates the interoperability of off-the-shelf three-dimensional virtual city models to integrate with selected ‘urban performance’ software to contribute to a more integrated approach to the assessment of existing public squares and the future sustainability of virtual city models. Methodologies for utilising virtual city models within ‘urban performance’ software are established, with results demonstrating that the integration of virtual city model data can aid in both the visual and performance assessment of existing public squares, with scope for application to new proposals. The argument is also made that the application of virtual city models in this manner also contributes towards the sustainability of virtual city models, one that takes a more multifunctional approach. This paper acknowledges that the majority of the evaluated software is not related directly to urban design—indeed, there is no software currently available that brings together all the performance aspects and relates them to geometrical characteristics. However, this study offers a significant contribution to this subject and identifies the need for future research into the evolution of information-rich virtual city models.

Advent of Climate Change and Resultant Energy Related Obsolescence in the Built Environment

By 2050s the UK is expected to experience: increase in average summer mean temperatures (predicted to rise by upto 3.5 o C) and frequency of heat-waves / very hot days; and increases in winter precipitation (of up to 20%) and possibly more frequent severe storms. Also, in 2050s approximately 70% of UK buildings will have been built before 2010, which due to aforesaid climate change factors will suffer from various types of obsolescence – including energy related obsolescence. Thus, if sustainable built environment is to accommodate climate change and the investment in these buildings (which was approximately £129 billions in 2007 in the UK alone) is to be protected, action needs to be taken now to assess the vulnerability and resilience of the existing UK built environment; and plan adaptation / mitigation interventions, that allow to continue to support the quality of life and well-being of UK citizens. The situation with other countries around the globe is not dissimilar, although there may be some variation in nature and quantity of climate change, and the way climate change impacts manifest themselves in relation to the resources and governance of a given country. Failure to act now will mean that the costs of tackling climate change in future will be much higher, jeopardising not only environmental but also economic sustainability. In view of these concerns, this paper will focus on obsolescence that is associated with energy and climate change. The climate change factors that shall be specifically covered include global warming, flooding, carbon emissions, carbon cut targets, environmental legislation and building regulations. Obsolescence types are categorised into direct and indirect obsolescence groups. Moreover, although the paper will mention both generation and consumption of energy, the later shall be more specifically addressed due to accelerating demand of power as well as pressures for efficient energy consumption in buildings to cut carbon emissions. Finally, in light of to date literature review, the paper will emphasise requirement of a fundamental framework for identification and categorisation of energy related obsolescence in the built environment, which shall attract interests for further investigation from both researchers and practitioners.

Implementation of a local authority workspace strategy in the UK: The case of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the implementation of a workspace strategy within Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council. It identifies the efficiencies that were achieved through the increase in office workspace numbers, as well as the associated advantages of locating more people within the Civic Centre. Equally, this study examines the users’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach - A survey was carried out in 2013, with Property and Design Services as a sample Council Department, to identify employees’ level of satisfaction with the implementation of the strategy. A paper-based questionnaire was handed to all participants. The primary comparison was their experience before and after changes to the workplace. Findings - The results show that government targets for office space utilisation have been exceeded, thus supporting more efficient property asset management. The research has also established that the employees are generally satisfied with their new workspace. Research limitations/implications - The issues are whether the reduced space per person can be mitigated by the design, and whether efficiency gains can be introduced without adversely affecting the users’ perception of their workplace. Practical implications - The findings can guide future trends within the Council, as well as informing the implementation of similar workspace strategies in other organisations. Originality/value - The originality of the study lies in a workspace strategy where the responses of users were taken seriously. Despite some concerns about distractions and lack of privacy, the employees responded that their overall satisfaction, and perceived productivity were unaffected by the strategy and reduced space per person.

The tyranny of energy conservation in the workplace

This editorial is taken from a British perspective, but it may chime a little with those in other countries. In 1974, a BBC Horizon programme investigated how new technology was impacting on people’s lives. A modern movement building in the North East of England had recently been completed. Its function was to house a computer, which was a very large piece of equipment. The computer was also very delicate – prone to draughts, changes in temperature, humidity and sunlight. It was also indifferent to the view. Thus, the building was sealed, with constant temperature, dry atmosphere, little natural light and no sunlight. The employees, on the other hand, craved variation from their indoor environment and a view to the outside. The employers could not understand why the staff always felt demotivated, listless and unwell, while absenteeism and staff turnover were well above the norm. It was little surprise, even Le Corbusier, the doyen of the modern movement had stated that people had to learn the spirit living in mass-production buildings. 1 The implication being that buildings would be constructed in accordance with worthy principles, and users would have to change their behaviour to fit the buildings. However, in the 1970s, there was little energy conservation. U values had been introduced to the building regulations, but they were easily achieved with cavity wall construction. Nevertheless, the buildings inspired by modernism presented new challenges. Regardless of whether they were living accommodation or workplaces, concrete frames and concrete cladding were prone to condensation and cold bridges. This generated an industry of insulation production that would become increasingly significant towards the end of the 20th century. The 1970s were significant in other ways. Indeed, the Horizon programme itself was responding to the global oil crisis in late 1973 and the three-day week (January to March 1974). The Heath Government had taken this dramatic action to avoid Britain’s industry grinding to a halt as a result of a combination of the oil crisis and an impending strike by the National Union of Mineworkers. It involved cutting electricity supplies to three consecutive days a week to conserve coal stocks. This was observed by an up and coming thrusting politician named Margaret Thatcher, who vowed that if she ever became Prime Minister, the Country would never be placed in this position again. Her actions in the 1980s included reform of the Unions and promotion of energy conservation. The most significant legislation was the 1984 Building Act that produced a new generation of Building Regulations. These seemed to be revised almost on an annual basis, and of all the sections, part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power was changed the most. First, U values were radically reduced to combat fabric losses, then the whole system for evaluating building designs was totally changed, and air infiltration was targeted, with the progressive sealing of buildings. During this period, the 1992 Rio Earth summit on climate change and reduction in use of fossil fuels introduced Agenda 21, part of which was to conserve resources. It was followed by the Kyoto Protocol, which started in 2008, as an international agreement linked to the UN convention on climate change. It was based on the premise that global warming exists, and man-made CO2 emissions have caused it. All of these provisions were generating an unstoppable momentum. The proponents of the measures would state that they are all totally reasonable, and the only failing was that they should have been introduced earlier. This is a justifiable position, but as with all evangelical movements, the lack of challenge is unsettling. Local authorities from the north of Scotland to the Tropic of Capricorn in Australia were making similar proclamations. Aberdeenshire Council, for instance, pointed out that reducing energy has many advantages. It saves money, reduces carbon emissions, can improve a working environment and will enhance the Council’s reputation. The Authority’s solution was to appoint energy champions from the staff, to carry