Incremental urbanism: An economic approach to the small town

Jones, Matthew

Abstract

In this paper an alternative to the prevailing conservation based approach to small town urbanism will be explored. Founded on a belief in the value of the existing and an in depth reading of settlement, an urban strategy underpinned by a series of specific architectural interventions is proposed as a means of creating maximum benefit from limited means.

A fifth of the population of Europe lives in towns of under 50,000 people. In many cases, these small settlements and market towns have a high historical and cultural value. The desirability of these places conceals challenges of affordability, changing demographic needs and a decline in services provision that threaten their survival. Neither large enough to qualify as urban nor small enough to be treated as rural, small towns find themselves falling between measures aimed at either urban or rural areas, leaving town councils limited resources for projects. Furthermore, planning policy dictated from regional councils often fails to engage in depth with the nature of place and the nuances that make small towns unique.

Case studies will explore an approach that bases development on an in depth reading of the as found situation. Luigi Snozzi’s involvement in Monte Carasso over a twenty year period has transformed the town from a dormitory settlement to a lively and desirable small town. A rethinking of planning policy and numerous small scale interventions has radically altered the settlement’s urban form, defining its centre, limiting its growth, increasing density and reinforcing the settlement pattern. Strengths and weaknesses inform urban strategies, while individual projects are based on precise, measured and minimum gestures and aim for a wider urban impact than their individual site boundary. The applicability of this approach to the UK will be explored through an ongoing community-led planning project in Ruthin, North Wales.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Economy
• Start Date: Jul 6, 2011
• End Date: Jul 8, 2011
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2011
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2011
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: urban design, architecture, place, rural towns
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/961321
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Economy