12 C O N T E X T 1 5 0 : J U L Y 2 0 1 7 DAVE CHETWYN Planning for sustainable historic places In the heritage sector, sustainable development should be discussed not only in terms of efficient building performance, but also in the wider context of place and planning. Those who plan for historic places need to assess the sustainability values of the area (social, economic, environmental) in addition to understanding heritage values. Such analysis needs to address uses, live/work patterns, movement, and other factors, such as: Pedestrian permeability and connectivityHistoric layouts tend to be more permeable and convenient for pedestrians. Clearly, some new towns deal with pedestrian and vehicular movement in a very different way. But traditional historic street layouts were a result of meeting pedestrian need. Mixed use Historic areas have developed incrementally over time and usually have a finer grain of mixed use, reducing the need for car-based journeys. Sometimes there are residential uses located above commercial uses. There is a greater tendency to single use where places have been comprehensively redeveloped. Concentrations of facilities Historic city, town and village centres have concentrations of community and other facilities and also often better accessibility by public transport. Choice and diversity Research has shown that historic areas support more independent businesses. Minority or low-profit goods are usually to be found in older more peripheral areas, where rentals are lower, rather than in newer shopping areas. Building patterns Historic centres often include highdensity, party-wall construction, with active street frontages. Such urban patterns represent an efficient use of land. Urban design analysis often shows that historic areas have superior characteristics in terms of layouts, mixeduse, concentrations of facilities, permeability and other characteristics. Good planning can build on these qualities. It is also important to recognise the different ways in which historic buildings and areas support sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and fulfill community needs. This is often through the natural process of growth and decline, and resulting changing property values. Most city and town centres have transitional areas, where traditional industries or commerce have declined, leading to suppressed property values. In such areas, historic buildings are often the means to providing flexible and affordable accommodation, essential to supporting enterprise, creative businesses, knowledge-based business, social enterprises, specialist goods suppliers and minority goods. So heritage can help to deliver not just more sustainable, but also more inclusive growth. New development in historic areas can make places more sustainable or, if poorly conceived and designed, The Lloyd Baker estate in Islington, London: a historic area showing the best of urban design qualities
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