Future perspectives for European New Towns
New Towns and satellite cities are created by governments based on a master plan approach to solve problems linked to rapid urbanization, demographic growth (i.e., housing needs) and rapid development. In Europe, New Towns refer to towns created after World War II to meet housing needs and to alleviate traffic congestions around the main capital cities. Pascaline Gaborit makes an in depth comparative analysis of European New Towns in her book ‘European New Towns – Image, Identities, Future Perspectives’.
About the book
‘European New Towns – Image, Identities, Future Perspectives’ has a specific focus on France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, but also taking into account experiences from Northern, Eastern and Central European countries and from “emerging” countries in other world regions. The book examines the capacity of current New Towns, in a time of demographic stagnation and economic crisis, to manage their transition to maturity (i.e., becoming “Mature Towns”) – to be viewed as pilot and liveable towns, rather then “dormitory towns”.
Challenges for New Towns
Firstly the book emphasized the history of New Towns. Specific policies and tools were put in place for their creation and to foster development. Yet, this pattern is undergoing radical changes across Europe; due to the drastic reduction of public spending, New Towns have to increasingly manage and adapt to new challenges on their own, especially in a time of financial crisis. Secondly, the historical frameworks includes an overview of the main challenges New Towns are facing in their age of “maturity”, which include:
- Financial and administrative aspects (although the general overview seems quite negative in light of the State’s gradual disengagement, it is important to examine the different national situations to better assess New Towns’ needs and remaining financial resources);
- Current demographic trends (New Towns had been experiencing strong population growth, which has significantly slowed in most cases);
- Provisions of public services and amenities (as they emerge from the same historical pattern, all New Towns share the problem of providing public services and amenities);
- Distance and transportation (New Towns are typically well connected to their “mother cities” however, local transportation, which involves connecting areas within New Towns, needs to be enhanced);
- The Rural – Urban Dimension, Management of Landscapes and Preservation (in a context of growing concerns about climate change adaptation and mitigation, these towns must develop sustainable landscape management methods to preserve their natural heritage);
- Housing (although large-scale housing developments are still undertaken in some places, the main problem is still present: the lack of social diversity and the need for urban regeneration of housing stocks)
- Economic development (although it was not originally a priority, New Towns have had to fill up the gap between them and other cities to become “complete” towns)
- Social cohesions and the fight against exclusion (due to the lack of economic attractiveness, high unemployment rates, and deteriorating housing stocks, New Towns often face major problems with meeting social needs and addressing the resulting pattern of social exclusion)
- Identity and sense of community (the lack of shared identity and sense of community are fundamental problems for New Towns as this can be an important tool for attracting investment and tourists and for promoting social cohesion).
Recommendation: work on town centres
Town centres are the hearts of cities. Ideally, town centres should be hosts of urban economic growth; such strategic places of business and commercial activity need to be more visible. Town centres are also pride of politicians that want to promote town image. Finally, town centres are places for investors and represent public spaces and meeting points for inhabitants. Town centres should be creative places for living, economic activity and planning. Built with the idea to become polycentric cities, New Towns often lack a real town centre. Therefore focussing on better public services and a fruitful centre is crucial for the identity and movement within New Towns. Other recommendations included by the European New Towns Platform are:
- Promote multi functional and holistic approach in New Towns.
- Use flexible planning so as to integrate the changes in terms of lifestyles.
- Avoid peri-urbanization (the process by which cities grow by increasing their suburbs): densify housing if relevant.
Book information
Publisher: P.I.E. Peter Lang s.a.
Éditions scientifiques internationales
Brussels, 2010
1 avenue Maurice, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Website : http://www.peterlang.com/
Email : info@peterlang.com
ISBN 978-90-5201-671-9
D/2010/5678/55