Working cities – Newcastle & Gateshead
What is ‘A working cities’
Howard (2020) suggestion of the connection between industry and the city has changed over history, nowadays the reduction of disparities between the rich and poor, and the idea that “work” and “living” is more tenaciously balanced. Hence, contemporary cities and urban neighborhoods has a new role in places of production as well as a place of residency.
Newcastle and Gateshead Urban Core diagram with highlighted key sites. Illustration by Luke Leung
Newcastle and Gateshead urban core adaptation
The cities of Newcastle and Gateshead is located within North East of England. Both cities are separated by the River Tyne, with the stunning Quayside at its forefront. The vision for Newcastle and Gateshead development has been indiscriminately inseparable. The appropriateness of a joint relationship is key for both neighbouring cities. An official document by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council (2015), ‘Planning for the Future: Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010 – 2030’ discusses the future relationship of Newcastle and Gateshead.
In the document, Newcastle and Gateshead has dedicated their upcoming decades to being “A working cities”. The profound relationship of the cities has helped create a prospect with great economical future. This growth would include a platform to attact young people, as well as maintain the current population, thereby, the need of a new housing model is an adaptation for the need of the people.
Major icon & key landmarks of Newcastle Gateshead working cities. Illustration by Luke Leung
Gateshead City Centre & sub-area
Map of Gateshead High Street South & nearby sites. Illustration by Luke Leung
The plan highlighted types of strategic policies for urban core, sub-areas and sites. Within the plan, it includes Gateshead High Street as an urban core distributor route (Newcastle City Council and Gateshead, 2015). Gateshead council has a vision for High Street South to be radically converted and to create opportunity for housing people of all ages, new spaces for local services and enhance the connection to the Town Centre.
Gateshead High Street redevelopment (Gateshead Council, 2019)
Furthermore, Bridging NewcastleGateshead has suggested the housing popularity tend to be of a ‘suburban feel’, even in higher density locations, and the new housing products must recognise this rather than a production of a steady stream of riverside apartment blocks.
Subject associated with what it mean to be a working city. Illustration by Luke Leung
Thus as designers, we need to think of housing alternative that could help ease housing pressure in the traditional format, but to also offer new variations of housing type that will be suitable for people of all ages.
References:
Bridging NewcastleGateshead. (no date) The Changing Place: Our Vision. Available at: https://neregenarchive.online/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/The-Changing-Place-Our-Vision.pdf (Accessed: 12th March 2022).
Gateshead Council. (2019) High Street South Regeneration Proposal: Drop in Event November 2019. Available at: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/media/16587/High-Street-South-regeneration-proposal/pdf/High_Street_South_Regeneration_Proposal.pdf?m=637096691980170000 . (Accessed: 24th March 2022).
Gateshead Council. (2022) High Street South – Regeneration Proposal Available at: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/13172/High-Street-South-Regeneration-Proposals (12th March 2022).
Howard, D. (2020) Working Cities: Architecture, Place and Production. London: Routledge.
Newcastle and Gateshead Council. (2015) ‘Planning for the Future: Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010 – 2030’. https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2019-01/planning_for_the_future_core_strategy_and_urban_core_plan_2010-2030.pdf (Accessed: 19th February 2022)
Luke raises a very interesting point.
When I personally look back at examples of my projects at undergraduate and postgraduate level, I find that: most urban planning and renovation wants to move industrial areas away from the city centre and then transform the former industrial areas into commercial and residential areas.
Of course， it makes sense to do this, because industry has a huge negative impact on cities, causing environmental pollution and fragmentation between different urban functions, and there are a lot of abandoned buildings when industry moves to other places.
The gradual relocation or transformation of industry in Western cities has had a significant negative impact on the middle class. This has contributed to social fragmentation and political unrest.
Industrial facilities should not be completely removed from the city as they are of great importance to it.
The negative effects of industry on the city, such as pollution, can actually be solved through design. (Howard ,2020)
For example, the inclusion of green belts near industries can reduce the pollution produced by them.
Howard, D. (2020) Working Cities: Architecture, Place and Production. London: Routledge.