Towards Successful Suburban Town Centres
A study of the relationship between morphology, sociability, economics and accessibility

Please note that this project has finished. The current project is Adaptable Suburbs.

RGS - IBG Conference 2008: The Geography of Suburban Space - SSTC project in association with the Urban Geography Research Group

Paper 2: N. Morton & P. J.Larkham (Birmingham C. U.) Increasing density in mature suburbs: character, resistance, and quality?    paper 3 ››

In mature lower-density suburban areas, developed from the late-Victorian to the inter-war periods, there have been increasing pressures to redevelop at higher densities. In recent years these have been a particular response to government planning policies promoting sustainable development and the efficient use of already-developed land, known as "brownfield". Yet these mature areas are characterised by extensive green spaces, both private garden land and public space, and by mature planting. They have particular qualities relating to ecology, sustainability, visual and historical character, and physical form; all contributing to quality of life of residents. All these qualities would be significantly changed by proposed and implemented higher-density development. This paper explores the scale and nature of changes, the reactions of residents - largely resistance, often well-organised, sometimes resulting in the designation of conservation areas, but usually futile - and the counter-arguments that the new suburban environments that are being created are of "high quality". It should not be forgotten that this is not the first such period of redevelopment; and also that the stark new developments will, in their turn, mature and become familiar. The values placed upon the current suburban environment, and the resistance to change, says much about the values and attitudes of the residents. Change is feared, even if some is necessary.

Project contacts: email: l.vaughan@ucl.ac.uk - telephone: +44 (0)20 3108 9042 - general enquiries: contact us

EPSRC reference: EP/D06595X/1