The distinctiveness of Bolton
This [tag]animation[/tag] of the [tag]historical development[/tag] of [tag]central Bolton[/tag] was part of our study for Bolton Council in 2005 led by Kevin Murray Associates.
The Local Distinctiveness Study provided the research baseline for Building Bolton, incorporating consultation, [tag]urban analysis[/tag] and policy recommendations. The team (KMA, Drew Mackie Associates and WMUD) devised a unique approach to Bolton town centre – linking the inputs of different stakeholders to ideas and propositions for the future evolution and management of the town centre.
The Final Report is available to download (3.76 MB PDF) and includes sections on the methodology used, the key findings, emerging issues from an urban design perspective and propositions for the content of future planning guidance. The report was used to inform the Council’s Building Bolton SPD which is available here.
2 Comments
Nick Wright
10 January 2008Very interesting report – the fusion of community input and expert urban design analysis seems to work very well, leading logically to informed policy conclusions.
The urban design analysis is excellent – wonderful diagrams like the structural analysis diagram, coupled with insightful analysis like the “shatter zone” concept.
I’d love to understand more about the pros and cons of the storytelling methodology: it seems a better way of getting positive community input than stickies-on-boards (which can often lead to a focus on negatives) – it would be fascinating to find out in more detail how it worked out, how the cascading training worked, etc etc.
How about a future blog giving your views on the storytelling?
Willie Miller
10 January 2008Thanks Nick – the future blog would depend on Drew since it is very much his approach. I will make the suggestion though and see what happens!