Eco doctor: sustainable master planning

1. Think big

Sustainable master planning means moving beyond a narrow view of green design and energy efficiency policies to examine the huge number of factors that have an impact on the long-term viability of communities.

2. Get people moving

It’s essential to consider in detail nearby work, leisure and living spaces. Plans must promote physical connections between development areas and the existing urban fabric through effective street networks. This will encourage communities to get out and about and socialise in their local environment.

Proximity and good access to main transport networks with frequent services help reduce reliance on car transport. Promoting systems to reduce congestion can assist in lowering unhealthy motor vehicle pollution and encouraging people to get moving. Good ideas include limiting off-street car parking, providing cycle paths, safe street lighting and neighbourhood car-sharing schemes.

Including new transport infrastructure schemes, which can be costly, needs careful planning and timetabling to reflect future growth expectations.

3. Mix and match

Good quality, high density developments can help create more viable neighbourhoods capable of supporting local services. However, this must be tempered with considerations about occupants’ amenities and the availability of public space.

Housing densities should be graded appropriately to maximise accessibility and prevent overcrowding. Smaller, denser developments could be an acceptable trade-off where other amenity advantages are improved. Consideration of noise levels and effective sound insulation between dwellings is vital in urban settings.

A key aim should be to improve local views on housing areas with bad reputations in order to attract new tenants, reverse cycles of deprivation and prevent community isolation.

4. Focus on function

Plans should include:

• Good quality street environments and strategic public spaces with community access to promote time spent outdoors and in physical activity
• Multi-functional areas that offer a range of activity opportunities
• Accessibility for all ages and abilities to encourage participation in community life
• Commercial and retail centres to create jobs near transport facilities
• Innovative use of space, including mixed use within buildings. For example housing above retail and commercial facilities, and using land between buildings
• Business growth promotion, with priority given to local businesses
• Promotion of local food growth to include city farms, farmers’ markets and farm shops, allotments, forest and community gardens and space for back gardens.

5. Create community

Community cohesion is about fostering individual pride and greater involvement through:

• Attention to the visual qualities which will evoke sensual, cultural and spiritual responses that contribute to the quality of life, including visual links between developments and surrounding areas
• Considering the height, setback, sizes and materials used in developments to provide continuity while injecting personality and character
• Providing formal opportunities to engage in the local community, especially contributing the planning process, and participating in committees and shared management of facilities once built.

Matt Kitson is director of sustainability at international engineering consultancy Hilson Moran

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