Shillam + Smith were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive study of Swindon’s central area and to develop an integrated masterplan for development over the next thirty years.
Swindon is a city of growth. Between 1981 and 1995 over 25,000 new jobs were created. But jobs and companies are mobile. In order to retain and nourish this economically active population, Swindon must develop an urban environment that reflects their aspirations.
Though Swindon is thriving, amongst that boom-town society are those who have for one reason or another been left behind. We found there was a concentration of need in town centre neighbourhoods. However, in the very heart of the town centre there are very few residents and because of this it has become dead and threatening at night.
Swindon today
Swindon has a number of very large and sucessful international companies, many of which have their European HQ’s here. Our economic investigations revealed that Swindon is in danger of being left behind by more attractive places. It is in competition with other towns in the region, but also with hi-tech centres all over Europe.
Built largely in the sixties and seventies the existing town centre is unexciting. It has been strangled by traffic and car parks are threatening to engulf all of the available land. However our survey revealed a vast undeveloped and underused area, very close to the town centre, which offers opportunities for modern development. The challenge was to generate better links between this development land and the existing centre.
Methodology
Shillam + Smith led a team of architects, planners, social scientists, transportation engineers, retail experts and quantity surveyors. We also conducted local consultation, of businesses, social agencies, educational establishments and resident interest groups. We carried out a telephone survey of 800 people and set up a citizens panel which shadowed our work over nine months.
Putting People First
The master-plan is based on one simple and overriding principle - putting people first, designing for people as individuals and enjoying the diversity that this provides. This means pedestrian priority in the town centre and designing a series of improved streets and squares that people can enjoy.
The citizens panel on a study visit to Lincoln
We like to think of the form of the town as a doughnut. In the transactionsal core (the jam) a small pedestrian scale of streets and squares extend and enrich the shopping centre providing more space for cafes and speciality shops. A series of new cultural buildings are also proposed for this zone - a multi-media library, a cinema, an art gallery and improvements to the existing theatre. Though entirely modern in style the intention is that this area will have the scale and atmosphere of an historic town centre. It will be busy and vital, with people living and working and spending their leisure time here.
Sketch of new cafe in paved Regent Square
Surrounding this town centre core we propose a zone of mixed development. This provides suitable sites for major new office uses, which could provide employment for up to 20,000 people, but also the location of about 2000 new apartments. In this area buildings would be designed to allow people to work from home and families will be encouraged; we wish to develop a balanced community. Each apartment should have private balcony space, a roof garden or a high quality shared garden. In order to encourage investment and provide a truly urban lifestyle the scale of the development ring will be high density; tall buildings, if they are well designed, will be encouraged. A new population living and working within walking distance of the centre will "feed" the town centre ensuring its continuing viability well into the middle of the 21st Century.
Two New Public Squares
At the moment Swindon has no major public spaces. We propose new squares at either end of Regent Street. One new square, “Station Square” will be a very active forecourt to a new combined rail, bus and tram station. The other, “Regent Square” is more civic, it is next to the theatre, a possible cinema site and the gallery and library providing a focus for pavement cafes, night-life and town events.
Modern offices in an urban context
Appartments with balconies and roof gardens built above office floors
The North Star zone represents the major commercial development opportunity in the outer development ring. Our proposals establish a framework with an urban park and lake forming a green spine to the new development. We feel that North Star presents an ideal location for new education buildings. Modern flexible University premises and Swindon College at the northern end of this site would act as an anchor to the development of a dynamic, mixed use area. By introducing a residential component we will provide the opportunity to create a more balanced community. A residential population makes areas safer at night, and it is able to support a wider mix of local shops and evening activities.
Transport
Our transport plan increases access for all by concentrating on public transport. There will be an improved bus system, a new ultra light rapid transit (ULRT) tram system and a combined tram, bus and rail station close to the town centre. ULRT is a relatively low cost modern small-scale tram system typically running on narrow gauge tracks. It offers the benefits of a conventional tram system, without the more expensive and environmentally intrusive components such as overhead wires. We propose that the phase 1 ULRT system should connect major destinations within the town centre. This would also provide the kernel of a larger network, linking various outer neighbourhoods with the town centre, to be developed over a longer period of time.
New safe walking routes spread out from the central core.
The role of the new library should be expanded so that it contains all types of modern media as well as books. It is vital that this development is used to create a new landmark cultural building in the town centre. We propose that the library is developed for use jointly by the town and the new University and is open 24 hours a day.
The Art Gallery
Swindon has an excellent collection of modern art, of which only a tiny part is on display in the town at the moment. We have recognised that this collection should be moved to a high profile location in the town centre to provide a new landmark cultural building. We would recommend that a new gallery be built in partnership with a commercial developer in the town centre.
These are the ten projects that we believe will make the regeneration of the town centre happen
1. North Star digital cluster, urban park ........and University
2. New landmark library
3. New art gallery for Swindon's modern art ........collection
4. New central ultra light tram system
5. New integrated rail, bus and tram ........station
6. Pedestrian improvements - including new squares and ........boulevards
7. Encouraging new habits - green routes, health ........campaign, tram links to outer residential ........neighbourhoods
8. Central residential quarters
9. Enable private development interest
10. Image - marketing and quality campaign
Plan of the centre illusdtrating the major catalysts
