Rethinking Towns & Cities: Becoming generous
Sylvia Grace Borda, MFA
Town planners and architects are known to be proactive agents in rethinking built environments based on principles of public benefit and higher goals. A prime example is the planning of Scottish New Towns, such as East Kilbride and Glenrothes, which embraced citizen well-being through considered design. In New Town planning, multiple dwellings were placed on an east –west axis to maximize light harvesting, enabling residents access to natural daylight, whilst also minimizing reliance on electrical lighting. [i] Other design approaches such as receding and staggered apartment housing created a more livable environment wherein sight-lines, access to light, abundant greenery and pathways were sought. One could argue these efforts had a clear social mission to support an egalitarian standard of living and improvement. [ii]
Notwithstanding, architectural and civic planning has also become driven by delivering basic living functions against deadlines and reduced expenditures which in turn drastically limits social interests or alternative models of living. As such a Western economic-driven mindset impacts architecture and public policy in order to satisfy high levels of consumption, growth and surplus. Surpluses are especially associated with positive gross domestic productivity (GDP) and linked back to improved people’s social and living conditions. But do they really? With growth efficiencies monetized; there are few metrics in place to measure citizen well-being in the built environment. [iii]
By contrast, the debate surrounding the Town and Country Planning Bill (Hansard, Jan 29, 1947), encompassed various sentiments to design generously - ”life in the countryside must be made more convenient, and its attractiveness maintained.” Looking sixty years ago to this Scottish Modernist movement, a social agenda was adopted in order to mobilize citizens and industries within frameworks, resources and public processes. Yet such ideals supporting Scottish New Town development and the resultant buildings remain relatively untapped in their entirety. Historians have invariably focused on the construction and plans employed in the delivery of individual buildings rather than the relationship to communities or workers inhabiting these spaces.
Not dissimilar to the New Town ideals, an Italian Parliamentary bill (CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES No. 2897, February 2015)[iv] is currently focusing on social well-being for its citizens across government planning. This is one example of a possible resurgence in considering the role of architecture in terms of social sustainability. In the latter context, I propose a closer examination of Scottish New Town development to assist in such an understanding, and to advocate the introduction of the term ‘generous design’ into our parlance as a way to think about a whole approach to civic building design and planning.
Generosity by definition is related to the quality of a person having a deposition to freely give one’s time, talents, money, or sharing of assets. Generosity can also mean offering help unselfishly, even in unsolicited situations. We act on behalf of others, not only in reaction to overt cues for help or ‘reactive pro-sociality’, but also in the absence of a cue for help based on our knowledge of the situation and another person’s immediate or longer-term need, i.e. ‘proactive pro-sociality’.[v]
In general, the fundamentals for generous design are already present in how architecture and urban design are taught and often enacted, however both metrics and recognition of these are not necessarily considered as successes against economic efficiencies. The future may require governmental frameworks in order to more effectively foster reciprocity and cooperation with the intention that well-being for those who inhabit any living or working space is a basic and primary goal. But what if financial and civic associations could also promote ‘generous design’ as a set of standards that both improve citizen well-being and economic returns?
Synergistic with this, the WELL Standard® have developed a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind[vi]. We are learning by extension that generous architectural design increases building lifespan and use. There is an inherent motivation of participants to be defined in relation to it. Generous architecture potentially promotes economic growth and fosters civic and societal engagement and betterment.
Whilst generous architectural design at the moment may not be easily afforded, the development of specific metrics to determine economic return should be factored as a positive investment. In the past generous architectural design may have appeared extravagant when considered against immediate savings. These designs involved extra costs to a building brief with its returns accounted for in the future. Today, the stability of a well-maintained building, and by extension to a neighbourhood or locality, adds more economic and market value than most other factors.
For the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Scottish Marketing Board undertook a brave move to crowdsource ideas from Scots residents to international visitors about what made the host city of Glasgow a special place.[vii] Trawling through thousands of entries, the Board recognized that the greatest regional assets did not lie in traditional bricks and mortar, but in its citizens. The strap-line ‘PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW’ was born with its citizens adopting the phrase as a motto about where they live. Such a simple message can easily be construed as people make cities.
Similarly, Scottish architecture can thrive and become a forerunner in contemporary architectural delivery moving from its formative roots to innovating again for people through building and urban design. The establishment of New Towns and associated social planning, such as town artist programmes, provided bold steps in creating generous platforms to aid in the creation of beautiful places where well-being and inclusivity were considered prime foundations. [viii]While these programmes were not well articulated in terms of their longevity, it is perhaps time for re-evaluation as part of a generous framework. [ix]
An awareness of Scotland’s New Town histories and the relationship between people and architecture can assist in the first instance how we re-consider spaces evolving and supporting multi-purpose and participatory views. We can then perhaps better support more dynamic and generous design which should not solely be about altruistic and pro-social values, but also encompass the best innovative expressions of architecture and in so doing the best of ourselves and our communities.
FOOTNOTES
[i] Borda, Sylvia Grace “New Town Heritage, A legacy for the Millennium” in EK Modernism: Celebrating Scotland’s First New Town, Publisher: South Lanarkshire Council, 2006 ISBN 10: 0955312728; ISBN 13: 9780955312724
[ii] In New Town social design, terraced row houses in East Kilbride recede with a staggered approach ensuring that each house has a private entrance and all homes have equal views of the adjacent areas. Staggered housing further ensures generously increased green space around neighbourhoods. Planners effectively optimised green space in support of livability rather than increasing density. This approach is in contrast to gridded urban planning where the number of homes is optimised. In regard to planning density, apartment dwelling heights in Scottish New towns also subscribed to an ethos, for the most part a maximum of three to four stories. Where large high rises had been incorporated in East Kilbride, these were similarly placed in a staggered approach so one building would not dominate or block the other.
[iii] A notable development: the Italian Parliament is proposing a legislative bill in which social well-being is considered a prime driver for economic growth. Well-being design is framed as a theoretical and practical tool for shaping public policies and orienting them towards achieving the well-being of society. The Bill states that “citizens must be able to understand the relevance of the (well being) objectives and, therefore, can contribute to their attainment. This participatory process is essential to increasing the accountability of the actors directly or indirectly responsible for the provision of services (and is therefore vital to success.” See: CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES No. 2897, February 2015, Italian Parliamentary legislation proposal English language document (last accessed 27 July 2015) http://www.lsedwealth.org/media/sal/pages_media/774/f5_Bill_Alternative_Wellbeing_Indicators%20En.pdf
[iv] Digitised editions of Commons, UK Parliament. http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1947/jan/29/town-and-country-planning-bill
[v] Collett, Jessica L. and Christopher A. Morrissey. The social psychology of generosity, Department of Sociology, University of Notre Dame (2014)
http://generosityresearch.nd.edu/assets/17634/social_psychology_of_generosity_final.pdf
[vi] Well STANDARD, International Well Building Institute for Architecture: http://www.wellcertified.com/well
[vii] This inclusive act of community participation did not involve an economic exchange. It was strictly conditional that submissions would assist in forming the identity of the Games for the region. See article “The Glasgow City Marketing Bureau asked the world "What makes Glasgow?" in Communicate magazine (http://www.communicatemagazine.co.uk/currentissuemenu/5038-brandrebrand-glasgow-city-marketing-bureau)
[viii] Of note, the New Town Artist became a model for many public regenerative public art programmes in the UK . Additionally, the International Well Building Institute for Architecture lists a number of formative aspects associated with early Scottish New Town Corporation design from access to light, beauty, health facilities, and a consideration of human scale as part of its certification process. See: www.wellcertified.com/well .
[ix] The Town of East Kilbride, for instance, continues to prosper. Its population maintains a high rate of high school graduates and has considerably less crime than other areas of its size in Scotland.
Sylvia Grace Borda, MFA
Town planners and architects are known to be proactive agents in rethinking built environments based on principles of public benefit and higher goals. A prime example is the planning of Scottish New Towns, such as East Kilbride and Glenrothes, which embraced citizen well-being through considered design. In New Town planning, multiple dwellings were placed on an east –west axis to maximize light harvesting, enabling residents access to natural daylight, whilst also minimizing reliance on electrical lighting. [i] Other design approaches such as receding and staggered apartment housing created a more livable environment wherein sight-lines, access to light, abundant greenery and pathways were sought. One could argue these efforts had a clear social mission to support an egalitarian standard of living and improvement. [ii]
Notwithstanding, architectural and civic planning has also become driven by delivering basic living functions against deadlines and reduced expenditures which in turn drastically limits social interests or alternative models of living. As such a Western economic-driven mindset impacts architecture and public policy in order to satisfy high levels of consumption, growth and surplus. Surpluses are especially associated with positive gross domestic productivity (GDP) and linked back to improved people’s social and living conditions. But do they really? With growth efficiencies monetized; there are few metrics in place to measure citizen well-being in the built environment. [iii]
By contrast, the debate surrounding the Town and Country Planning Bill (Hansard, Jan 29, 1947), encompassed various sentiments to design generously - ”life in the countryside must be made more convenient, and its attractiveness maintained.” Looking sixty years ago to this Scottish Modernist movement, a social agenda was adopted in order to mobilize citizens and industries within frameworks, resources and public processes. Yet such ideals supporting Scottish New Town development and the resultant buildings remain relatively untapped in their entirety. Historians have invariably focused on the construction and plans employed in the delivery of individual buildings rather than the relationship to communities or workers inhabiting these spaces.
Not dissimilar to the New Town ideals, an Italian Parliamentary bill (CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES No. 2897, February 2015)[iv] is currently focusing on social well-being for its citizens across government planning. This is one example of a possible resurgence in considering the role of architecture in terms of social sustainability. In the latter context, I propose a closer examination of Scottish New Town development to assist in such an understanding, and to advocate the introduction of the term ‘generous design’ into our parlance as a way to think about a whole approach to civic building design and planning.
Generosity by definition is related to the quality of a person having a deposition to freely give one’s time, talents, money, or sharing of assets. Generosity can also mean offering help unselfishly, even in unsolicited situations. We act on behalf of others, not only in reaction to overt cues for help or ‘reactive pro-sociality’, but also in the absence of a cue for help based on our knowledge of the situation and another person’s immediate or longer-term need, i.e. ‘proactive pro-sociality’.[v]
In general, the fundamentals for generous design are already present in how architecture and urban design are taught and often enacted, however both metrics and recognition of these are not necessarily considered as successes against economic efficiencies. The future may require governmental frameworks in order to more effectively foster reciprocity and cooperation with the intention that well-being for those who inhabit any living or working space is a basic and primary goal. But what if financial and civic associations could also promote ‘generous design’ as a set of standards that both improve citizen well-being and economic returns?
Synergistic with this, the WELL Standard® have developed a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind[vi]. We are learning by extension that generous architectural design increases building lifespan and use. There is an inherent motivation of participants to be defined in relation to it. Generous architecture potentially promotes economic growth and fosters civic and societal engagement and betterment.
Whilst generous architectural design at the moment may not be easily afforded, the development of specific metrics to determine economic return should be factored as a positive investment. In the past generous architectural design may have appeared extravagant when considered against immediate savings. These designs involved extra costs to a building brief with its returns accounted for in the future. Today, the stability of a well-maintained building, and by extension to a neighbourhood or locality, adds more economic and market value than most other factors.
For the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Scottish Marketing Board undertook a brave move to crowdsource ideas from Scots residents to international visitors about what made the host city of Glasgow a special place.[vii] Trawling through thousands of entries, the Board recognized that the greatest regional assets did not lie in traditional bricks and mortar, but in its citizens. The strap-line ‘PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW’ was born with its citizens adopting the phrase as a motto about where they live. Such a simple message can easily be construed as people make cities.
Similarly, Scottish architecture can thrive and become a forerunner in contemporary architectural delivery moving from its formative roots to innovating again for people through building and urban design. The establishment of New Towns and associated social planning, such as town artist programmes, provided bold steps in creating generous platforms to aid in the creation of beautiful places where well-being and inclusivity were considered prime foundations. [viii]While these programmes were not well articulated in terms of their longevity, it is perhaps time for re-evaluation as part of a generous framework. [ix]
An awareness of Scotland’s New Town histories and the relationship between people and architecture can assist in the first instance how we re-consider spaces evolving and supporting multi-purpose and participatory views. We can then perhaps better support more dynamic and generous design which should not solely be about altruistic and pro-social values, but also encompass the best innovative expressions of architecture and in so doing the best of ourselves and our communities.
FOOTNOTES
[i] Borda, Sylvia Grace “New Town Heritage, A legacy for the Millennium” in EK Modernism: Celebrating Scotland’s First New Town, Publisher: South Lanarkshire Council, 2006 ISBN 10: 0955312728; ISBN 13: 9780955312724
[ii] In New Town social design, terraced row houses in East Kilbride recede with a staggered approach ensuring that each house has a private entrance and all homes have equal views of the adjacent areas. Staggered housing further ensures generously increased green space around neighbourhoods. Planners effectively optimised green space in support of livability rather than increasing density. This approach is in contrast to gridded urban planning where the number of homes is optimised. In regard to planning density, apartment dwelling heights in Scottish New towns also subscribed to an ethos, for the most part a maximum of three to four stories. Where large high rises had been incorporated in East Kilbride, these were similarly placed in a staggered approach so one building would not dominate or block the other.
[iii] A notable development: the Italian Parliament is proposing a legislative bill in which social well-being is considered a prime driver for economic growth. Well-being design is framed as a theoretical and practical tool for shaping public policies and orienting them towards achieving the well-being of society. The Bill states that “citizens must be able to understand the relevance of the (well being) objectives and, therefore, can contribute to their attainment. This participatory process is essential to increasing the accountability of the actors directly or indirectly responsible for the provision of services (and is therefore vital to success.” See: CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES No. 2897, February 2015, Italian Parliamentary legislation proposal English language document (last accessed 27 July 2015) http://www.lsedwealth.org/media/sal/pages_media/774/f5_Bill_Alternative_Wellbeing_Indicators%20En.pdf
[iv] Digitised editions of Commons, UK Parliament. http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1947/jan/29/town-and-country-planning-bill
[v] Collett, Jessica L. and Christopher A. Morrissey. The social psychology of generosity, Department of Sociology, University of Notre Dame (2014)
http://generosityresearch.nd.edu/assets/17634/social_psychology_of_generosity_final.pdf
[vi] Well STANDARD, International Well Building Institute for Architecture: http://www.wellcertified.com/well
[vii] This inclusive act of community participation did not involve an economic exchange. It was strictly conditional that submissions would assist in forming the identity of the Games for the region. See article “The Glasgow City Marketing Bureau asked the world "What makes Glasgow?" in Communicate magazine (http://www.communicatemagazine.co.uk/currentissuemenu/5038-brandrebrand-glasgow-city-marketing-bureau)
[viii] Of note, the New Town Artist became a model for many public regenerative public art programmes in the UK . Additionally, the International Well Building Institute for Architecture lists a number of formative aspects associated with early Scottish New Town Corporation design from access to light, beauty, health facilities, and a consideration of human scale as part of its certification process. See: www.wellcertified.com/well .
[ix] The Town of East Kilbride, for instance, continues to prosper. Its population maintains a high rate of high school graduates and has considerably less crime than other areas of its size in Scotland.