Study for Coastal Town Master Plan
The proposed Master plan for Chichester was a quick study to show residents, through making a very visual plan what is possible in their community. The scheme was based on an existing plan and was trying to improve on it: reorganising the southern area of the town to increase affordable housing to improve the quality of the housing stock in the area, reduce traffic through the town centre, attract young people by proposing a concert hall and innovation centre, and increase civic life. Our aims were:
•A comprehensive masterplan with visuals that the public will also understand and engage with.
•Create a higher density, green city where pedestrians and cyclists have precedence.
•Use existing buildings where possible.
•Create an Architectural Gateway statement (first impressions count).
•Make sure the parking doesn’t dominate the streetscapes.
•Bring back wildlife and greenery.
•Provide a wide range of services within easy reach of everyone.
•Implement the latest, innovative thinking on community living eg: urban farming, coworking spaces, combining elderly care with nurseries.
As a coastal town Chichester is sandwiched between the South downs national park and an AONB along the coast. New housing will have to be built as much as possible on brownfield sites in the town, many if which consist of parking spaces. This scheme looked at densifying the town.
The proposal redirects through traffic to expand walkable and cycle-friendly routes while pushing for an increase in carbon-neutral public transport networks. The plan used the idea of the 15 minute city: to make sure all daily amenities are within a 15 minute walk or bicycle ride to minimise car use.
The proposal aims introduces approximately 650 units of housing in various configurations around green areas and takes into careful consideration the existing buildings and green spaces.