Happy Hogmanay

X-mas 2021/22/23/24 started with a dozen friends for Tapas Friday eve on the terrace... A 40 miles return cycle trip along coast to Taurito, with brunch in Arguineguin... Morning jog/bike ride to San Agustin and/or long ocean swims... A 100 miles around the islands trip all day X-mas eve, with (coffee) stops in Puerto Mogan for Irish breakfast in the harbour, Playa Aldea, Puerto Nieves (the two latter for optional swim), Ageata village for lunch in small triangular square by church, Galdar, and Arucas, the two latter with giant churches... And 2024 with a turkey X-mas late lunch on the terrace with friends...  

The temperature in GC was ~4C above normal Jan+Feb+April+Nov 2024.

As we live a third of the year by the river in Bermondsey SE16 4PQ, feel free to drop by there, and for those of you who are able to, join us for my half birthday party at Hermitage Wharf, on the opposite side of the river, this year scheduled for Sun 31 Aug 2:30-6:30pm;

•  Happy Hogmanay Collage (pdf 1p)

Sorry photo function broken...

Early summer celebration of Sydney

Our latest trip to Sydney has been a triumph and apocalyptic. Based in Alexandria/Erskineville, we managed to visit a dozen places, on average 1½ new places a week.

The triumph was that everyone was exceedingly friendly, helpful, curious, concerned. Both locally, within less than a quarter of a mile, where we spent a disproportionate amount of time. Including the local community centre, where we did exercise classes. And beyond. It helped being white, middle aged, with money and English speaking. And it helped knowing inner Sydney.

Seven years ago we did a similar trip, but managed to achieve two or three times as much. But age and illness have caught up with us.

Googee_ is fantastic, near NSW uni, easy to get to from most places; a v.long walk downhill from the L2 tram stop. The ocean was two degree warmer than normal for spring, so swimming was possible from week one. Unfortunately all the traffic, the road tunnels and the luxury SUVs adds to the ocean warming, but why want Australia embrace luxury e-cars, a nation with 'free' electricity? And without a bus hugging the coast, most local beaches and sites south of Bondi are off limit if walking is an issue, unless time consuming transfer through bus hubs.

Newtown_ King Street is much the same as in the past, with a very busy and prosperous top half. In the future, maybe it can benefit from more parklets outside hospitality venues, tree planting at junctions, more bike parking. And more trains stopping at weekends and during off peak hours. I practiced yoga at the far south end, once or twice a week, at the same place I first frequented 17 years ago.

The city centre has improved gradually, with more people, more workers, more residents, more retail. But degenerates with (increased) volumes of traffic. Maybe learn from the City of London, and half the road space available to cars. Maybe time has come to shut a quarter of streets to through traffic at all times. And another quarter of streets outside peak hours.

Mosman and Middle Head_ The area, the public realm, the bayside, the hospitality venues are fantastic, the wealth overwhelming, almost troubling. We swam at Obelisk, Cobblers and Athol bays, the latter by the zoo, and a convenient 20min boat trip from Circular Quay.

Mosman is choking, both with through traffic and local traffic. Maybe an automatic underground light rail, with stations under Neutral Bay and Spit junctions, crossing the Spit Bridge on a viaduct, towards Mandy Vale and Brookvale is needed.

Woollahra_ Our venture to Redleaf beach included mandatory visits to Edgecliff; a fantastic little indoor town centre on top of the station, where you can accomplish daily chores all in one place; To get to Redleaf, involved a short bus ride along a 4-6 lane car jam; Maybe more could travelled by e-bike? Maybe the local buses need to be free for adults? Redleaf beach is a hidden treasure, where I think maybe I should retire and die nearby.

Blue Mountain_ This was our first visit to the hills together, and my first overnight weekend visit. We enjoyed awesome company of almost two dozen, great hospitality, great program and excursion, stunning views west – across the river valley towards endless further mountains in the far distance. The retreat was genuine seventies, comfortable, stylish and well kept.  

Six further places_ We also changed transport at Parramatta, North Sydney, Bondi and Manly–spending 1–2 hours in each place. As well as visited the far NE beach of Botany Bay. Places where we visited in the past included north shore and northern beaches, walking a majority of the coast from Palm Beach to Cronulla. Including past visits, I have walked the entire coast and most of the middle and eastern bay.

London vs Sydney_ Returning from Sydney to London, Londoners need to cheer up. Maybe the Mayor needs to conduct an annual survey, where Londoners friendliness is rated. With the aim of increasing the friendliness decade by decade. And indirectly create a competition between various parts of London and Londoners, between Londoners of different backgrounds, geographic, social etc.

Read more See 2013 in column right. Sorry photo insert is broken...

• Sydney and Brisbane – Low carbon anytime soon? 2017
• The 7 Million Sustainable Dense City? 
• Gold Coast as post-modern hell or heaven? 
• Brisbane as a Mini-Manhatten of the Southern Hemisphere
• Cowboy Town Architecture Sydney Style

Summer 2024_ I achieved four records last summer; Cycled 75 km up and down from Barnstaple via Exmoor to Bridgwater during two days; Cycled 100 km along Elbe in one day; Crawled 1.5k nonstop in 45min at LF Lido; And swam 1.1k nonstop in 45-55min in a pancake flat and still Flughafensee.

Target the over 55s to ease the housing crisis

This article argues that a good, effective and sustainable way to ease the 2020s housing trap, is to build up to two million homes for the +55 year olds throughout England. Not especially targeting the 15 per cent richest, nor for the 15 per cent poorest, but targeting the remaining two thirds 55+ year old mid-income households. The 2020s housing trap is not unique to the four nations of the UK.

My proposal, is to build up to one million council and housing association apartments for the +55 year olds, 9 in 10 with one bedroom, during the next 10-15 years. To allow for a significant proportion of the +55 single households to leave their larger council/housing association or privately rented homes. To settle in bespoke apartment complexes reserved for the +55s. With the proposed number of public housing units built annually, equal to 2-3 times as many public housing units built annually c1997-2010.

The 55+ housing communities advocated above are for the 'younger' elderly, mostly moving house in their early or late 60s. Where the housing communities are self supporting. Where the social benefits of having several dozens 55+ year olds within one medium size community – with their different personalities, skills, experiences – is invaluable. For the individuals, the community, the neighbourhood, and the society at large.

Postscript

Maybe one last key to unlock the 2020s housing trap, is to reform ownership of underused urban land, undeveloped urban land, urban land with absent and/or overseas landowners. To bring back all such land to public ownership – in care of the local authority, Homes England, the county council or regional authority/mayor – with apx one third each. 

• Target the over 55s to ease the housing crisis pfd 2p
• Planning in London

Illustrated London Picture Atlas

Illustrated London Picture Atlas_ During the last two years, we've prepared a medium size book on London that combined photos and text, and that covered both the outer and inner boroughs of the capital in equal measure...  

It is a draft illustrated picture book on the social, geographic, urbanism, transport & history of the 32 London boroughs. The latest version has 60 double pages with two thirds photos and one third text. Each double page contains half a dozen illustrations, each accompanied by a short story or text, present or historic. With an encyclopaedic introduction or summery per double page. 

The latest draft presents all outer and inner boroughs, the former typically on one double page, and the latter on one, two or three double pages respectively. Due to the very rich history of the eleven inner boroughs, focus is typically more on pre 1800 & post 1900.

The publication of the book will take some time, as there are 350 photos that need accreditation. An earlier draft also included about thirty thematic double pages on: history & society, work & leisure, built places & institutions.

• Two SW Inner Boroughs 4p revised PDF

Gran Tranvia GC | Maspalomas 2033

Maspalomas 2033 Verde y carbono cero

Maspalomas tiene un gran futuro por delante como resort costero verde y cero emisiones de carbono. Maspalomas puede lograrlo invirtiendo en transporte, ámbito público y energía solar, incluidos edificios, instalaciones y servicios. Maspalomas tiene varias ventajas comparativas y puede mejorarlas y progresar aún más. Maspalomas puede presentarse como uno de los principales centros costeros del siglo XXI en el mundo durante las cuatro estaciones. A continuación se presentan DIEZ prioridades para Maspalomas durante la próxima década.

Maspalomas puede llegar a cero emisiones de carbono antes que otros centros turísticos costeros. Maspalomas puede lograrlo trabajando junto con empresas, habitantes y visitantes. A través de la recolección de energía solar y eólica con cero emisiones de carbono, mediante la adaptación de nuevas prácticas, aprovechando lo último en tecnología, ingeniería e innovaciones, y probando y demostrando esto a otros centros costeros en toda España, Europa y en todo el mundo.

Maspalomas 2033 Green & zero carbon 

Maspalomas has a great future ahead as a green and zero carbon coastal resort. Maspalomas can achieve this by investing in transport, public realm and solar energy – buildings, facilities and services included. Maspalomas has several comparative advantages, and can improve and progress these further. Maspalomas can present itself as a leading twenty first century coastal resort during all four seasons. Below are TEN priorities for Maspalomas during the next decade.

Maspalomas can reach zero carbon ahead of other coastal resorts. Maspalomas can achieve this by working together with businesses, inhabitants and visitors. Through harvesting zero carbon solar and wind energy, through adapting new practices – by taking advantage of the latest in technology, engineering and innovations – and by proving and demonstrating this to other costal resorts throughout Spain, Europe and worldwide. 

Gran Tranvia GC 

Planificar un tranvía rápido de 160 km/h entre Las Palmas, Telde, Aeropuerto y Maspalomas con 6 estaciones en Las Palmas, 5 estaciones en Maspalomas, 7 estaciones intermedias – 7½ min de frecuencia en horas punta, 10 min de frecuencia fuera de punta, 45 min de trayecto hora. 

Plan a 160 km/h fast tram between Las Palmas, Telde, Aeropuerto and Maspalomas with 6 stations in Las Palmas, 5 stations in Maspalomas, 7 stations in between – 7.5 min frequency during peak hours, 10 min frequency off peak, 45 min journey time. 

• Maspalomas 2033 Verde y carbono cero pdf 4p
• Gran Tranvia GC pdf 2p
• English & French text only rtf

Socio-Cultural Place Studies Guidance

What are Socio-Cultural Place Studies? 

Places can not only be understood as physical structures or as result of physical planning. How we experience a place and what meaning we attach to a place determined who we are, where we come from and who we meet. Moreover, the dominant social practices developing in a place, give the place cultural meaning. This results in a sense of belonging for some and a sense of exclusion for others. As such, there exists perhaps as many notions of the place as there are local people. 

Using socio-cultural place studies, these images, positions and practices can be analysed to provide a better basis for decisions about what a place may be. Socio-cultural place studies, where a place is considered a social and cultural construction and a 'local community product', can provide valuable knowledge for use in work on local place making and development. Important concepts in such analyses are place use (practice), place images (positions and representations) and place interests (power relations). 

Socio-Cultural Place Studies Bring New Dimensions...

Socio-cultural place study bring new dimensions into local place making and development in relation to historic, physical or aesthetic place analyses. Such traditional place studies are primarily based on registrations of landscape, buildings and other physical structures. The purpose has been to improve the aesthetic and functional qualities of cities and towns. Through conferences and courses, extensive guidance material. And assisted by architect and landscape architect consultants,  traditional place studies where prepared by increasing number of municipalities throughout Scandinavia. They use methods of analysis of variation through time, i.e historic development, and through space, i.e characteristics of a place. 

See link below for preliminary 2019
40p draft guidance in English

The social and cultural aspects of a place is rarely mentioned in such traditional place studies, in line with what was intended. In guidance issued by the Norwegian Environment Ministry it states that; 'As a rule, [traditional physical] place studies will constitute a limited knowledge base for [spatial] planning' (Environment Ministry 1993). 

What traditionally has been perceived as physical spatial planning, affects socio economic groups differently, have different symbolic meaning for different groups and are subject to conflicts of interest, both among professionals and throughout a community. These experiences, views and interests are important to clarify, both in strategic long term local planning, and in the more short term or local detailed planning in the form of zoning, master and building plans. In the latter type of planning, socio-cultural place studies can offer an important contribution. 

It is also possible to use socio-cultural place studies in locations that have an unfavourable local place image, and where different participants join forces to try to 'rebuild' a local place image, or construct a new one. In such instances it will be important to identify the different notions or images of a place, and which participants relate to what notion or image. The perspectives and methods described in this guidance, is useful in preparing such studies as well as in preparing a new or rebuilt local place image. 

Socio-Cultural Place Studies Can Increase the Social Capital of a Place

Socio-cultural place studies can mobilise local communities, by establishing a dialog between participants and make the various participants aware of each others roles and positions within a local community. Socio-cultural place studies can increase the social capital of a place, by establishing links, contacts and relationships criss crossing social and cultural lines. 

Socio-cultural place studies can also uncover long established power relations within a community, or newly established relations that may have a major impact on local place making and development. 

It is important to stress that socio-cultural place studies are not the same as traditional community participation. The origin of participation in a Scandinavian physical planning practice, is that different groups and actors have different standpoints and interests, but that these participants are often involved relatively late in the preparation drafting a development plan, in line with current planning legislation, practice and guidance. Traditional community participation further reflects a different understanding of place and uses a narrower variety of methods than is available in socio-cultural place studies. 

While traditional community participation reflects stakeholders' views about a place or a place's development, socio-cultural place studies consider a local place as a product, and a mixture, of different participants' and groups' beliefs, values and interests. An important difference is that socio-cultural place studies also consider the role of planners, politicians, developers and the media, i.e groups that are active participants and groups that set the agenda in local place making and development. 

Why Do We Need Socio-Cultural Place Studies? 
We live in a society where there are increasing demands for transparency. Decision making should be transparent, and different stakeholders should get insight into processes that determine the parameters for their daily life or business. At the same time, society has become more diverse socially and culturally. The multicultural perspective is also about cultural differences and lifestyles that can combine or break up traditional social categories such as class and gender. One example is new consumer patterns, that are very important in local development. This is evident in gentrified neighbourhoods such as Grünerløkka, where many new kinds of shops and services have emerged that target new lifestyle groups, in what was traditionally a working class neighbourhood of inner Oslo. One of the objectives of socio-cultural place studies is to capture this diversity and analyse its importance in urban development.

Contents of Socio-Cultural Place Studies
The basis of socio-cultural place studies is that there exists different notions of a place's qualities, specialities or weaknesses, and not least about how the place should be developed in the future. The images of a place are formed by the perspectives or interests the place is viewed from. Different stakeholders may have the same or diverging understanding of the potential of a place, what kind of development that is desirable and what should be prioritised. Socio-cultural place studies particularly emphasise how different players use a place, what images they have of the place today and in the future, and what interests are related to this. As such, the stakeholder perspective is essential.

Methods of Socio-Cultural Place Studies 
The choice of method, i.e the implementation of socio-cultural place studies, is determined by the intent and the purpose of the study, and by the size of the place. Key questions are: - How will different stakeholders' stances and positions in relation to images or associations with a place be identified? - How can one uncover different stakeholders' use of a place and interests related to this? - What methods are suitable to uncover issues covered by these three approaches?

• Preliminary draft guidance in English (40p January 2019) 

Socio Cultural Urban Place Making

Town Centres, Urban Extensions, Public Realm
I specialise in place making, spatial, strategic and transport policy and planning law.

Plans, Policies & Design
I prepare and write illustrated land use plans, master plans, development plans, planning briefs, zoning plans & regulations, local & strategic plans & policies, transport policy, guidance, strategies, studies and action plans.

Organisational & Rhetorics
I organise and advice on all of the above, including community participation, public meetings, design charrettes, competitions, procurement, project and programme management. I lead, organise people, budgets, schedules, production, quality control. I prepare & head public meetings, consultations, public speaking and write articles.

Tutoring & CPD
I have twice part time tutored a semester long university course –  3rd yr in plan preparation/project finance and 2nd yr in place/landscape analysis. In addition, prepared/organised 4-10 days continued professional development courses in planning obligations/gains, as well as project/programme management.

Commissions & Contact
Please see and use Linkdin for references and contact.


Central, West, South-West & North-East London 2013 – 2015

I specialise in spatial & town centre policy, planning law, urban extensions, opportunity areas, stations, 3D spatial/volume studies, public realm & trees, transport policy in central, inner and outer London.

• Good practice guide on basement developments, Richmond: author (pdf)
• House extensions & external alternations SPD, Richmond: revision (pdf) 
• Local validation checklist, Richmond: update    
• Trees for Redbridge strategy, action plan and legal guidance for trees and hedges in front gardens
• Illustrated legal shopfront guidance for high streets in Redbridge 
• Public realm and surface transport strategy for Victoria opportunity area: City of Westminster (incl 3D illustrations and policies for nine prioritised areas, incl Victoria Station, Terminus Place, Buckingham Palace Road, Land Security Sites, New Scotland Yard, 55 Broadway extract)
• Feasibility study and policies for Hammersmith town centre with 1-3 km road tunnel replacing motorway flyover: 3D spatial/volume study showing 3-5m sq feet of new development (pdf)
• Old Oak High Speed 2 station and opportunity area vision: 3D study of multi-modal station connected to park, proposed Overground station and new canal bridge
• Merging core strategy and development management framework of London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

• One Mile Garden City 2014

• Wolfson economic prize: competition 2014: spatial layout, streets & mobility, economics & governance, environment & health, socio-cultural, existing communities, afterword: 3D/author (6p pdf)

Socio-Cultural Place Studies Guidance 2007

• Sosiokulturelle stedsanalyser: Veileder: AFK, NIBR, Byggforsk 2007; guidance and two case studies; initiator & editor (Preliminary draft version in English 2019)

16 Articles Planning in London 2014 – 2024

• Target the over 55s to ease the housing crisis (131/24 2p pdf)
• City of Southwark 2033 (121/22 3p pdf)
• Mid-century zero carbon in outer London town centres (119/21 4p pdf)
• Bridging Zero Carbon & Active London (117/21 3p pdf)
• A new dawn for housing a more mature city (115/20 3p pdf)
• Heathrow: joining the low carbon and post car era? (113/20 2p pdf)
• Thameslink West, an alternative to Crossrail 2 (111/19 4p pdf)
• Is the 'brick' warehouse striking back? (109/19 2p pdf)
• The 55+ inclusive city in a 75+ inclusive era (105/18 4p pdf)
• A blue-green grid for all Londoners (103/17 3p pdf)
• Is the death and resurrection of London's high streets due? (101/17 3p pdf)
• London 2024: Holistic priorities for prosperity and inclusion (99/16 3p pdf)
• A cycling revolution? Half a century of catching up to do (97/16 2p pdf)
• Central London Red-Bus-Routes - towards 2030 (95/15 3p pdf)
• Crossrail 2+3: Delivering a mid 21st century transport system half a generation early (93/15 4p pdf)
• Thames Estuary in a Post-Car Metropolitan Urban Era (91/14 3p pdf)

Plan N 2005 – 2012

• Hvor bor vi i 2028? Who lives where in 2028? Sub-national population projections (5/2012)
• Spor til vekst? Integrated sub national spatial and infrastructure planning (3-4/2011)
• På søken etter et bedre liv? Migration and planning competence (5/2008)
• Gardermoen som motor for vekst: Economic growth and airport capacity (2/2008)
• Oslo anno 2050: City life in 2050 (laureate 5/2007)
• Samarbeid om langsiktig utvikling på Romerike: Sub-regional spatial and transport development (1/2005)  

Samferdsel 2011

• Transportplanlegging for framtiden? Transport planning stuck in the past? (4/2011)

Publications & Studies 2000 – 2013

• Comparative study of planning regulation and practice: Oslo, Stockholm (client), Helsinki, Malmö, Växjö, Warsaw: Sweco 2013: co-author
• Gjersrud-Stensrud områderegulering: PBE 2014 (strategic zoning plan for urban extension of up to 10,000 homes): co-editor
• Bedre beskyttelse av byens trær: PBE 2012 (legal study on protection of urban trees): co-editor, co-author
• Oslo S områdeprogram: PBE 2011 (development brief Oslo central station area): co-editor, co-author
• Ny giv i Kvadraturen: PBE 2009 (spatial action plan for medieval part of Oslo city center): co-editor, co-author
• Gardermoen 2040: AFK 2007 (regional strategy on airport capacity and economic development): author
• Akershusstatistikk 2006 and 2007: AFK 2007 (regional statistics tables and figures): author
• Romerike møter framtida: AFK 2005 (regional spatial strategy for airport sub-region): co-editor
• Hus Tett-i-Tett: AFK 2000 (examples of dense suburban housing): author 

Plans that I co-edited or co-authored 2008-2012 shown with red circles; misc shown in white.

Zoning Plans & Regulations PBE 2008 – 2012

• Bygdøy kongsgård og folkepark (2 sq.km parkland west of Oslo city centre): co-author; adopted
• Ekebergsletta by og idrettspark (2 sq.km parkland east of Oslo city centre): public consultation: co-author 
• Gjersrud-Stensrud (urban expansion of up to 10,000 homes on 2-4 sq.km in hilly forest terrain): public consultation: co-editor
• Småhusplanen (29,000 suburban houses on 24 sq.km): second revision: co-editor; adopted
• Villaområde Huk aveny (residential conservation area 0.5 sq.km): co-editor; adopted
• Nordstrandskråningen (residential conservation area 4 sq.km): co-editor; co-author; adopted
• Leirskallen (terraced housing on very steep slope): forth draft: co-author
• Bymessig fortetting Slemdal (small town center): second draft: co-author

Development Plans & Studies PBE 2008 – 2012

• Oslo kommuneplan (comprehensive spatial development plan for entire municipal area): community participation, zoning map, regulations: public consultation: internal steering committee
• Stasjonsnære boligområder (five town centers in Oslo south): revision: editor: ongoing
• Eksempelsamling småhusområder (examples of high quality modern suburban housing): co-editor
• OL2022 (Olympic winter games): initial spatial study: PBE 2012: co-editor
• Kommunedelplan byutvikling og bevaring i indre Oslo (zoning plan/supplementary development plan for historic inner city): second draft: PBE 2010: co-editor 
• Kommunedelplan for Lysaker- og Sørkedalsvassdraget (supplementary development plan for river corridor): public consultation: PBE/BYM 2012: co-editor
• Mulighetsstudier Oppsal, Torshovgata 46, Bestumkilen (town center, site and harbour front studies): co-editor, co-author

Transport Finance, Oslopakke 2004 – 2007

• Long term public and road transport financial plan, O3 road toll ring (initial draft 2006): working group
• Trikk til Fornebu: AFK 2007 (tram extension study): co-coordinator: co-client
• Bane til Lørenskog: O2 2006 (light-rail and metro extension study): project coordinator, client
• Byanalyse for Oslo og Akershus NTP 2006 (comprehensive regional transport study): working group 

City of Southwark 2033

Below are eleven strategic steps for Southwark's (central) development areas, blue-green network, high streets, neighbourhoods and public health – to prosper, become carbon neutral and e- /cycling-first – within a decade.

Central & northern Southwark and northern Lewisham, showing development areas (red); river crossings & former canal (blue); larger parks & e-/bike grid (green); four potential train stations (r=½m); institutions, destinations & attractions (stars).

Southwark is historically the poorer 'half' of central London. This was partly magnified after the second world war by 'central' Southwark zoned for (social) housing and light industry/logistics. First reversed in the 1980s by the South Bank Uni and Shad Thames and gradually from the 1990s elsewhere. Southwark can continue and/or accelerate this process, and become the leading carbon neutral and e- /cycling-first inner southern London borough. 

With a great(er) mix of social, educational and employment offers, groups and classes. A majority of which choose e-/cycling for local journeys. And by providing attractions, services and job opportunities to locals, visitors and commuters, the self-employed and start-ups, craftspeople and artists, the young and the elderly alike. Near to where more than two-thirds of a million people live, work, shop and/or recreate. On a daily, evening, weekend and/or weekday basis.

• City of Southwark 2033 (pdf 3p)
• Planning in London