4th Fl. Building II, Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4DQ T: 029 2045 1964 F: 029 2045 1958 dcfw

1. Comisiwn Dylunio Cymru Design Commission for Wales Urban conservation and urban design in Wales: The perspective of DCFW John Punter, Professor of Urban Design, CPLAN, Cardiff University Director and Chair of Design Review, DCFW 4th Fl. Building II, Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4DQ T: 029 2045 1964 F: 029 2045 1958 www.dcfw.org

2. The role of DCFW Established by the Assembly in 2002: • To champion high design standards • To promote best practice in sustainable development • To promote equal opportunity/ social inclusion alongside • To promote design excellence in day-to- day developments as well as prestige projects Roles include: • design review of selected projects • advice to WAG, NHS Estates, LPAs and developers • skill development and coordination (LPA training) • research and monitoring • education at all levels—primary to professional • procurement advice • LPA support

3. DCFW design review150 projects since 2003 • 23 design experts, competitive interviews, cross-professional, rotated, unpaid, monthly meeting • All projects which LPA, developer, community, or WAG want us to see: everyday to the iconic • Offer verbal advice through dialogue and written report with recommendation • Authoritative but non-statutory

4. The importance of good design Good design is about much more than external appearance and aesthetics Well designed developments: • Perform their functions well • Long lasting and adaptable • Respond well to site/context • Create delight for users/locals • Are energy/resource efficient, low carbon, accessible, • minimise envt. impact (see PPW and TAN12) The value of good design • Good design adds value to the proposed development and to the place where it is located • Good design does not have to cost more, it will often save money: the best design will cost more at the outset but will repay the investment many times • Mediocre design is poor economics and environmentally negligent

5. Urban design and urban conservation • Urban design principles are key to successful planning/development control • Principles underpinned by a conservation ethos Character and context (local distinctiveness) natural heritage, continuity and enclosure, variety and diversity, compactness, legibility, accessibility, public realm, adaptability, resource efficiency (TAN 12/POSW Guide) • ..Urban design and conservation are essential components of an effective planning system. They have the common objective of delivering high quality, locally distinct and valued built environments…good conservation ensures that important buildings and spaces continue to have a contemporary relevance and vitality. Good urban design learns from the past and respects it in developing policies and proposals for new building and refurbishment and for the enhancement of the public realm (CABE/EH/POS 2003)

6. Conservation contexts; design conundrums • City centres and high rise: Cardiff and Newport • Town centre retail: Wrexham, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Pontypridd, • Urban design strategies: Caernarvon, Abergavenny, Swansea • Public realm: Abergavenny, Caernarvon • Conservation area infill: Criccieth, Holywell, Llanwrst • Listed buildings: Coal Exchange, Cardiff Castle • Suburban intensification: Ridge Way Rd Newport, Whitchurch CF14 • Edge city: Dragon Studios, WIBP, Brynmawr, • Rural settlements: Bethlehem • Edge City: Dragon Studios, WIBP • DCFW is concerned to conserve the distinctiveness and ensure the sustainability of the built environment everywhere in Wales? • What can it achieve? (it is not infallible!)

7. Cardiff city centre Altolusso Central Hotel

8. Newport Spires, Cambrian Way

9. Wrexham Carmarthen Major Town Centre Retail

10. Townscape Heritage Initiative Shop front restoration Cardigan

11. Riverfront elevation Angharad Walk Pontypridd: Fifth attempt since 2000 Angharad Park vs conservation area Taff St elevation

12. Caernarfon: Analysis of urban form

13. Swansea Abergavenny Urban design strategies

14. Abergavenny Cattle Market Asda in-town: Conservation Area edge

15. Abergavenny – Town Hall Market space

16. Caernarfon Town Square

17. Criccieth New Street Mold

18. Llanwrst

19. Coal Exchange, Cardiff Bay 3rd floor plan West elevation

20. Cardiff Castle: restoration & visitor centre

21. Suburban Intensification Pegasus Apartments, Church Road, Cardiff

22. Redrow Apartments, Porthcawl Ridgeway Park Road, Newport

23. Villages and hamlets Bethlehem, edge of BBNP Little Haven

24. Edge City Dragon Studios Jct 35a M4 WIBP Jct 33, M4 Brynmawr

25. Some conclusions Questions we ask of planning, urban design and development control • Has conservation been downgraded as a national/LPA priority? • Where are the proactive conservation strategies? • Where are the THF bids and matching funds? • Where are the watchers in the fields? CAACs? • What percentage of CAs have been assessed and how well? • Are there trained conservationists in DC? What is their workload? Can they impact? • The new challenges of scale and height • The complexity of compromise • Can policy and DC wrest back control? • Why don’t CADW and DCFW work more closely together?