Architects reject government plans for garden cities

摘要

Architects have hit out at emerging government plans for a fresh wave of garden cities, warning new development should focus on existing brownfield sites. Following weeks of speculation, communities secretary Eric Pickles admitted on Sunday (19 January) that the government may build 'a garden city or two' - where there is local support. But the news has been met with scepticism by the profession, with many claiming a return to Ebenezer Howard-style, self-contained communities surrounded by green belt was 'outdated' and would not help tackle the huge housing shortage. Stride Treglown's Dominic Eaton said: 'The whole garden city idea is very emotive, promising leafy suburbs and a quality of life of a bygone age that is not relevant to the way we live today. If [these proposals] involve the use of green belt I would be absolutely opposed to the idea.'