REVITALISE
Studio Mutt
Learning from the past to shape the town centres of the future. ​
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In the past century, planning policies and trends for town centres in Britain have played a pivotal role in driving substantial transformations, reshaping the urban landscape and influencing the way people live, shop and work.
From the 1970’s onwards the arrival of the retail shopping mall concept, in tandem with the rise of the car and its dominance in master planning decisions, town centres saw further reinvention.
Undoubtedly successful for many decades, this model came at the expense of ‘place’, with large-scale site clearance, loss of heritage and design of inwardly facing buildings which physically turned their backs on the communities they should serve, further disconnected by expansive new roads.
Over the last 30 years we have seen a proliferation of changing shopping habits, resulting in a vicious cycle of decline for town centres, with increasing vacancy rates, lower footfall and diminishing public realm. There is now a clear and recognised urgent need for revitalisation.
The UK has a deep and rich history, sometimes faded, forgotten or hidden beneath. And with that history comes a strong sense of community. The ‘future high street’ may therefore not need a complete reinvention. Instead we should rediscover and celebrate that past heritage, culture and sense of place, in order to breathe life into these spaces and create thriving, sustainable, healthy, connected town centres which are fit for the future.
HISTORY
Like most town centres, Stretford, in Trafford, Greater Manchester, has a rich and fascinating history - filled with rhubarb fields in its rural beginnings before maturing into a residential neighbourhood in the 20th Century, King Street was its centre and its high street, represented in 1910 on coronation day as a vibrant, community street.
A NEW MALL
In the 1960’s huge change came in the shape of a new shopping mall, replacing the traditional shopping district which had been centred around the former King Street. Shopping was being transformed into an exciting leisure experience with malls providing a space for people to meet, eat, shop and socialise all under one roof, representing the golden era of retail.
DECLINE
By the turn of the century, retail began to consolidate itself into other centres before moving increasingly online. A decline in the requirement for physical retail space continued apace to the point that in many cases, a mall is too large and no longer fit for purpose.
FUTURE
An authentic, diverse new offer is needed. A vibrant, accessible, sustainable, creative town centre whose identity is forged in its past, it builds on communities and encourages healthy living in a retrofit-first approach. Fundamentally rediscovering what it is to be an authentic local town centre once more.
We recognise that buildings have an impact beyond the confines of their sites. We are interested in the wider relationships between buildings and their historical, environmental and socio-economic contexts. In our urban design, we want to create accessible and liveable communities and cities which inspire a sense of belonging and ownership for all.
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Find out more about how our architecture shapes sustainable communities on the FCBStudios website.