New towns will fail to deliver thriving, sustainable communities unless high-quality public transport is included from the outset, according to a new report from the University of Hertfordshire.
The report argues that decades of low-density, car-dependent housing development has left many residents with little choice but to drive, increasing congestion, carbon emissions and pressure on local infrastructure.
With the Government committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes and considering a new generation of new towns in a response to a report last year by the New Towns Task Force, researchers say there is a clear opportunity to avoid repeating those mistakes.
The report concludes that public transport, walking and cycling networks must be planned and funded before homes are built, making more of a citizen-first approach.
The report’s co-authors, Stephen Joseph OBE and Sue Walsh, say the UK must allow more homes of a higher quality inside a compact footprint, creating a more connected and active community.
They say there should be more space for parks and community facilities – and a reduction in cars, parking requirements, road congestion and carbon emissions.
Stephen Joseph said: “Our report notes that much of the UK’s recent housing development has been of low density, with limited or no shops and community services, limited public transport and, sometimes, no pavements. This leads to car dependence with on and off-street parking issues and wider impacts on people’s health and independence.
“It has been shown in the UK that we can build at higher density with less car use but high-quality public transport must be in place from the beginning and fully integrated with the masterplanning of the developments.”
