Comments for WMUD http://www.williemiller.co.uk conceptual, strategic and development work in urban design, town making, city planning, urbanism and place-making Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:31:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on People and streets by nick wright planning » Blog Archive » Hans Monderman - safer traffic management http://www.williemiller.co.uk/people-and-streets.htm/comment-page-1#comment-88 nick wright planning » Blog Archive » Hans Monderman - safer traffic management Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:22:44 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/people-and-streets.htm#comment-88 [...] 4 British examples as well as robust arguments for why this approach should be used more, whilst Willie Miller Urban Design has more information about how Hans’ ideas have been progressed in the [...] [...] 4 British examples as well as robust arguments for why this approach should be used more, whilst Willie Miller Urban Design has more information about how Hans’ ideas have been progressed in the [...]

]]> Comment on Terrain vague: place and landscape by David Barrie http://www.williemiller.co.uk/terrain-vague-place-and-landscape.htm/comment-page-1#comment-87 David Barrie Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:34:45 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/terrain-vague-place-and-landscape.htm#comment-87 sorry, i never picked up your reply. your right. but our obsession with cleanliness and tidiness now seems to pervade. just look at the food we eat and what's acceptable or not. although everyone laughed at the arrival of minimalist art a long time ago - remember those bricks at the Tate? - for some reason minimalism seems to pervade everything just now. and it doesn't tend to come cheap! sorry, i never picked up your reply. your right. but our obsession with cleanliness and tidiness now seems to pervade. just look at the food we eat and what’s acceptable or not. although everyone laughed at the arrival of minimalist art a long time ago - remember those bricks at the Tate? - for some reason minimalism seems to pervade everything just now. and it doesn’t tend to come cheap!

]]> Comment on The distinctiveness of Bolton by Willie Miller http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-distinctiveness-of-bolton.htm/comment-page-1#comment-82 Willie Miller Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:20:59 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-distinctiveness-of-bolton.htm#comment-82 Thanks Nick - the future blog would depend on Drew since it is very much his approach. I will make the suggestion though and see what happens! Thanks Nick - the future blog would depend on Drew since it is very much his approach. I will make the suggestion though and see what happens!

]]> Comment on The distinctiveness of Bolton by Nick Wright http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-distinctiveness-of-bolton.htm/comment-page-1#comment-81 Nick Wright Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:21:44 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-distinctiveness-of-bolton.htm#comment-81 Very interesting report - the fusion of community input and expert urban design analysis seems to work very well, leading logically to informed policy conclusions. The urban design analysis is excellent - wonderful diagrams like the structural analysis diagram, coupled with insightful analysis like the "shatter zone" concept. I'd love to understand more about the pros and cons of the storytelling methodology: it seems a better way of getting positive community input than stickies-on-boards (which can often lead to a focus on negatives) - it would be fascinating to find out in more detail how it worked out, how the cascading training worked, etc etc. How about a future blog giving your views on the storytelling? Very interesting report - the fusion of community input and expert urban design analysis seems to work very well, leading logically to informed policy conclusions.

The urban design analysis is excellent - wonderful diagrams like the structural analysis diagram, coupled with insightful analysis like the “shatter zone” concept.

I’d love to understand more about the pros and cons of the storytelling methodology: it seems a better way of getting positive community input than stickies-on-boards (which can often lead to a focus on negatives) - it would be fascinating to find out in more detail how it worked out, how the cascading training worked, etc etc.

How about a future blog giving your views on the storytelling?

]]> Comment on Remarkable Rieselfeld by Nick Wright http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm/comment-page-1#comment-79 Nick Wright Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:05:22 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm#comment-79 I'm not sure whether to be happy that properly planned development can happen in 21st century Europe... or to be depressed that we're so far off the mark in the UK. On balance, I think I'm depressed, as the the holy grail of properly planned development seems to get ever further away the more we create new agencies, strategies and legislation. But at least those of us who are committed and vaguely competent can keep on beavering away to do our individual bit as well as we can... I’m not sure whether to be happy that properly planned development can happen in 21st century Europe… or to be depressed that we’re so far off the mark in the UK.

On balance, I think I’m depressed, as the the holy grail of properly planned development seems to get ever further away the more we create new agencies, strategies and legislation. But at least those of us who are committed and vaguely competent can keep on beavering away to do our individual bit as well as we can…

]]> Comment on Terrain vague: place and landscape by Willie Miller http://www.williemiller.co.uk/terrain-vague-place-and-landscape.htm/comment-page-1#comment-78 Willie Miller Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:03:45 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/terrain-vague-place-and-landscape.htm#comment-78 Yes it is a minority sport - just like haikyo. I think drosscape has more negative (and American) connotations than terrain vague and it probably couldn't be the title of a Jean Luc Ponty album. For me the issue is that many people involved in changing towns, cities and countryside in the UK don't seem to be able to accept that environments of different ages, characters and habitats can co-exist - everything has to be simplified and cleaned up to make way for new development. You won't find volume housebuilders so interested in haikyo, drosscape or terrain vague - or even spontaneous environments. The Duisburg developments show an alternative approach. Yes it is a minority sport - just like haikyo. I think drosscape has more negative (and American) connotations than terrain vague and it probably couldn’t be the title of a Jean Luc Ponty album. For me the issue is that many people involved in changing towns, cities and countryside in the UK don’t seem to be able to accept that environments of different ages, characters and habitats can co-exist - everything has to be simplified and cleaned up to make way for new development. You won’t find volume housebuilders so interested in haikyo, drosscape or terrain vague - or even spontaneous environments. The Duisburg developments show an alternative approach.

]]> Comment on Terrain vague: place and landscape by David Barrie http://www.williemiller.co.uk/terrain-vague-place-and-landscape.htm/comment-page-1#comment-77 David Barrie Sun, 30 Dec 2007 07:45:14 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/terrain-vague-place-and-landscape.htm#comment-77 This 'terrain vague' is a real minority sport. I love it! But Drosscape still seems a better, more robust description than a phrase that's slightly cheesey St Germain or the title of a remaindered album. If in the U.K. we did not protect our countryside, what would these unused middle kingdoms on the periphery of towns and cities be like? This ‘terrain vague’ is a real minority sport. I love it! But Drosscape still seems a better, more robust description than a phrase that’s slightly cheesey St Germain or the title of a remaindered album. If in the U.K. we did not protect our countryside, what would these unused middle kingdoms on the periphery of towns and cities be like?

]]> Comment on Remarkable Rieselfeld by Willie Miller http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm/comment-page-1#comment-76 Willie Miller Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:38:02 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm#comment-76 thanks David - it's a fascinating place and well worth a visit. - I'm going to have a look through your substantial site - looks hugely varied and interesting - best wishes - w thanks David - it’s a fascinating place and well worth a visit. - I’m going to have a look through your substantial site - looks hugely varied and interesting - best wishes - w

]]> Comment on Remarkable Rieselfeld by David Barrie http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm/comment-page-1#comment-75 David Barrie Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:23:07 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm#comment-75 really interesting post. thank u. :) really interesting post. thank u. :)

]]> Comment on Remarkable Rieselfeld by Dave Thompson http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm/comment-page-1#comment-73 Dave Thompson Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:51:02 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/remarkable-rieselfeld.htm#comment-73 You have a great site here and this is a very interesting post. It would be so great if you could write something about my work at Auchterness - maybe you could drop in if you are in the area. Best wishes for 2008 - Dave T You have a great site here and this is a very interesting post. It would be so great if you could write something about my work at Auchterness - maybe you could drop in if you are in the area. Best wishes for 2008 - Dave T

]]> Comment on Public realm strategies by Ines Triebel http://www.williemiller.co.uk/public-realm-strategies.htm/comment-page-1#comment-70 Ines Triebel Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:22:18 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/public-realm-strategies.htm#comment-70 Pretty impressive - very good! That's real progress! I didn't watch the videos for obvious reasons, but I will later..... Pretty impressive - very good! That’s real progress! I didn’t watch the videos for obvious reasons, but I will later…..

]]> Comment on The urban morphology of Keswick by nick wright planning » Blog Archive » community capacity in Keswick http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm/comment-page-1#comment-68 nick wright planning » Blog Archive » community capacity in Keswick Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:08:29 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm#comment-68 [...] Click here for an interesting article by Willie Miller Urban Design charting Keswick’s development over time. [...] [...] Click here for an interesting article by Willie Miller Urban Design charting Keswick’s development over time. [...]

]]> Comment on The urban morphology of Keswick by Willie Miller http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm/comment-page-1#comment-66 Willie Miller Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:34:18 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm#comment-66 Thanks Vicky - good luck with your studies - hope this helps Thanks Vicky - good luck with your studies - hope this helps

]]> Comment on The urban morphology of Keswick by Vicky http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm/comment-page-1#comment-65 Vicky Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:03:32 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm#comment-65 This is fantastic! I am doing my dissertation on the urban morphology of Keswick, finding this article was a great suprise...thankyou so much for posting it. As part of my project I also have to design a 'masterplan' and I also saw the need for locals to stay and more employment in other sectors, the masterplan is great too. Again, thanks alot for posting. This is fantastic! I am doing my dissertation on the urban morphology of Keswick, finding this article was a great suprise…thankyou so much for posting it. As part of my project I also have to design a ‘masterplan’ and I also saw the need for locals to stay and more employment in other sectors, the masterplan is great too. Again, thanks alot for posting.

]]> Comment on Figures in the landscape by Design Home Landscaping http://www.williemiller.co.uk/figures-in-the-landscape.htm/comment-page-1#comment-51 Design Home Landscaping Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:40:29 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/figures-in-the-landscape.htm#comment-51 I found your blog via Google while searching for design home landscaping and your post regarding Willie Miller Urban Design looks very interesting to me. I am very impressed with your site. The quality of the design and content makes it a real winner! Thanks again for a great site and a great resource on the net. I found your blog via Google while searching for design home landscaping and your post regarding Willie Miller Urban Design looks very interesting to me. I am very impressed with your site. The quality of the design and content makes it a real winner! Thanks again for a great site and a great resource on the net.

]]> Comment on Forrestburn International Circuit by Willie Miller http://www.williemiller.co.uk/forrestburn-international-circuit.htm/comment-page-1#comment-35 Willie Miller Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:01:43 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/forrestburn-international-circuit.htm#comment-35 Top centre on most of the plans - there is a more detailed plan on http://www.williemiller.co.uk/forrestburn-speed-hill-climb.htm Top centre on most of the plans - there is a more detailed plan on http://www.williemiller.co.uk/forrestburn-speed-hill-climb.htm

]]> Comment on Forrestburn International Circuit by Nick http://www.williemiller.co.uk/forrestburn-international-circuit.htm/comment-page-1#comment-34 Nick Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:39:58 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/forrestburn-international-circuit.htm#comment-34 Where's the speed climb that was built ? Where’s the speed climb that was built ?

]]> Comment on People and streets by ibling http://www.williemiller.co.uk/people-and-streets.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31 ibling Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:22:17 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/people-and-streets.htm#comment-31 If you want to see how Hans Monderman's woonerf streets in Drachten really are an integral part of the local road network, take a look at google maps and switch on the satellite imagery. The woonerfed streets are red. You can see how they fit into the bigger scheme of things - and it's interesting to note that they are on through-routes in the town centre, not just on quiet streets that have parallel heavily trafficked alternatives. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=Mozilla-search&q=drachten+nl If you want to see how Hans Monderman’s woonerf streets in Drachten really are an integral part of the local road network, take a look at google maps and switch on the satellite imagery.

The woonerfed streets are red. You can see how they fit into the bigger scheme of things - and it’s interesting to note that they are on through-routes in the town centre, not just on quiet streets that have parallel heavily trafficked alternatives.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=Mozilla-search&q=drachten+nl

]]> Comment on People and streets by Nick Wright http://www.williemiller.co.uk/people-and-streets.htm/comment-page-1#comment-30 Nick Wright Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:12:50 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/people-and-streets.htm#comment-30 Good to hear that these ideas are being promoted in the UK - unfortunately it's still just the wise few who are willing to take the (perceived) risk of de-regulating. To convince more public officials to take the plunge, I believe each of us needs to chip away whenever we get the opportunity. To help that process, we need to give them positive examples where change has already happened - and has resulted in an improvement to road safety, because it's the dreaded safety audit that often scuppers these schemes. Kensington High Street is often cited as an example. Good though it is, many officials will think "That's one of the busiest streets in London, it's completely different from my town." But there are more examples out there. A good starting point is an EU publication from a couple of years ago, "Reclaiming city streets for people - Chaos or Quality of LIFE?". It uses case studies from a selection of European cities, including a cross-section from the UK : Wolverhampton, Vauxhall Cross in London, Oxford and Cambridge. It's available as a free PDF download from http://www.eukn.org/eukn/themes/Urban_Policy/Transport_and_infrastructure/Roads_and_road_transport/Traffic_management/reclaiming-city-streets_1000.html PS - Willie - the link to the most recent Der Spiegel article goes to last year's article - it should be http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,505246,00.html Good to hear that these ideas are being promoted in the UK - unfortunately it’s still just the wise few who are willing to take the (perceived) risk of de-regulating.

To convince more public officials to take the plunge, I believe each of us needs to chip away whenever we get the opportunity. To help that process, we need to give them positive examples where change has already happened - and has resulted in an improvement to road safety, because it’s the dreaded safety audit that often scuppers these schemes.

Kensington High Street is often cited as an example. Good though it is, many officials will think “That’s one of the busiest streets in London, it’s completely different from my town.” But there are more examples out there.

A good starting point is an EU publication from a couple of years ago, “Reclaiming city streets for people - Chaos or Quality of LIFE?”. It uses case studies from a selection of European cities, including a cross-section from the UK : Wolverhampton, Vauxhall Cross in London, Oxford and Cambridge. It’s available as a free PDF download from http://www.eukn.org/eukn/themes/UrbanPolicy/Transportandinfrastructure/Roadsandroadtransport/Trafficmanagement/reclaiming-city-streets1000.html

PS - Willie - the link to the most recent Der Spiegel article goes to last year’s article - it should be http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,505246,00.html

]]> Comment on The urban morphology of Keswick by Willie Miller http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25 Willie Miller Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:20:43 +0000 http://www.williemiller.co.uk/the-urban-morphology-of-keswick.htm#comment-25 Thanks Nick - the masterplan is available at http://www.keswick.org/aparticle.asp?id=7 - it’s rather a heavy download at 8.9 MB Thanks Nick - the masterplan is available at http://www.keswick.org/aparticle.asp?id=7 - it’s rather a heavy download at 8.9 MB

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