Bristol in 50 years: Charles Wilson

As part of a series of articles and opinion pieces looking at how Bristol is shaping up for the future, Bristol24/7 asked head of Bristol Urban Design Forum Charles Wilson for his thoughts.

Design Review is an important tool and aid to Bristol City Council (BCC), and the development industry, in the quest to ensure high standards of design in Bristol. The government now expects local authorities to have local design review arrangements to “provide assessment and support to ensure high standards of design”.

Bristol Urban Design Forum (BUDF) comprises some 35 members who are selected for their recognised knowledge in architecture, urban design, sustainability, transport, planning, landscape design, engineering and the arts. It is an independent body administered by the Architecture Centre and supported by the Council. 

The design review process involves an in-depth informal discussion between designers and clients of proposed developments and a panel of some five or six BUDF members, with BCC representatives in attendance.

These discussions examine the essential qualities and perceived shortcomings of schemes with an aim to encourage the best and achieve improvement or sometimes discourage inadequate proposals. A subsequent review report, available on the website, is provided to both guide developers and assist the Council in its decision making process.

BUDF considers about 35 schemes annually and often looks at proposals more than once. It is both desirable and  beneficial to offer advice at the early stages of a scheme before  ideas are ‘cast in stone’,  in order to assist in generating solutions that will both produce fine schemes and bring real benefit to Bristol.

Recent reviews include current housing developments at Paintworks, new facade treatment at Bristol Royal Infirmary, Metrobus proposals, developments within the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, a Community Land Trust development, and a number of schemes within the central Conservation Areas. 

The visual appearance of new development  and the quality of the proposed architecture is of course very important, but crucial aspects such as healthy living environments, sustainable transport, quality attractive landscapes and great place-making are at the heart of BUDF considerations. All these factors and more will help determine whether Bristol will fulfil its ambition to be a great European city. 

Bristol has many advantages; a splendid waterfront setting, great historic buildings and a dramatic topography with views out to fine countryside.  It combines good architecture and interesting buildings interspersed and contrasted with less than attractive edifices created after the Second World War.

Together with the distinctiveness of Bristol’s many neighbourhoods, this melange provides the uniqueness of the place and a certain ‘grittiness’ lacking in so many cities. Maintaining this uniqueness for the future will demand clarity of vision and a determination to adhere to its principles through time. Adapting to changing circumstances will be necessary, but a steadfast resolve to achieving the long term aspirations whilst maintaining high quality must be paramount. 

Challenges abound, not least as a result of Bristol being at the centre of a hinterland generating considerable economic activity and population growth, but much of this activity located beyond local control and direction. The lack of a truly integrated and locally managed public transport system will potentially limit Bristol’s ambition to become a truly sustainable city. Housing need is significant with prices beyond the reach of many.

The challenges to the house building industry and BCC will be to find the sites for  the provision of 21st century homes, of quality sustainable design in attractive communities, served by the exceptional social, educational, health and transport facilities. BUDF is committed to playing its part in meeting this demanding challenge.