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What have we discovered about this theme? |
General Findings
Small towns are generally very compact in size. Unlike larger urban areas, there is generally little land available within the small town for residential growth. In addition, new residential areas tend to be large-scale projects. As a result, most residential growth tends to be ‘added on’ to the outside of small towns.
As small towns usually have a long history, the design of existing housing is usually unique to the local area. Usually housing has been built using local materials, creating a vibrant and original-looking community. New housing can vary in terms of quality of design (see ‘Built Heritage’ component). Practitioners should ensure that new housing contributes to local character.
Unlike city centres, new residential areas in small towns provide very little rental opportunities and increasingly tend to provide for owner-occupied family homes. This excludes many local residents, especially young people from the local housing market. As a result, many will leave the town in search of more affordable accommodation and many young people may not return (see ‘Equal Opportunity and Inclusion’ component). Opportunities may exist in some small towns for living above shop units.
Essential Aspects
The most crucial aspect to providing sustainable housing in an expanding small town is integrating the above aspects of housing – location, design, and type. Practitioners should work to ensure new housing is located within a small town wherever possible by identifying possible areas for regeneration or infill. New housing that is ‘added on’ to a small town should be integrated with new retail, business opportunities and community facilities (see ‘Jobs and Employment’ and ‘Community Safety and Facilities’ components).
This will help reduce the divided sense of community, and stimulate economic growth. A diverse range of housing types should be encouraged and opportunities for apprenticeships during the construction process should be considered. This will ensure an inclusive housing market, with options for all members of the community.
Finally, an integrated well-thought design will provide continuity from the old to the new areas. This will significantly reduce the sense of division within the community by maintaining the local sense of identity (see ‘Identity and Culture’ component).
Leadership from the local authority - in the form of Masterplans, Development Frameworks, Developments Briefs, Design Codes, Design Guidance, land assembly, and developer negotiation – can help produce housing that is more affordable, more environmentally friendly and more beneficial to a small town in terms of location, character and general impact.
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