Those responsible for regenerating Venice could do worse than look at industrial Teesside, according to the Prince of Wales who told a conference in the city that post-industrial regeneration could restore its reputation for city building.
The Prince was addressing the Venice Lagoon Industrial Regeneration seminar which also heard a presentation from Neil Kenley of Tees Valley Regeneration on the Middlehaven and Stockton North Shore projects.
"I would argue that it is possible to redevelop post-industrial areas such as Venice lagoon in a way which recalls Venice's reputation as a pinnacle of achievement in building cities, demonstrating the rich variety of expression in the built environment that comes from a place that has evolved over time, with reference to both a living tradition and an openness to learning from cultural and natural influences," said the Prince.
He advised against creation of an industrial theme park but urged blending the best of the old with the best of the new.
"Well-designed public spaces, a mix of shops and services within walking distance, values of hierarchy, legibility and proportion, integration of high-quality private and affordable social housing - by incorporating these qualities, and by putting the pedestrian once again at the centre of the design process, and not the car, we are applying the lessons tradition teaches us about how better neighbourhood design improves the lives of those who live in them," he said.
