The car out back

摘要

Soulless estates died with the 1980s. Today's schemes look to create community and security, and to tuck the cars out back. When essex county council published its Design Guide for Residential Areas back in 1973, developers nationwide were given a lesson in estate design by a local authority planning department. Twenty-three years have elapsed, and the latest edition of the Essex design guide is imminent. But, whatever it says, since it first appeared housebuilders have learned how to lay out their developments to win over buyers, as well as planners. In the private sector, homes do not sell unless they have kerb appeal and are perceived as being safe and secure. In public sector urban regeneration schemes, developers routinely address safety and crime prevention through layout.