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Image of the current year poster
Ian Tod (right) with chairman of RIBA, John Edmonds |
Following
the success of 4x4 in 2001 and 2002 there will be a third series in March
2003.
4x4 is a unique opportunity in Yorkshire to participate in the debate on our changing towns and cities. At 4x4 you can hear and debate with architects, planners, urbanists, artists, developers, administrators, politicians and engineers who are shaping and improving the quality of our urban places. 4x4 will run over four weeks and each session has four speakers with time for debate. You
are invited to attend the 4x4 Making Places 2003
urban regeneration forum on March 6, 13, 20 and 27.
The Unbuilt Yorkshire exhibition will run alongside the forum and commence on March 13. The venue for both are at The Brunswick Building Leeds Metropolitan University School of Architecture, 6 pm start. Unbuilt Yorkshire the projects that never got off the ground The final entries for schemes that could have changed the shape of Yorkshire have been selected. Architects from across the region have dug deep into their basements and submitted colourful projects from the last three decades that range from the unusual to the controversial. The 25 plans include the following: 1963 scheme to address rush hour traffic in Gillygate, York Controversial project for City Square and Park Row Controversial project for Medieval City Wall in Wakefield designed to keep out traffic and evoking the citys medieval origins, incorporating all the parking needs of the city centre within its structure Controversial lead and gold sculpture at Sheffield Cathedral Ideas for Leeds project focusing on five Leeds city centre sites Mixed use development for the International Peace Centre in Bradford Noise barriers for the M1 at Sheffield short listed for a design competition but rejected because a Department of Transport official said the panels may be stolen because they were so nice!) Pyramid development for office space in Sheffield Underground Visitor Centre for Castle Hill, Huddersfield The schemes will go on show at the Unbuilt Yorkshire exhibition starting at the Leeds Metropolitan University School of Architecture on March 13. The exhibition is attracting much interest and will go on tour to enable a wider audience to see the projects that never got off the ground. The exhibition is a key feature of 4 x 4 Making Places 2003 an annual regeneration forum that brings together wide-ranging professions involved in Yorkshires renaissance. The public is encouraged to take part in the series, which is free and features four speakers a week over a four-week series (March 6, 13, 20 and 27). The programme is supported by local and national organisations including RIBA Yorkshire, English Heritage, CABE and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. Ian Tod of Leeds based Allen Tod Architecture, who launched the 4x4 series in 2001 and came up with the idea for the Unbuilt Yorkshire, said the display certainly captures the imagination. Commented Tod: "Theres been a tremendous response to this quirky exhibition which the selection panel has thoroughly enjoyed being involved with. The criteria was based on type of project, location and regional interest." Participants details March 6 Except the English which looks at housing in towns and cities The speakers: Professor Doug Clelland, of Aire Design - Environmental sustainability Aire Design is an environmental design consultancy and Professor Clelland will investigate some current notions about sustainability probing whether or not we appear able to plan for new communities that address the apparent needs of the future. He will discuss some recent efforts at creating sustainable communities - and consider the real dilemmas in designing for sustainability, especially, it would appear, in England. Professor Clelland is also Herbert Rowse Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at Liverpool John Moores University. Tel: 0151 709 3070 E-mail: doug@airedesign.co.uk David Lumb, M L Design Group Decent Homes in decent Neighbourhoods? David Lumb will speak on pre-manufactured affordable, compact urban living. David Lumb has responded to the government's 'Rethinking Construction' initiative by examining the inefficiencies in the building industry and applying the benefits from factory built construction solutions in the urban residential market. Tel: 0113 213 5656 E-mail: d_lumb@mldg.co.uk Robin Lawler, Chief Officer for Leeds West Homes Robin Lawler will speak on Decent homes in decent neighbourhoods, examining council house strategies and the delivery aims of a council controlled organisation. He will also focus on private sector, examining all neighbourhoods and engaging local communities when delivering housing strategies. The presentation also includes what makes a sustainable community in terms of the physical/environmental and social conditions. Tel: 0113 214 3661 E-mail: Robin.lawler@leeds.gov.uk Bill Payne, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Housing urban city living trends Bill Payne will reflect on and the ability to predict and accommodate trends in urban living, reflecting on how a lack of innovation can be stifling. To stimulate debate and challenge assumptions and aspirations, Bill Payne will also emphasise how the British are great creatures of habit, examining how the spiral of success is reflected in urban living. Tel: 01904 754 400 Mobile: 07966 558200 Chair - Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Lord Richard Best (OBE)
March 13 Attraction examines the ability of places to attract visitors and population The speakers: Dr Nicolas Falk, Urbed Vision for York Dr Falk a specialist in urban regeneration and master planning is principal author of a report "Partners in Urban Renaissance - 24 major towns and cities" commissioned for the Deputy Prime Ministers office. Dr Falk has recently completed an architectural project on a vision for York, having previously undertaken a similar study for Leeds. Dr Falk will focus on the concept of smart growth and the creation of high-density and long-lasting developments and places. . Tel: 020 7436 8050 E-mail: n.faulk@urbed.co.uk Aidan Potter, Terry Farrell and Partners architects of The Deep Aidan Potters presentation is based on the relationship between urban regeneration and the City of Hull in relation to The Deep project. He will be particularly concentrating on how the attraction, which was lottery funded, evolved through the design, planning and building stages. He will also focus on design generation in relation to The Deep, integrating the concept of an exhibition with the architectural design of such a complex building. Tel: 0207 258 3433 Neil Bradbury, Chief Executive, Hull Citybuild Neil Bradbury will present a wide regeneration ad tourism picture, which includes rediscovering cities and the challenges facing places such as Newcastle and Cardiff. He will examine the potential of the waterfront to attract new business and a city living culture, with emphasis on how the above can be delivered and developed. Neil Bradbury will also question if Hull has the necessary features to transform itself and how it can offer a high quality architectural product. Tel: 01482 320021 Jim Chapman, Director EDAW The Manchester Experience Master planner Jim Chapman will speak about strategic planning in Manchester over the last 15 years. He will focus on the architectural audits in relation to the bids for the Olympics and Commonwealth games and how this brought about high quality architecture and infrastructure including the extensive tram service. Jim Chapman will also include other factors that led to the architectural renaissance such as the IRA bomb in 1998, which resulted in the rebuilding of the Arndale Centre. Mr Chapman is the author of the "Development Guide for Liverpool" draft guidance issued in 2002 as part of the citys Unitary Development Plan. Tel 0161 832 9460 E -mail: chapmanj@edaw.co.uk Chair - Andy Coyne, editor of Yorkshire Insider March 20 Public Domain concentrates on the quality of public spaces with contributions from artists, designers, engineers and policy makers. The speakers: Martin Stockley, Engineer, Martin Stockley Associates - The Practical Martin Stockley works from offices in Manchester, Bath and London, and is involved in transport, movement and infrastructure design, as well as building structure design. Tel: 0161 8351122 E -mail: ms@martinstockleyassociates.co.uk Walter Jack, an accomplished Artist who has been working on public art projects and commissions - The Poetic He designs and makes functional sculptures, furniture and architectural elements for buildings and landscapes. He is currently working on a new public space in Leeds, Quarry Hill. Tel:0117 9393336 or 07973 261313 E-mail: walter.jack@ukgateway.net Malcolm Miles, Author/critic, School of Art & Design, University of Plymouth - The Political Malcolm Miles, Faculty member of the School of Art and Design at the University of Plymouth and author of several books including Urban Futures and Artspace and the City, casts a critical eye over the public realm and helps us to understand the politics surrounding it. Tel: 01392 475028 E -mail: mfmiles@plymouth.ac.uk Lindsay Whitelaw, Community Planner, Whitelaw and Turkington - The People Lindsay Whitelaw, a Director of Whitelaw & Turkington, Wakefield and London, has an acknowledged expertise in the management and facilitation of planning workshops which engage communities in the future of their environments. Her experience includes events in France, Germany, Italy and Ireland. Tel: 0207 8200388 E -mail: l.whitelaw@wtlondon.com Chair Robert Powell, Director Public Arts March 27 The Urban Renaissance including Yorkshire Forwards Renaissance Towns initiative The speakers: Kelvin Campbell, Director Urban Initiatives Re-urbanism Kelvin Campbell will present the concept of Re-Urbanism examining which qualities contribute to making successful places and the factors required to deliver Urban Renaissance. Re-urbanism is the theme of a recent document in which Campbell presents an overview of Yorkshire Forwards Urban Renaissance Programme. He has co-written Relate to Re- Urbanism with Robert Cowen, launched at the Urban Summit in October 2002 and is the author of By Design a guide on promoting better design for the Department of Transport and the Regions. Tel: 0207 287 3644 E -mail: k.campbell@urbaninitiatives.co.uk Nigel Lowther Town Team, Grimsby Nigel Lowther, Deputy Editor, Grimsby Telegraph is a member of Grimsbys town team with a remit to driving the initiative forward in the community. A key part of the process entails positively engaging fellow journalists and, as a media representative, Nigel Lowther will discuss how Urban Renaissance is reported. Tel: 01472 359232 E -mail: nigel.lowther@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk Cllr Steve Houghton, Leader of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Barnsleys vision Steve Houghton will speak about the vision to create a 21st century market town that builds on Barnsleys heritage as a centre for trade with particular focus on retail, cultural and leisure aspects. Cllr Houghton will expound on how the urban renaissance programme is the single biggest project investment in the towns history and a major opportunity to turn around the town centre economy. Tel: 01226 770770 John Thorp, Civic Architect, for Leeds City Council next steps in the Urban Renaissance Programme John Thorp, will be speaking about the vision underlying Yorkshire Forwards Urban Renaissance Programme, which is focused on physical regeneration of cities, towns and landscapes across the Region. The programme has been running for 18 months and is set to embark on work in a further range of cities and towns. John will also look at what has been achieved and what it is hoped to achieve in the future. John is also a member of governments Design Review Panel CABE (Commission for Architecture and Built Environment.) Tel: 0113 247 5398 E -mail: John.thorp@leeds.gov.uk Chair - Terry Hodgkinson, Managing Director of Magna Holdings Ltd Notes to Editor 1. For further media enquiries: Contact Sharon Cain, Steve Hare or John Stormont at Quest PR on 01423 564192 or mobile 07711 391561 2. For information on "Unbuilt Yorkshire 1975-2000" and "4x4 Making Places 2003" contact Ian Tod or Jill Callighan at Allen Tod Architecture on 0113 244 9973 or e-mail on 4x4@makingplaces.com 3. Submissions To be sent to the RIBA (8, Woodhouse Square, Leeds, LS3 1AD). These can be in the form of brief descriptions and examples of drawings. Please do not send a completed panel at this stage. Final date for submissions is Friday, February 7, 2003. 4. Event details March 6 - Except the English which looks at housing in towns and cities and will be chaired by the Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Lord Richard Best (OBE). March 13 Attraction examines the ability of places to attract visitors and population, and will include presentations on the city of York and on The Deep attraction in Hull. A regional perspective will be presented by Heather Hancock Head of Property at Yorkshire Forward. Andy Coyne, editor of Yorkshire Insider will chair this session. March 20 Public Domain is chaired by Robert Powell, Executive Director of Public Arts, and concentrates on the quality of public spaces with contributions from artists, designers, engineers and policy makers. March 27 Yorkshire Forwards Renaissance Towns initiative chaired by Terry Hodgkinson, Managing Director of Magna Holdings Ltd. 5. Event background In January 2001, Ian Tod of Allen Tod Architecture, aware that much of the quality work being done in Yorkshire was largely invisible and unknown, set out to widen the debate on creating quality places in which people live, work and play. He invited 16 regional architectural practices to share a common platform in the first 4x4 Making Our Cities initiative at the Leeds Metropolitan University School of Architecture. The popularity of the venture, and the stimulating debate it provoked from contributors and members of the public substantially widened the focus for the 2002 event. Participants extended to developers, engineers, council representatives and the media. The series brought a substantial increase in the number of members of the public who turned up to contribute to the debate that seeks to bring about a step change in the quality of Yorkshires towns and cities. LOCATION 4X4 is held at the School of Architecture in Leeds at 6.00 pm on Thursdays in March at the LMU School of Architecture, Brunswick Building, Brunswick Terrace, Leeds LS2 8BU. 4X4 making places 2003 is being supported by many regional and national organisations. Public relations for 4x4 is being handled, as in 2002, by Sharon Cain of Quest PR. tel:01423 564 192, email: sharon@quest-pr.com BACK TO THE TOP |
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