Earlier this year Lord Wolfson, Chief Executive of Next, launched a competition to generate ideas for how to deliver ‘garden cities’ to address issues of a growing population, and the poor design and quality of many ‘housing estates’ – a key reason for them being so vehemently opposed by local communities. The 5 finalists were announced earlier this month, and have until 11th August to work up their idea.

One idea from David Rudlin* et al, is to grow an existing city by almost doubling its size (not unlike the Leeds LDF ambition), but to grow it as a garden city, here named Uxcester, with social capital, a solid economic plan, and a ‘social contract’. David’s entry also explains many of the reason behind the current dysfunctional housing market that we are feeling the effects of in Aireborough.

The Uxcester entry is here

The rest of the five shortlisted Wolfson Prize entries are here, together with some ‘lightbulb’ ideas.

* David worked on the Bradford’s Little Germany regeneration, and has done a lot of regeneration planning in Manchester and other northern towns.