MASTERPLAN THE KEY TO REALISING SUCCESS
26 February 2008
John Cadwallader, chief executive of Derby Cityscape, explains why a planned and considered approach to revitalising the city will ensure key developments are right for Derby now and for years to come
Masterplanning is a recognised model for regeneration, as it provides a framework to guide the rejuvenation of an area and to meet the aspirations of the city for generations to come.
Masterplans are also an effective vehicle for taking forward a shared vision for the future of an area. It is this widespread ownership and involvement that gives a masterplan its greatest chance of success.
In Derby, the masterplan vision was formulated through a collaborative process where local stakeholders, including businesses and local communities, considered and debated the long-term aspirations for the city centre.
Derby Cityscape published its first masterplan in January 2005, which outlined the vision for the future of Derby city centre.
However, the masterplan is not a static document and needs to be seen as a flexible framework capable of responding to continuing consultation.
With this in mind, Derby Cityscape published a revised masterplan for public consultation in October 2006.
This included changes to some of the original proposals that were no longer considered viable or appropriate. The revised masterplan also reflects work on other strategies. Public consultation took place until February 2007, when it was again officially adopted by Derby City Council.
The masterplan for Derby city centre takes a holistic view of the area, addressing the housing, commercial property, retail, public open spaces, transport infrastructure and tourism elements that make up a successful area.
With so many aspects involved in the overall regeneration of the city centre, it is vital that all developments are considered as part of this wider picture.
Our clear and concise masterplan also gives potential investors a clear message that we mean business and will work in partnership with them to ensure the right developments are secured for the city centre.
Rather than regarding individual developments in isolation, each project must address a clear requirement outlined in the masterplan and have a direct impact on the day and night time economies of the city centre.
We are now on the brink of addressing many other requirements of the masterplan, particularly the need for high quality hotels, new city centre commercial property, city centre-based leisure opportunities and further housing developments.
The £3.8 million Cathedral Quarter boutique hotel refurbishment will open after Easter; work will start soon on the 226 bedroom Jury's Inn hotel and two further hotels will make up the Riverlights development.
The city's urgent need for large-scale, good-quality office space will start to be addressed by key developments: Cedar House Investments and Bolsterstone on Cathedral Road, Wilson Bowden at Full Street, and Riverlights by the Derwent.
The Quad visual arts and media centre in the Market Place and 12-screen cinema in Westfield Derby will give people more reason to spend their leisure time in the city centre rather than going out of town, which will have a knock-on effect for shops and restaurants.
Derby has often been described as a city of untapped potential and it is Derby Cityscape's job to release that potential, attract investment and create a more inclusive city centre.