Big Issue: A city needs people living in it to truly prosper
I WANT to see a prosperous Gloucester.
I think we all do. But maybe "prosper" is perceived in different ways. Of course, "prosperous" suggests a bustling high street, full of bag-laden shoppers and chinking tills, or at least in a commercial sense it does.
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THE FUTURE: Plans have been drawn up to change Maitland House, Gloucester's former register office in Spa Road, into 11 flats.
In the current economic climate, this is difficult for any city; yet I believe Gloucester can still flourish.
If we are to regenerate our city, it is imperative that people live in it (rather than in suburbia). With this in mind, it was good to hear in The Citizen that there are plans to convert the former register office on Spa Road into flats.
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If we were to travel back 50 years, and walked down one of the city centre streets, we would discover countless city centre residences.
Many would live above their very businesses and workplaces – and nor was it frowned upon to do so.
In fact, the architecture of Gloucester reveals quite the contrary; it would appear that, throughout history, a Gloucester pad has been really quite snazzy.
I cite the magnificent Tudor Merchant's house on Westgate (Winfields) or Constitution House (the Conservative Club) – both of these salubrious properties were built by men proud to live in their home city.
And so should we be.
This was the key to the sense of community, the vitality and the energy of our city.
It was not just a "shopping centre" but a home itself.
Yet, from around 1950 onwards, there has been an increasing rate of relocation to the outskirts.
Apart from London, city centre living has become unfashionable and thus a human aspect of the city has been lost.
If people live in a city, they will visit cafés, restaurants and pubs, they will build friendships with the local businessmen and landlords, they will rejoice in their city.
This is the Gloucester I want to see.
However, I said I was "happy" with the news of the Registry office for a reason.
I am not delighted, for the accommodation that it will provide is only really suitable for couples – not families.
Much of the grandeur of Brunswick Square and the Park area has been lost by the conversion of these splendid Georgian terraces into one bedroom flats.
Developers, blinded by profit, have chopped them into smaller and smaller segments, with no regard for their period features.
Whereas many of Cheltenham's town houses have remained true to their name, their Gloucester counterparts have been, and still are, divided and divided until all their original character has been lost. For this reason, I am greatly encouraged by the plans for the former Technical College on Brunswick Road. Rather than transforming the current building into flats, it will be demolished and houses built, including a public square – a mirror of the neighbouring Brunswick Square.
Of course, houses cannot be afforded by all, but Gloucester is already overflowing with blocks of flats and could do with some more grand designs.
Comments
by Bonkim2003
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 12:56PM
“What is new? Cities evolve when people come in to work/conduct business, and live. Conversely people will not move in if there is no work or proximity to work - Cities rot, and die too.”
by bdbear
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 12:24PM
“So Cheltenham have kept there grand houses as separete dwellings , I think not 99% have been turned it to flats . You want the city to prosper by pulling down a fine 1930,s building and instead throw up a bunch of cheap flats for social housing sure the area will be an eyesore very quickly . Most councils would have made sure the old Tech was converted rather than being pulled down , you go on about Glos loss of old buildings well now you are supporting the vandalism that has ripped Glos apart for the last 40 years .To make the city prosper in this day and age against out of town centres and the internet people want a good pleasant shopping experience ., Gloucester does NOT provide this in any real shape or form . Count how few real shops we have to attract people 10/20 ? not more than that , it needs massive investment 2million of Tescos is just the start , what are the landlords of all these empty shops doing ? you would have thought they would be trying to get new shops in but it does not seem like it . Xmas is just around the corner let us hope someting will be put on to bring shoppers in , last years lights were terrible , lets put lights in all the trees, decorate Debs , have the choir up from the cathederal, coordinate attractions with the Quays they in that small area put the rest of the centre to shame .If things dont improvve very soon you can kiss good bye to Glos as a shopping destination”
by Douglasknows
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 12:04PM
“I want, I think, I cite, I was not happy, I am not delighted, I am greatly.............................who is this I am that wrote this article?”
by Lecorche
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 11:06AM
“I live in Hardwicke but consider myself to be in a suburb of the City.
Less than 4 miles from the Cross and buses every 15 minutes to the centre at Eastgate.
Otherwise I'm in the same boat as Tim except that I often go to Chelt on the bus.”
by TimMessanger
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 9:02AM
“OK I live in the city centre, apart from the lack of a large slice of farm land as a garden there are MANY advantages to living in the city centre.
I don't have to drive or catch a bus to get into the city centre I can walk where I need (This has obvious health benefits.)
I have a choice of 4 supermarkets within walking distance to shop at soon to be 5 with the opening of Morrisons.
If I need to go to Cheltenham and don't want to drive I don't have to get a bus into the City then catch either the bus or train to Cheltenham causing in some cases a very long journey times, by the way the train is much better, even with the walk in Cheltenham it's quicker and more comfortable than the bus trip through Churchdown.
If I want to have a few drinks on a night out I don't need to get a taxi home if I'm after the buses finnish.
When I want a walk I just go to Alney Island or around the city centre looking up at some of the bountiful architecture.”
by GlosYap
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 8:58AM
“Watched an interesting documentary about the phenomenon of middle class "flight" to the 'burbs in the US. The documentary finishes with criticism of urban periphery/ suburban growth, mentioning that increases in the price of petroleum, increased congestion and reduced access to efficient public transport will make OOT living vastly more unaffordable in the future. The problems mentioned above could in time solve themselves if the people in power have the ability to support the flow of people back within city/ town boundaries. Unfortunately the emphasis of the current government seems to be on freer greenbelt development rather than recycling of urban brownfield....”