Hi, saved this post while I was on holiday as I had to respond.
In my novel, serialised at challenge69.substack.com I reference my mum having worked, during WW2, for Kryn & Lahy, a Belgian owned 'munitions factory based in the town. Or, as I speculate, her war effort may have been, "building bombs with Belgians!"
There's so much that I'm learning and discovering about these garden cities. Initially, I was going to write about 3 different architects in one post, but the more I uncovered about Ebenezer Howard and this particular urban planning model, I had to re-focus my attention on the rich history of these influential locales in an attempt to try to do them justice.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Challenge 69! Your novel sounds awesome. :)
Great Read! I'd be cool with North American cities following the European model of getting as many cars off the road as possible and making bicycling and public transit as convenient as possible. Maybe more greenspace, and mixed-used zoning/medium-density housing would be cool too lol
I’d never seen more people walking, biking and running than my trip to Ireland. It’s so true. I wish we didn’t have to commute in these metal boxes on the dangerous road for so much of our day/week. Sigh. Thanks for commenting!
A fascinating read thank you, South Africa has many security estates that combine elements of this. I wonder if there is any that conform properly to all of the tenets. They're mostly leafy, safe, expensive and exclusive. To hide the residents from the relative dystopia outside.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Zane. Those must be big estates! I’d be curious to know how they operate for sure. Sounds like they are magnets but for a select few rather than for a larger population. But I suppose that occurs at varying degrees in most places.
Mostly controlled access points, high walls or fences with electrification. Pre-built roads and basic utilities, and people purchase plots and build according to a specific style guide I presume from the look of them. Body corporate controlling maintenance and levies etc.
Perhaps a different viewpoint to Adrian, but I went to university in Hertfordshire and thus knew a far few people who came from Welwyn Garden City. Sadly I can say from expereince that the young people of the town have the same view of their home as any other - they think it's rubbish and can't wait to leave! Maybe just the inevitable itchy feet of youth.
Hi Rhiannon, no, I get that. Like you imply - the universal desire to escape home. Was thinking of that change of perspective that starting a family can bring: sudden desire for leafy living, nicely built and spaced houses, decent schools along with a well-served town centre. I think the garden city ideal is still delivering something of its original promise.
Interesting! I can see that. I did notice that it seemed like these cities inevitably became more like other traditional cities rather than maintaining the ultimate vision that had been laid out, but maybe that's for the best. I imagine it'd be weird if there was a random spot in the middle of the UK where strict population control and social land ownership existed, almost like an autonomous zone attempting to secede from government control. Sounds more like a sci-fi novel than real life. Anyway, thanks for commenting! It's always neat to hear perspectives from individuals closer to the subject matter.
Hey Winston, both Letchworth and Welwyn aren’t far from me and they’re really pleasant places in terms of greenery in the centre of the settlements and generally spacious layouts.
They seem more of an ideal now because town centres are becoming increasingly soulless due to out of town shopping/leisure villages and also housing pressures mean space is at a premium.
In terms of quality of life, I think Howard was pretty visionary - apart from the pub thing!
Hey Adrian, thanks for the comment. That's awesome that you've seen them in person. It's pretty admirable that instead of just writing the book on it, he attempted to actually do it, even if they aren't exactly as he envisioned. Sometimes life adds barriers, but those barriers can often be blessings. Have a great Monday!
Thanks Winston, yes, I don’t think Amazon delivery was a thing back then, or commuting creep. And speaking of blessings, they now have pubs in Letchworth.
Hi, saved this post while I was on holiday as I had to respond.
In my novel, serialised at challenge69.substack.com I reference my mum having worked, during WW2, for Kryn & Lahy, a Belgian owned 'munitions factory based in the town. Or, as I speculate, her war effort may have been, "building bombs with Belgians!"
Whoa! That's super interesting.
There's so much that I'm learning and discovering about these garden cities. Initially, I was going to write about 3 different architects in one post, but the more I uncovered about Ebenezer Howard and this particular urban planning model, I had to re-focus my attention on the rich history of these influential locales in an attempt to try to do them justice.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Challenge 69! Your novel sounds awesome. :)
Give it a try (for free) at challenge69.substack.com Readership is now up into the 'hundreds' with lots of positive feedback.
Great Read! I'd be cool with North American cities following the European model of getting as many cars off the road as possible and making bicycling and public transit as convenient as possible. Maybe more greenspace, and mixed-used zoning/medium-density housing would be cool too lol
I’d never seen more people walking, biking and running than my trip to Ireland. It’s so true. I wish we didn’t have to commute in these metal boxes on the dangerous road for so much of our day/week. Sigh. Thanks for commenting!
Same!
Thank you so much for contributing this piece Winston! I really appreciate it! (and found it fascinating to dive into!)
Thanks, Elle! I had a blast writing it and appreciate the opportunity. Glad you liked it. :)
A fascinating read thank you, South Africa has many security estates that combine elements of this. I wonder if there is any that conform properly to all of the tenets. They're mostly leafy, safe, expensive and exclusive. To hide the residents from the relative dystopia outside.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Zane. Those must be big estates! I’d be curious to know how they operate for sure. Sounds like they are magnets but for a select few rather than for a larger population. But I suppose that occurs at varying degrees in most places.
Mostly controlled access points, high walls or fences with electrification. Pre-built roads and basic utilities, and people purchase plots and build according to a specific style guide I presume from the look of them. Body corporate controlling maintenance and levies etc.
For the haves it's garden city-esque: https://stonehurstestate.co.za/
I'm a have that's not happy about the world's worst gini coefficient, and tend to cynically subscribe to a paraphrased version of Gibson's quote:
"Utopia is here, it's just not evenly distributed."
Wow 😮 thanks for explaining that, Zane. And for the link. Completely agree with that quote.
Perhaps a different viewpoint to Adrian, but I went to university in Hertfordshire and thus knew a far few people who came from Welwyn Garden City. Sadly I can say from expereince that the young people of the town have the same view of their home as any other - they think it's rubbish and can't wait to leave! Maybe just the inevitable itchy feet of youth.
Hi Rhiannon, no, I get that. Like you imply - the universal desire to escape home. Was thinking of that change of perspective that starting a family can bring: sudden desire for leafy living, nicely built and spaced houses, decent schools along with a well-served town centre. I think the garden city ideal is still delivering something of its original promise.
Very true! Certainly a different prospect to me now 10 years later than it was in those days.
Interesting! I can see that. I did notice that it seemed like these cities inevitably became more like other traditional cities rather than maintaining the ultimate vision that had been laid out, but maybe that's for the best. I imagine it'd be weird if there was a random spot in the middle of the UK where strict population control and social land ownership existed, almost like an autonomous zone attempting to secede from government control. Sounds more like a sci-fi novel than real life. Anyway, thanks for commenting! It's always neat to hear perspectives from individuals closer to the subject matter.
Hey Winston, both Letchworth and Welwyn aren’t far from me and they’re really pleasant places in terms of greenery in the centre of the settlements and generally spacious layouts.
They seem more of an ideal now because town centres are becoming increasingly soulless due to out of town shopping/leisure villages and also housing pressures mean space is at a premium.
In terms of quality of life, I think Howard was pretty visionary - apart from the pub thing!
Hey Adrian, thanks for the comment. That's awesome that you've seen them in person. It's pretty admirable that instead of just writing the book on it, he attempted to actually do it, even if they aren't exactly as he envisioned. Sometimes life adds barriers, but those barriers can often be blessings. Have a great Monday!
Thanks Winston, yes, I don’t think Amazon delivery was a thing back then, or commuting creep. And speaking of blessings, they now have pubs in Letchworth.