Upton, Northampton, England, UK

Role: Bruce Edgar - Senior Urban Designer (2006 to 2009)

Company: Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, London, UK, and seconded as Policy Advisor to National Consultancy Unit, English Partnership, Milton Keynes, UK.

Project Description: The project was the creation of a sustainable urban extension of 1350 dwellings to the Historic town of Northampton. It was designed to be seen as a natural extension of the growth and development of the town, respecting its past history but also being seen as a modern and progressive development using the latest sustainable development principles that have evolved over the last 10 years and changed the planning is carried out. The PFBE believes in teaching by doing and creating a number of exemplar project which can show how good design and community can be achieved.

Bruce's role was multi-functional and involved a number of roles and positions. He worked for 3 1/2 years as the representative of the Prince's Foundation of the Built Environment on the Steering Group and also the working Party supervising the delivery of this important project. This involved closely with the all the interested parties involved in the project including, national, local statutory authorities, as well as planning development consultants, developers, politicians as well as members of the local community. He worked as an Architect, Urban Designer, and design champion for the local community. This was a very unique project and was at the cutting edge of thinking about design and planning for sustainable urban development.

He was responsible for the delivery and facilitation of the aims and objectives of the Masterplan (carried out after an Enquiry by Design) and Development Codes during the building phases of the project. Converting dreams and philosophies into reality and ensuring the project was an exemplar of its kind of planning and development demonstrating sustainable development following New Urbanist Principles in the UK.

Upton is a showcase of the latest thinking and concepts and is truely an exemplar of its kind. It is visited by people from all over the world, and was awarded as interested in the latest approaches to Urban design success of the project as an exemplar, was demonstrated by being awarded a number of awards including the 2008 Royal Town Planning Institute, Sustainable Communities Award.