Fawley Waterside – A placemaking case study – John Adams, JDA Planning Consultancy

John Adams, Director of JDA Planning Consultancy, joined The Urbanism Hour to explore the different dimensions of placemaking in a planned new community in the New Forest National Park.

Here the coastal setting on Southampton Water, the legacy structures of the former power station, and the opportunity to reconnect the New Forest to the sea combine to provide a remarkable opportunity to create a beautiful working and living community.

The development will integrate 1,500 new homes with more than 2,000 jobs in technology led and marine business, all within a Nature Park of 275 ha of restored New Forest and coastal landscapes, delivering a substantial net gain in biodiversity.

Strategic green infrastructure and sustainable transport connections will connect the new community with the existing towns and industry along the New Forest waterside. John argues that working out how a new community will contribute to the local economy and connect with existing communities is an essential part of placemaking. Having an economic purpose is as important as beautiful buildings and spaces. Fawley Waterside sets out to deliver both.