Canterbury Creative and Cultural Quarter
Canterbury City Council commissioned yellow book and WMUD to carry out a concept study of a proposed creative and cultural quarter in Canterbury. An emerging Canterbury Creative and Cultural Quarter has been identified in the area west of the Cathedral, which already contains some the city’s key cultural assets, including the New Marlowe Theatre and the Beaney Institute. This historic part of the city already has a distinctive character and sense of place, reflected in its independent retailers and growing evening economy, but it is also facing new competitive challenges from the Whitefriars development, which will shift the centre of gravity of activity in the city centre.
The creation of a successful CCQ is not simply an urban design project. It is about bringing the area’s cultural assets, businesses and people into register to create an appealing whole place experience. Nevertheless, cultural quarters require the right physical framework: a permeable, legible urban form; places for events and activities; opportunities to eat and drink outdoors; and good quality buildings, new and old.
The study will be carried out in two stages – firstly we will test the concept of establishing a creative and cultural quarter in the designated area, based on an assessment of the area’s assets and attributes, and a review of market conditions; at the end of this stage we will present an interim report, setting out a recommended strategic proposition; the report will form the basis for discussion at a partner/stakeholder workshop
The second stage will develop the concept through an overarching strategy for the CCQ, which will set out priorities for action. These will include an area-wide urban design strategy and detailed proposals for key sites, as well as an action plan (with outline costings) and a recommended delivery mechanism.
More information about the outcomes of the study is available here.
Canterbury Photogallery:
