Designers' vision for future of Hull
A Hull design company has launched a new website aimed at showing how the city could look in the future.
Using 3-D computer animated videos, photographs and text , the site includes an imagined view of a transformed St Andrew's Dock complete with visitor attractions, new facilities and restored historic features and puts forward its own proposal for a permanent memorial to the city's lost trawlermen at the dock.
The site also pitches the idea of having a new tidal clock being constructed at the entrance to the city's Marina.
Last week the Mail revealed how Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson had called on public regeneration bodies to consider buying the derelict part of St Andrew's Dock.
The dock's current owners are in administration and uncertainty over its long-term future has put a question mark over a campaign to build a memorial there.
Andrew Fenton, a director at design and marketing consultancy Inter Tech, based in Amsterdam Road, Sutton Fields, said the intention behind the website was to raise the debate about the quality of urban design both in Hull and beyond.
"Urban design is the process of shaping the space in which we live," he explained.
"How urban design fits into the professional world is an area of continuing debate and is one of the main reasons behind developing this website."
Mr Fenton said he was also spurred into action by his own frustrations over the apparent lack of progress on the ground at historic sites in Hull such as St. Andrew's Dock.
"I come from a fishing family and have always had an interest in what was going to happen at the dock," he said.
"Our idea for the heritage dock concept shows how it could look if it was restored to its original water-filled condition.
"It is clear to us that simply installing yet another retail park would be a completely wasted opportunity here.
"Of course, retail stores can and do create jobs and can yield good returns in business rates but at what cost in this case?"
The site includes interactive features, with visitors able to submit their own opinions on each hypothetical concept schemes.
Mr Fenton said the wider remit of hullnow.co.uk was to question current thinking on urban design and offer constructive criticism on key issues, such as the application of business rates, city centre nightlife development and neighbourhood planning.
On each issue, the site highlights examples - both good and bad - in Hull.
"We need to find more exciting ways of applying changes to our local communities. We need to engage younger people into the process. We need to keep people informed of all the major decisions. Maybe then our urban communities would take more pride in their surroundings." he added.
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by james, newland
Thursday, December 31 2009, 8:43AM
“You all seem to talk about "regeneration" as though it is a one off quick fix. Urban regeneration is a never ending process, it is always happening but some places move faster than others. The cities that do it well are working towards a detailed master plan that was agreed by all parties, but they are making the most of the existing character and urban fabric of the place. The cities that do it badly go crazy over some daft 3d visuals and start building generic spaceships. Developments like this look dated before they are finished and could exist anywhere. This does not make a city unique and does not attract people to it.
All this talk of the ferry is interesting but what we really need is the Humber Bridge debt writing off as a matter of urgency. We have a bridge but we can't afford to use it.
A ferry from the old pier would just be a tourist novelty, but where would it realistically take people to and from? They got rid of it because it wasn't a viable business and I'm not convinced that it would be now. The Mersey is a bad comparison, the Mersey has well developed urban centres on both banks. Just putting a foot passenger ferry link across the Humber won't see the south bank change from industry and fishing to something more cosmopolitan.
My second point, there is one screamingly obvious reason why the Lordline building and the Hull River corridor have not been developed.
Smell.
Behind the lordline building there is a fish processing plant.
On Wincolmlee there is a tannery that emits the aroma of blood and ammonia 24 hours a day.
Investing in these sites without solving this problem would be a stupid futile waist of money. Hence nobody has.”
by MancunianHumbersider, Hedon & Bury
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 10:13PM
“Krys, no need to apologise at all. As a City that owes its heritage to the water, I am surprised that more is not made of the natural asset that is the River Humber. What we need to see for this idea to come to fruition is Humbertravel. That is to say we need an organisation like Merseytravel serving Humberside and performing the same role here that Merseytravel does so successfully for Merseyside.”
by Mac, Hull
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 9:50PM
“There seems to be an awful lot of projects "on the shelf" which suggests to be me that Hull is overstretched, resource wise, at best. Surely there is a need to be realistic, we can't regenerate the whole of Hull in one go! Where is important? Where can we make the most of what is already standing rather than adopt the flatten it and build it again approach? Where will Hull people really use, appreciate, love? I've lived a few places and I love Hull, I love the fact that is has some great Victorian features which can't be boasted everywhere anymore. I think the people have a community about them which has been destroyed nearly everywhere. I love that street lines still exist. Without getting stuck in the past, I am a firm believer that Hull's heritage owes a lot to what stands already, which isn't all bad. Every "redevelopment" plan I've seen involves turning Hull into something space age looking, very expensive, which dates very quickly, hard to maintain, impractical from a transport solution perspective and an energy efficiency perspective. Lets spend less and bring out the best features of what Hull is now as well as introducing something striking, that will last, that is appropriate to the surroundings, that genuinely tips its hat to all the good things that Hull is now. Genuine Hull people are, in my limited expereince, salt of the earth, hard working, resiliant, look after each other, do what needs to be done! Lets redevelop our city in the same light.”
by roger roger, hull
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 9:26PM
“Somebody should put robots walking the streets in hull,s city centre it might cheer up the shoppers as they shop smile please”
by jim, East Hull
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 7:28PM
“Andrew Fenton - a director of course, what else ! States, "urban design is the process in shaping the space in which we live" !
Yes,quite. We could not possibly of known this seeing as we are all thick in Hull, could we now ? What waffle.
You smug, patronizing twerp. How pretentious are you? My skin is moving.
And how desperate to get OUR council to invite your company to get involved with such a project.
How much effort, time, and money have you already put into YOUR proposal and without even being asked ? OR HAVE YOU !
My goodness, who the hell do you think you are ? What a creep - scary.
I really hope our council tell you what to go do with yourselves. I feel sorry for the people around you - DO ONE DIRT BAG”