Land Use Change and the Planning Process in Historic Town Centres

Abstract

The study makes an assessment of the role of planning in the pattern of land use and processes of change in historic centres. A comprehensive view is taken to locate and document change, both historically and in major land use activities, primarily retailing, and also at different geographical scales. This helps to explain some aspects of area change and problems arising for planning particularly on the edge of the central area. By concentrating on land use and planning outcomes, the study covers aspects often ignored in the historic town context, where most concern tends to be for the physical fabric. The research therefore contributes to the knowledge and techniques available to more fully understand change within centres. The method of investigation is via a case study of one historic centre, Shrewsbury. A transect through the centre enables rates and types of change to be compared between the core and fringe, and the specific influences of planning pressures and decisions to be related to policies and change over time and space. It is also the basis for an interview survey of businesses. The organisation of the thesis is in three parts. The first reviews changes which have taken place in historic centres and their inter action with planning styles and policies. Theories of land use structure and change on which much understanding of towns is based are discussed. The main issues and questions raised are then explored in the second part by means of the case study. The final part, which sets out the general conclusions and implications for local planning, gives particular importance to change in fringe areas. The information and techniques which would make the planning process more responsive to change in historic centres are noted and suggestions made for undertaking land use and area impact studies.