David Lock Associates on master planning the Oxford MK Cambridge Arc
The planning consultancy, David Lock Associates, is the latest organisation to take up a membership with Future Cities Forum and will be contributing to both our September and November forums, on the development of master planning in cities.
In September we will be running discussions on master planning around major transport hubs, new housing districts and high street regeneration with advanced mobility for cities, followed by a research round table. In November, the importance of master planning to support sustainable growth of our leading innovation hubs and science cities will be debated at our University of Cambridge location.
David Lock Associates has been working for Milton Keynes Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northamptonshire Council on the Oxford MK Cambridge Arc (O2C) as lead planners and masterplanners exploring spatial growth opportunities in the O2C area.
The initial commission undertaken was as part of MK Futures 2050 Visioning, setting an aspiration for Milton Keynes to grow to a population of over 400,000. The practice also examined spatial options for coordinated well planned and integrated growth maximising economic and physical benefits arising from committed strategic infrastructure projects including East West Rail and the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway.
Working with specialist consultants, DLA is leading and shaping the long-term policy framework for the central part of the O2C Arc which will enable the delivery of transformational growth and regeneration set out in the 2050 Vision. Wider than a planning policy document, the Growth Study will shape the spatial aspects of successive development plans, strategic priorities, corporate policies and direction of travel.
DLA joins the UK government's place-making expert LCR Property, Rogers Stirk Harbour, DG Cities, The Faraday Institution, Redbridge Council, architects Stride Treglown and Immense Simulations among others, at our place-making forum in September. Transport for London's strategic planning adviser Stuart Robinson will also contribute.