Masterplanning
The definition of what constitutes a masterplan can vary. In broad terms, a masterplan comprises three dimensional images and a narrative describing how an area will be developed. Most commonly, it is a plan that describes and maps an overall development concept, including present and future land use, urban design and landscaping, air quality, built form, infrastructure, waste, energy, circulation and service provision.
Masterplanners typically assemble and lead multidiscipline teams that include architects, urban designers, landscape architects, infrastructure engineers, and transport planners, and are well versed in presenting to and negotiating with planning authorities and stakeholders.
Creating a large-scale mixed-use masterplan calls for a wide range of skills and knowledge to deliver the vision. Our Masterplanning service has been developed around a comprehensive understanding of the key considerations required to achieve a financially viable and sustainable solution. Most importantly, our expertise and understanding of both the private and public sectors enables us to deliver strategic advice as well as practical, value adding solutions.
Whatever your project needs, we can develop a masterplan to help determine how the area should develop over time, by setting a vision, a framework and design guidance explaining how it will be achieved. Then we’ll follow up the masterplan with more detailed design of the public realm, landscape, roads and buildings so you can deliver your project successfully.
Our masterplanning services includes:
- innovative thinking for urban areas
- creating a spatial vision and design from regional to local level
- site context appraisal and feasibility studies
- site access, transport and legibility studies
- energy and infrastructure
- sustainable spatial development
- reflecting on identity, structure and socio-cultural use of urban areas
Masterplanning will always be a fluid process, gathering many different partners and opinions together. The three broad stages of the process are introduced here, all of which overlap and inform one another.
- Prepare
During the prepare stage, the client carries out or commissions work to understand the context and set the strategic framework for the masterplan.
- Design
During the design stage, a masterplanning team are evolving the spatial masterplan through a process of thorough analysis, consultations, testing and refinement.
- Implementation
It is essential to the success of the masterplan that the process of implementation is considered right from the start.
There is therefore significant overlap between this phase and the earlier prepare and design stages.
Successful masterplanning is the key to creating great places. A clear, considered masterplan which has been developed by professionals and local people together can lead to the physical, social and economic revival of places.
