start-with-the-park

72 Start with the park
CASE STUDY
Regional Park and the Panopticons
project, East Lancashire
1,210 square kilometres
Construction period
Ongoing
Transform regional image
Background
East Lancashire combines wonderful landscapes
with an important industrial heritage, which in
some cases has left behind a scarred landscape
and a poor image. The area contains many towns
of individual character, most of which can offer
residents direct access to the great outdoors
within a few minutes’ walk.
The Regional Park covers all of East Lancashire,
an area that is home to over 500,000 people –
the equivalent of a medium-sized European city.
The programme is focused on creating a
recognisable heart in a broad band of urban
fringe land, which adjoins some of the most
deprived wards in England. Like the city centre,
which defines the unique character of each city,
the Regional Park is intended to establish a unique
character and positive identity for East Lancashire.
Planning and design
The enhancement of the landscape through
the Regional Park will combine with measures
to invigorate local economic, housing and social
conditions to take full advantage of the natural and
built heritage of East Lancashire. It complements
other regeneration schemes such as the ELEVATE
housing market renewal programme and the
Rapid Transit project. One of the key projects is
the Panopticons scheme.
Panopticons is a four-year project to create six new
landmarks for East Lancashire – one in each district.
They will take the form of shelters, viewing platforms or
beacons and will be built at high points on key access
routes around the East Lancashire Regional Park,
commanding stunning views.
The Panopticons will, by their location and their
design, become icons for the area, showcasing the
unique character and beauty of East Lancashire and
attracting visitors. They will also be a symbol, carrying
the message that East Lancashire is a place where new
standards for design and presentation are being set.
A complementary education and creative arts
programme, LAND, is developing a series of creative,
educational arts projects inspired by the landscapes of
East Lancashire. LAND is a cross-cutting initiative that
offers an opportunity to involve local communities to add
depth, value and distinctiveness to the Regional Park.
Design teams have now been selected for each of the
Panopticons. An international competition managed by
the Royal Institute of British Architects for the first three
sites received an overwhelming response. All winners
were chosen following extensive public consultation;
construction is expected to begin in spring 2005.