By: J Taylor

J Taylor — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:23:00 +0000

As Christopher Alexander showed in his seminal work “A Pattern Language”, the places we accept and feel comfortable in have been shaped by us gradually. Today, the technological imperative (‘it exists, so we must use it whatever the consequences’) leads all too often to tabula rasa proposals on a massive scale, with no thought of integrating what is there, or using it as a starting point.

Instead, older buildings become a ‘heritage offer’ and either set in aspic as museums or are knocked down. Of course what we see as old is the accumulation of hundreds of years of accretion and development, not some sort of holy ‘finished’ design.

Money is the driving force, and the quieter voices you mention are drowned out by the strong discourse of growth and profit. Tourists are favoured at the expense of residents. On visiting the Council building, we go in at the ‘customer’ entrance. When did we become their clients, instead of them being our representatives?

By: John Clough

John Clough — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:10:41 +0000

Very pertinent comments and I understand entirely how you feel. I hope you don’t consider it impertinent of me to suggest that your sentiments will ring a bell with many who are approaching (though in my case leaving at the other end) middle age, when the landscape of our youth, physical and otherwise starts to become unfamiliar to us. It makes us feel uneasy and what is important to us undervalued.
Don’t underestimate the brilliant job this site does in recording and keeping alive the lesser known and celebrated heritage and culture of York, as well as speaking up in a quiet, yet passionate voice for the distinctive nature of the city.
I was struck by the mention (with positive and negative results no doubt) of the increase in the student population over the past half century and particularly since the 90s. It has definitely changed the vibe of my local city of Norwich, which has also transitioned from manufacturing to a more service and tourist based economy. I read recently that the student population of Oxford at the old Poly now Brooks, has increased from 5 to 20,000 in the past twenty years, with little or no planning as to where these students should live, or their impact on local services.
In the end it is about new residents and younger generations respecting what has gone before and building on it organically by preserving its essential core, whilst also making their mark. In my experience it is often newcomers to a place who are keener on upholding local heritage than some of the folk who have deeper roots there.
Thanks for this thought-provoking article and for seeking to represent the views of those whose voices are often ignored or unheard.

Comments on: Heritage versus ‘new stuff’

By: J Taylor

By: John Clough