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Chapter III – part two: A large town

The central area design: 229–231

 Novermber 1963    The Buchanan Report    Chapter 3ii  
Contents • Chapter 3ii • The central area design

We estimate that 115 acres, or 48% of the central area would need to be redeveloped to achieve this plan. This includes land for roads and parking garages

The central area design

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We decided to explore the last of these possibilities. The broad proposals are shown in Figures 133-134. The main feature is the creation of an extensive traffic-free shopping area comprising Headrow, Briggate, Commercial Street, Kirkgate and Boar Lane, with a pedestrian square in front of the Corn Exchange. The local distributors are based on existing roads with the exception of one new road which is needed to make possible the conversion of Boar Lane to a pedestrian shopping street. Comprehensive redevelopment of the south side of Boar Lane, as far as the railway, would be necessary. We have assumed ground level shops fronting onto Boar Lane, with servicing and some parking to the rear, and multi-storey parking accommodation above.

Fig. 133 The central area network and car parking proposals.
Fig. 133 The central area network and car parking proposals.
Fig. 134 The central area design showing the integration of the primary and district distributors with the regrouped uses to form environmental areas. It also shows how the pedestrian system
Fig. 134 The central area design showing the integration of the primary and district distributors with the regrouped uses to form environmental areas. It also shows how the pedestrian system
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The opportunity presented by the construction of the new district distributor to the east of Vicar Lane could be used to create an upper level market and shopping area for pedestrians, stretching up to the east side of Vicar Lane, with bridges for pedestrians connecting, over the local road, with the ground-level pavement on the west side. A service area and bus station are placed underneath the upper level shopping area and market. Below these, again, and taking advantage of the fall of the ground eastwards, is one floor of car parking.

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The areas adjoining the district distributor would need to be redeveloped comprehensively. In other respects, the proposals for local roads and pedestrian streets would allow for the gradual renewal of the main shopping centre. Nevertheless, in certain parts of the centre, the redevelopment of sites would have to take place on a fairly large scale to facilitate the ‘back servicing’ of buildings fronting onto pedestrian shopping streets. We estimate that 115 acres, or 48% of the central area would need to be redeveloped to achieve this plan. This includes land for roads and parking garages. The area affected is shown in Figure 135.

Fig. 135 Areas which would require redevelopment in order to permit the construction of the distributors, parking facilities, and conversion of certain streets to pedestrian
Fig. 135 Areas which would require redevelopment in order to permit the construction of the distributors, parking facilities, and conversion of certain streets to pedestrian
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