We’ve been pleased to support the Ramsgate Historic Quarter Regeneration Scheme. The sustainability advantages of making the very most of historic buildings in established towns are often missed and the benefits of being in close proximity to the services we need are widespread.
Much effort is made in designing new towns to meet certain minimum standards in terms of active travel (walking and cycling) and proximity to services, and come to expect advertising that hints at new buildings being sustainable as almost a given. In reality though, the achievements for new developments versus re-vitalising established areas of our towns are little more than tick box. The World Green Building Forum estimated in 2019 that over half of the carbon emissions from new construction take place before a new development even starts.
Areas such as the Ramsgate Historic Quarter have grown organically and have created community. Re-using the buildings to their best potential makes real sense. Regeneration schemes such as this offer a moment to pause and re-think. What is the purpose of our streets and is the way we are using them to allow speeding cars to race by preventing us from utilising streets to walk, cycle, chat to our neighbours and connect with the world around us.
A study by Audrey de Nazelle, of Imperial College London, compared technological solutions for active travel to behavioural solutions for walking and cycling and found over 20 times the benefits from walking and cycling. The improvements in physical and mental well-being, simply from the ordinary interactions that take place as a result of less car use have much wider and longer-term impacts for us as people.
Early stages of improvement are underway at the Historic Quarter with new street lighting furniture that not only provides adequate lighting but also creates a sense of shared space. Good luck to all involved.