Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region #2

Last year I published a blog on Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region. This provoked a lot of discussion and some feedback from me in subsequent blogs. To bring some shape to the debate, the Design Commission for Wales working with me, Cardiff University, Tirion Homes, Community Housing Cymru, Cardiff Capital Region and … Continue reading Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region #2

Cardiff Transport White Paper

As a guide, its only 20~30% of traffic at peak times that causes 100% of congestion. So, we need to direct capital investment to provide sufficiently attractive public transport and active travel options to encourage 20~30% less car journeys - not building more roads to induce more car use. In doing so, we also need … Continue reading Cardiff Transport White Paper

WG National Development Framework – some quick reflections…

In August this year, Welsh Government (WG) published its National Development Framework[i] (NDF) for consultation (which is designed to complement and provide more spatial priorities for Planning Policy  Wales PPW published in 2018[ii]).  There is much to applaud – especially the emphasis on Transit Oriented Development (see Policy 1 - Sustainable Urban Growth) and the … Continue reading WG National Development Framework – some quick reflections…

A Cardiff Crossrail…

This blog first published in 2019 to support the Cardiff Council Transport White Paper... PS Jan 2023 - Worth looking at #1 in this blog re: pragmatic phasing of Cardiff Crossrail...A few more Jan 2023 PSs below as well... PS Nov 2023 - I have also added a link to a downloadable PDF of a … Continue reading A Cardiff Crossrail…

Welsh Paradores and Sourdough Bread

Post Script. The Welsh Government Five Year Tourism Plan published early in 2020 now includes a commitment to develop a "Welsh Paradore". See Page 17! Growing the foundational economy across the South Wales Valleys... Wales’ City Regions are still in nascent form and grappling with how to address long term and structural socio-economic challenges with … Continue reading Welsh Paradores and Sourdough Bread

No new M4…so what instead?

A quick brain dump of some ideas (which is a follow up to my earlier piece on why I agree with the WG decision in respect of the M4)..….nothing new under the sun! I have also made a few tweaks and updated the map in response to some comments/suggestions... ....I also penned an article in … Continue reading No new M4…so what instead?

New M4 – Yes or No?

So next week, Welsh Government and Mark Drakeford the First Minister, will make a decision on whether to proceed with the new M4 around Newport. I guess its time for me to come clean as well.  So just a few words to set out where I am on this matter today, June 1st, 2019. Unlike … Continue reading New M4 – Yes or No?

Climate Change, Brexit and The Economy (…and Wales)

I originally wrote this piece in May 2019...so yes events (esp #brexit) have moved on, but I still stand by the substance of my assertions and analysis. If anything the #climateemergency is even more pressing....but given the vacuum of principled political leadership, seemingly less likely to be addressed! I have also covered some of the … Continue reading Climate Change, Brexit and The Economy (…and Wales)

Swansea Bay Metro & City Deal

This is the transcript of the speech I gave at a Policy Form Wales, Swansea Bay City Deal Conference in April 2019 Thank you, Suzy.    I spent about a week, preparing a brilliant presentation for you, really top quality, but it’s not working so you can’t see it! That’s just the way it goes, so … Continue reading Swansea Bay Metro & City Deal

Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region….

To note:  This is really a brain dump article (so happy to take challenges) that will be subject to ongoing refinement as I learn more and better arrange my thoughts... It also follows up my presentation on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for Wales Week in London at the Royal Festival Hall in February 2019. There … Continue reading Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region….