SUNN Launch Event at New Earswick, York

In sponsoring SUNN for two years, following a feasibility study, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation aimed to extend their interest in ‘poverty, place and empowerment’ by improving the contribution that affordable mixed new communities make towards these objectives.

The launch of SUNN was held at Folk Hall, New Earswick, York on 23rd November 2009. It was a successful day event with opening comments by Chair John Hocking, JRHT Executive Director. John was followed by Julia Unwin, the Chief Executive of the Foundation and Housing Trust, who stressed that JRF wanted to ‘share what does and does not work’ in developing mixed communities. She pointed out that successful places, like New Earswick, have stood the test of time because of long-term stewardship and there should be similar aspirations for the current round of new communities. The Housing Trust’s scheme for building 540 homes in Derwenthorpe on the eastern edge of York provided an opportunity to bring Joseph Rowntree’s original vision up to date and to apply learning from other parts of the country.

Dr Michael Carley and Dr Nicholas Falk then gave an introduction to SUNN. Michael Carley explained the need to raise standards in building urban extensions all over the country so sustainable urban neighbourhoods became commonplace rather than the exception. One way to change practice is through ‘learning by doing’. Nicholas Falk from URBED explained that the network might address a series of common issues of sustainability. He mentioned the six Cs of community, connectivity, climate change, character, collaboration and cash flow to stress the importance of looking at places holistically. As we often know where we want to be, but not how to get there in stages, there was to be a particular emphasis on understanding the economics of sustainable development at different stages and in different types of location.

In the afternoon a Workshop discussion focused on:

Critical issues for new communities
Innovations underway
How to influence Government and others

This was followed by discussions of how we can best share experience through the

Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Network and next steps

Code of practice
Membership
Briefings and reports
Next event(s)

By the end of the day the SUNN networks aims were clearly understood: to support good practice among its members, promote innovation in community building across England and influence national policy. Network members in a range of new communities were selected for the ambition of their development objectives and willingness to share experience