GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
Detail view from Circus Street development of Victoria Gardens South shoiwng new paths , perennials and cycleway © Edward Bishop
Over the years the literal sense of Valley and Gardens had been lost so UP ’ s proposals reinstate both by reconsidering the site ’ s landscape urban history , from seasonally inundated commons , to promenading gardens . Ideas to emphasise movement ‘ flows ’ along the length of the valley floor were explored to inform the design of the open spaces as a ‘ linked park system ’, inspired by Frederik Law Olmsted ’ s ‘ Emerald Necklace ’ in Boston . Conceived as a series of landscape strata that progress from grey to green , highways to parks , hard to soft , roads to paths , lawns , gardens and trees , the scheme provides almost 2.62ha of vibrant public realm for Brighton .
View to Victoria Gardens South with Mazda Fountain in foreground , showing new lawns and trees beside mature Elms © Edward Bishop
The new urban landscape was completed in close coordination with ambitious highways modifications along a busy arterial city centre route to the seafront .
Following a nine-year long journey , UP ’ s ambitious regeneration has completed as the UK exits its second Covid-19 lockdown , providing a timely new outdoor public amenity for the city . The potential for the site was first highlighted in Jan Gehl ’ s ‘ Public Space Public Life ’ study carried out for Brighton & Hove City Council in 2007 , and the council ’ s Public Realm Analysis of 2011 , which documented the existing site ’ s many issues ranging from a complex highway layout with inconsistent pedestrian crossing points to poor air quality .
In 2014 Brighton became one of the world ’ s first UNESCO Urban Biosphere Reserves , the first completely new Biosphere in the UK for nearly 40 years . Valley Gardens lies strategically central within the urban ‘ transition area ’ of the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere - known as ‘ The Living Coast ’ - and sits within the Valley Gardens Conservation Area , which includes John Nash ’ s famous Grade I listed Royal Pavilion . The Pavilion Gardens and Grade II listed North Gate define the southern extent of the project site , and Charles Barry ’ s Grade II * listed St Peter ’ s Church defines the north end of the site .
The introduction of wider footpaths throughout were coordinated with pedestrian crossings to improve accessibility to the parks for pedestrians and cyclists , opening up green spaces as never before . The footpaths frame the parks as well as two new urban squares created at St Peter ’ s and Richmond Place ; the former providing a new setting to the foreground of the Grade II * listed building . The network of new paths bisects the long blocks connecting east and west neighbourhoods , and a new dedicated cycle lane runs continuously through the parks . General traffic is relocated to Royal Parade alongside the existing avenue of mature elms while public transport and local access is directed along the west adjacent to the busy North Laines , with its many shops and cafés . A road cross-over at Richmond Place was completely removed and another at Marlborough Place significantly reduced .
View at VGN showing new path across park , and carriageway reduction to 2 lanes w new footway and mature Elms re-set into extended park lawns © Edward Bishop
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