Our three Old Town New Town events introduced us to many aspects of New Town development from urban planning, housing, parks and green infrastructure to wellbeing, community and public arts and culture. They were led by Sabine Coady Schäbitz and Bob Colenutt from the New Town Heritage Research Network.
Previous Events
The British New Town Story Thu 16 Sep at Delapré Abbey, Northampton
Memories of Corby: New Town Weds 24 November at Rooftop Gallery, Corby
Northampton: New Town Legacy Fri 17 December at Northampton Museum as part of 60 Miles: The Finale
Photography by Maksim Podorozkin and Andy Routledge
The New Town Heritage Research Network
The event will be led by Sabine Coady Schäbitz and Bob Colenutt from the New Town Heritage Research Network, which provides an ongoing opportunity to get involved and contribute to the continuing sustainability of the New Towns.
Sabine Coady Schäbitz is Associate Professor for Architecture at Coventry University. Sabine co-led the AHRC New Towns Heritage Research Network project. Her career spans many years in the UK and Germany, as architectural and urban design educator, researcher and practioner. Sabine studied architecture, art history and architectural conservation in Germany and Italy. Her professional engagement and research focus is on cultural heritage, architectural and urban history, with a particular interest in the public understanding of built environment heritage. Sabine is also a long-time resident of Northampton and Trustee at Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust.
Bob Colenutt has a background in urban planning and regeneration working for community groups and in local government and has also taught at Universities. He also had a short spell as a local government councillor. He worked in London at the GLC, LB Newham, LB Barking and Dagenham and LB Haringey, and was also involved as a researcher and community organiser in housing campaigns in the South Bank and in Docklands. In 2004, he became Head of Environmental and Planning services at Northamptonshire County Council, and later worked for the Institute for Urban Affairs at the University of Northampton. He is a founding member of the New Towns Heritage Research Network and is co-editor of ‘Lessons from the British and French New Towns’ published in 2021. He is currently an Assistant Lecturer in planning and housing policy at Oxford Brookes University.
Looking Back: The shaping of Northampton New Town
In 1965, it was announced by Harold Wilson’s Labour Government that Northampton was to be one the new towns offering housing to people living in poor conditions in English cities.
Fifty years since a plan that transformed Northampton
On February 3 1965, Minister for Housing Richard Crossman announced that Northampton was to be one of a number of new towns offering housing to people living in poor conditions in London.
‘Mark 3’ New Town – Designated 14 Feb 1968
Historically a market town, Northampton was designated as a New Town to accommodate London overspill and provide for regional growth.
‘Mark 1’ New Town – Designated 1 April 1950
Increased demand for iron and steel in the late 1940s led to the expansion of steelworks at Corby as a ‘matter of national importance’.
Garden Cities and New Towns
The TCPA New Towns Network brings together local authorities where the UK’s 32 New Towns are located to share experience through peer to peer learning and other activities.
History of Corby
Early settlement in Corby dates back to the 8th century when a group of Danish invaders, with their leader, Kori, settled there. It thus became known as ‘Kori’s by’ – Kori’s settlement.
How the town of Corby dusted off the ashes of post-industrial decay
Northamptonshire town, one of UK’s fastest growing, is twinned with a Chinese megacity – and is doing its best to catch up.
