LIMITS TO GROWTH??? “Building height restrictions will have been dramatically scaled back, so the great medieval core will be surrounded near the 2015 city boundaries by apartment blocks of 10 storeys or more to satisfy demand……. Shortage of water will be a major constraint on growth and behaviour….” (Jeremy Sanders, University of Cambridge)

A WAKE-UP CALL? “danger comes with success. As many other cities around the world recognise the unique advantages of Cambridge (our knowledge/area density is around 100 times more concentrated than Silicon Valley) and seek to emulate them. Simultaneously, we must contend with local initiatives that, through lack of understanding these unique advantages, may kill the golden egg-laying goose.. (Alan Blackwell, Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge)

MANAGING GROWTH - THE KEY CHALLENGE? The key challenge facing the city, its business community, its strategic planning bodies, and its population: “Managing and maintaining Cambridge’s future high-tech, knowledge based growth, whilst protecting its historic character – a major attraction to 4 million tourist visitors each year” (“State of the Cities: The Competitive Economic Performance of English Cities”, ODPM 2006, para 4.3.3) HOW TO AVOID KILLING THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS??

GROWTH FROM 2006 – PROBLEMATIC? 2006 Local Plan: Change from containment, to growth on edge of city Focus on growth areas Implementation delay due to 2008 crash Full impacts not yet apparent Unresolved pressures and problems: Traffic Affordable housing etc etc

PHYSICAL CHARACTER AND ISSUES Low city with historic landmark buildings Exceptional historic buildings Relatively mean C19 housing Mature planted landscape Tree-lined approaches from S, W, NW Historic Traffic Problems Market town streets, but city traffic Inundated by visitors Street capacity issues Densification / redevelopment Major growth Future growth-related capacity issues Climate change …………ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY?????