DOI: 10.5284/1037856
title: Aspects of Suburban Landscapes: Inherited Landscapes & Suburban Greens 1850-2015

description: The English suburb has strong claims to international significance. Home to the majority of the population, suburbs are also subject to continuous adaptation and redevelopment pressures. Many suburban environments are important, undervalued, threatened and neglected. The existing literature on suburbs is substantial and spans a range of disciplines, yet overarching analyses that embrace both buildings and landscapes in an integrated manner are rare. To provide the context and understanding needed for better appreciation, protection and management of suburbs, Historic England has initiated the 'National Suburbs Project', a research project on suburbs and suburban development from c.1850 to the present day. The project has been funded through the English Heritage National Heritage Protection Programme (NHPP), Activity 4A1 'Historic Towns and Suburbs'. This became the Historic England Historic England Action Plan (HEAP) in 2015 after organisational restructuring. National in scope and holistic in approach, the 'National Suburbs Project' is led by theme, drawing on examples across the range of suburban types. Its main output is intended to be a major publication aimed at a broad readership but with a target audience of professionals and academics. Defining, characterising and understanding suburban landscapes are a key aspect of the project. The 'Aspects of Suburban Landscapes' project is one component of this wider endeavour. This piece of work is intended to produce an enhanced understanding of two components of suburban landscapes from circa 1850 to the present day, contributing to the broader analysis of suburbs and suburban development being undertaken by the national project. The first subject area is Inherited Suburban Landscapes, that, is the way in which earlier landscapes features (present within the landscape before the planning and construction of a suburb) have shaped or been incorporated into the subsequent suburban development. The second is the creation of new Suburban Greens, open spaces inspired by historic village greens intended for recreational or common use planned as part of a residential estate, neighbourhood or suburb. The primary objectives have been to: " Identify principal primary and secondary sources, and include a bibliography on the subject areas in the report. This includes studies of suburban landscapes and of the architects, planners, landscape architects etc. involved in their creation. " From these sources and historical records, such as the specialist press, central or local government planning guidelines, estate development plans, estate records, contemporary accounts etc., develop an understanding of the theory and practice of retained suburban landscapes and new suburban greens. " Address key research questions in respect of each subject area (outlined within the respective sections' introductions) by gathering knowledge and information, and undertaking research and fieldwork on a representative range of suburbs that contain inherited landscapes and new suburban greens. " Produce a clearly-written and well-illustrated report containing a synthesis of existing knowledge and providing an enhanced understanding of the two subjects, informed by case studies. These case studies should reflect a geographical spread and social range of suburban types. The report is divided into two sections which address each of the subject areas. A bibliography of sources on suburban development, conservation, and management is also provided.