This is often done in a superficial manner, with no real understanding of the principles that created the original building. This is a two dimensional view of context that ignores the historical process of dynamic change that has created the existing urban environment, fails to analyse the three dimensional form of the urban environment, and which assumes that historic and other areas will be improved by imposing a bland uniformity of style. These attitudes may be shown to be fundamentally mistaken by considering the Town Centre of Burslem. The existing townscape is primarily the result of more than two and a half centuries of development and change. The character is based on diversity of style resulting from changes over time of culture, fashion, construction, etc.
Dynamic contrasts exist, especially between major buildings.
For example, the monumental Baroque Classicism of the old Town Hall contrasts strongly with surrounding buildings, as does the Venetian Gothic Wedgwood Memorial Institute with its striking ornamentation and polychromatic detailing. The character of Burslem is also based on a recognisable urban grain created by dense, rear of the pavement development, providing strong enclosure and definition to the streets and urban spaces. A study of the urban morphology of the Town identifies that this character was established a few centuries ago. To copy older styles in new development in areas such as Burslem breaks the process of changing fashions and development that created its character and thus represents a break with continuity. Respecting the established urban grain and creating modern, site specific design solutions genuinely reacts to context and represents continuity with the best practice from the past.