about the implementation of the three sites is based on planning documents, London County Council and local council minutes, publicity material for the developments, contemporary photographs and present day site visits and observations. Some exhibition material and unpublished research by Simon Donaghue, Havering's archivist, is also drawn upon.
Design Although only one chapter of Howard's book focused directly on the design of a garden city, this was a key aspect of the plan to reform and resolve the problems of both town and country. Howard’s design suggested how core principles could be manifested in the physical planning of a settlement, creating an aesthetically pleasing, healthy environment, which promoted community and reflected the social reform he advocated. He emphasised that his design was not prescriptive but rather, whilst maintaining the underlying principles, the 'plan must depend on the site selected'. Figure 1.2 shows, however, that, Howard did prescribe figures for the area of land required to support the population which would in turn create a sustainable community. Figure.1.2 Howard's plan for a garden city. Howard’s model city was characterised by extensive public green space. As figure 1.3 shows, the city was designed as a series of interconnected but distinct sectors. Each was to house a community, with necessary facilities for the life of the residents. At the centre of the whole plan lay key civic buildings, such as the town hall, museums, art gallery and theatre, encircling central gardens. These were themselves surrounded by a Central Park, and around this was an arcade, and a 'Crystal Palace' housing shops and exhibitions. Moving outwards were residential areas with a Grand Avenue providing further open, public space and provision for sports fields, local churches and schools. Zones for industry were separated from residential areas and on the edge of the city lay agricultural land. Beyond these lay the more rural requirements of the city including allotments and farms.
In 1944 the area around Collier Row was deemed to be, '… a typical example of poorly laid out suburban expansion, with few redeeming features'. Rise Park, however, appears to have defied this stereotype, not only in terms of some design features but also in its expression of Howard's precepts of social reform and community cohesion. Some of the streets echo Unwin's ideas with their verges, islands and roadside greens. The centrality of the park, at the symbolic and physical centre of the planned estate, reflects Howard's (and England's) sense of the importance of the community. In contrast to Raphael Park the land donated appears to have been suitable for building on and appears to have been a genuinely philanthropic donation. Moreover, again in contrast to Raphael Park, stipulations, recommendations and actions ensured the community basis of the park's use in the future. England's stated rationale for such generosity lay in a desire to effect social reform (albeit on a modest level) by diverting potential anti-social behaviour and in creating safe spaces for children, thus defraying the cost to society at large. Thus, whilst there was no question of communal ownership of land, Rise Park went further than the adoption of stylistic features being consistent with some aspects of Howard’s vision of social reform to effect improvements in people's lives.