Session 3 - Spatial Mapping

Reviewing the core suggestions made in Session 1 we then encouraged participants to consider a timeline for their delivery, what should take priority and what particular type of change would it require e.g. governance, behaviour or technology.

Group 1

MACRO

• Solar powered vehicle charging south of M4 or at Junction 11.
• Business incubation space in UoR Science Park
• Sustainable energy or an Anaeorbic Digestion Plant at Green Park
• Marina or nature reserve on flood plains to west of A33.
• High level sustainable pedestrian and cycle route into Reading
• Support to development of independent retailers on Oxford Road
• Improved transport links along the Oxford Road
• Build to Rent development close to Prospect Park
• Flood/nature reserve/marina close to Festival site
• Compact housing and employment uses across central Reading
• Re-establishment of hidden rivers through Reading’s town centre
• Another road bridge across the River Thames
• Delivery of shared ownership housing in Caversham
• Development of ‘Winnersh Village’ given transportation links

MACRO

• Create a ‘tourist trap’ around the historical elements of Reading centre
• Deliver fun activities by the river in the parks
• A district energy network alongside the River Thames
• Independent market hall or Hub for start-ups with encouraging rents
• Entertainment quarter on civic centre/broad st mall/hexagon site with skate park, cafes and open space.
• Open air swimming pool powered by renewable energy close to the River Thames
• Improved pedestrian link to river and parks under railway.

Group 2

MACRO

• Rapid transit linking the north and south
• Rebalancing of north and south of town in terms of built environment
• Open town to the River Thames
• Build over the railway line in order to better link the north and south and connect to the river.
• High quality floating residential with green roofs alongside the river.

MICRO

• A Cathedral of people/Theatre of dreams building – The Reading Barbican
• Provide accommodation for the festival within the centre of town.
• Extend the commercial hub north of the station and to the River Thames
• Develop a leisure facility in walking distance of town centre/close to marina as a leisure hub
• Reduce the status of the IDR, especially where the commercial area crosses it
• Use IDR for Mass rapid transport.
• Overbridge the IDR to the west where possible
• Entrepreneurs could populate the west auction house site – studios and workshops, residential above.
• Green roofs on town centre development continue the wildlife corridors

Group 3

MACRO

• The second Oracle at Shinfield
• Build around Green Park to deliver a South Garden City
• Green park Hub
• Mass rapid transit linking north to south and east to west
• Family homes delivered on the current Cattle Market site
• A year round Festival Park
• High rise, high density in centre
• Tech city west focus area
• Earley Hub
• Winnersh Hub

Micro

• A Sky train
• Cathedral Quarter at Reading Minster
• Arena and public open space on the Civic Centre/Hexagon/St Mary’s Butts site
• Arts and cultural centre in same location
• New urban village by the water – Festival site
• Aqua zone by marina
• Play zone by river and parks
• Tech cells campus
• Interface with river and development in opportunity area to east of town centre
• Another floating village here too?