Rogers attacks eco-towns as a big mistake

22 May, 2008

By Rory Olcayto

Richard Rogers has launched an extraordinary criticism of the government’s eco-towns project calling it one of the government’s “biggest mistakes”.

Speaking today at a conference on high density housing at London’s building Centre, the Pritzker-prize winning architect and Labour peer claimed eco-towns were inherently unsustainable, and cited a report by the US Green Council that showed that draughty accommodation in a dense urban centre is more efficient than that of an eco-home in a greenfield location.

“I think eco-towns are one of the biggest mistakes the government can make," he said. "They are in no way environmentally sustainable.

“The retention of the green belt is essential. We need to increase density around public transport. We need to invest much more in public transport.”

Rogers’ comments reflect the extent that prime minister Gordon Brown – who personally backs eco-towns - has departed from the principles espoused by Rogers’ Urban Task Force, an advisory body formed under his predecessor Tony Blair.

Last month BD revealed that Rogers had criticised the government for ignoring the Urban Task force’s Towards a Strong Urban Renaissance report produced over two years ago.

Other speakers at the event, chaired by HTA’s managing director Ben Derbyshire, included Pablo Lazo of Arup and Duncan Bowie, a former GLA planner.