Our proposal for the Heath Park masterplan in Runcorn is based on the principles of biophilic design and the community ideals of the Garden City movement. To establish a sustainable community, a relatively high density of development is needed, providing a mixture of local residential, commercial and community spaces to enhance neighbourhood walkability and social connectivity. This is coupled with direct access to nature and at all points.

Instead of traditional zoning for different building uses, residential, commercial and community spaces are integrated into neighbourhoods reflecting the digital revolution and the breakdown of work-life boundaries. Local shops, cafes, businesses and social facilities are supplemented by community facilities such as sharing libraries/learning hubs (books, tools, toys, etc) with local recycling. Traditional workplaces will be supplemented by home offices and a variety of shared workspaces and meeting spaces, indoors and outdoors.

A central green linear park with a canal forms the backbone of the community and contains a mix of different activity spaces to encourage use by all, with community uses scattered along its edges. This is supported by the network of green local streets and public shared spaces throughout the neighbourhoods. Buildings incorporate roof gardens, biodiverse roofs, planted balconies and green walls.

Residents, workers and visitors are therefore close to nature, whether outside in the greened urban landscape or inside surrounded with natural materials and views of greenery, sounds of birdsong or running water and scents of flowers. Shared planted streetscapes and squares provide air pollutant filtering, transpiration and shading for combatting urban heat island effect, planted bioswales and SUDS for rainwater control and reuse, but crucially also encourage walking, idling and socialising.