Sustainable Urban Design by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781317723677
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Postscript and Lessons for the Future

The Parkmount Development (now known as ‘Horizon Buildings’) has been a success on many levels. Apartment values have more than doubled from an original price of £65K–70K in 2003, in what is still considered a relatively undesirable area. However, this has to be set against the dramatic house-price rises generally seen in Belfast City over the past couple of years. The development is well liked and well looked after – the landscape is maturing, there is no sign of graffiti and even the communal bike stores are well used. The general perception among purchasers and occupiers is of spacious and well-lit interiors (an endorsement of the high daylight levels rather than the apartments’ sizes which are, in fact, quite small).

The variety of internal finishes and interpretations of the internal spaces at Parkmount are both unexpected and gratifying. Residents have adapted and furnished the spaces to suit their budgets and needs, accommodating home comforts, home-cinema and home-working, even the symbol of home – a fireplace (Figures 12.15, 12.16 and 12.17 show a selection of internal photographs from occupiers who were pleased to invite us into their personal spaces).9 The passive design measures would all seem to be contributing to a comfortable and efficient internal environment, and although the large-scale regeneration has yet to be realised, there have been publicly funded projects to improve the streetscape and environment on Shore Road.

The trial area of PV panels has been less successful. No additional funding was ever obtained for the PVs, in spite of the considerable

12.16 Sandra Eve.

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