Letchworth: The World’s First Garden City

Consulting on the future of the park.

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Founded in 1903, Letchworth Garden City, was laid out to strict and revolutionary design principles. It inspired a number of other developments, including Welwyn Garden City, and remains relevant in urban design and planning over a century later.

We are involved with a number of schemes in Letchworth town centre which aim to restore and enhance original landscapes as well as create new designs that help support the town's economy, affected by competition from neighbouring retail centres. This long term involvement in a place exemplifies the strength and depth of the LDA Design team.

Our first project was Broadway Gardens, at the heart of the town. It was originally to be the site of a grand civic building and formal square but was never implemented. We created a green space that acknowledges the original plans while providing a central area large enough to accommodate events. We led the design team to deliver this project for the 2003 Letchworth Garden City Centenary Celebrations.

We have since been appointed to work with North Hertfordshire District Council on a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for Howard Park and Gardens. The park has lost land to car parking in recent years and has become cluttered and fragmented. Our proposals will reclaim space for the original purpose of the park and gardens; elegantly unify the park and rediscover Howard's original Garden City ideals of environmental quality and social energy.

We are also working for Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation on the regeneration of the main shopping streets of Leys Avenue and Eastcheap. The plan will link existing and new developments as well as sustaining the retail sector of the main streets. The design introduces sculpture, new pedestrian spaces, fountains and green areas to bring the original Garden City vision into the retail core.

Once complete, there will be a contiguous walk between each of these schemes and our continued involvement will create a cohesive sense of place and identity for the city, building on its raison d'être.