In 1900, you could redevelop a suburban neighbourhood into dense mid-rise almost anywhere in the world. Today, you can do it almost nowhere. I call this phenomenon the ‘Great Downzoning’.

How did this happen? My latest article in Works in Progress:
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-gr...

Northdown Road, Islington, 2008 to 2019.

This famous office building in Hamburg has 2800 exactly similar windows, the sole variation being the arching on the top floor. A reminder that reproducible elements are not necessarily boring, provided they are nested in an intelligent design.

Until 1853, Berlin had a system of 'reverse zoning' intended to foster urbanistic grandeur. It ordained a *minimum* height of three storeys in central areas, while lower buildings were reluctantly tolerated in the suburbs.

Potsdam. 2.5-3.5 storeys, stone paving, no setbacks, continuous build line, cars as guests. Vernacular 'baroque', pastels, stucco, tall casements. The parking spaces have been repurposed for seating and planting, creating an 'urban garden' despite the absence of front gardens.

'Adaptive reuse' at Arlington Cathedral in Virginia. The community wanted to change the style of their church building, but they chose to retain the structural frame and merely re-dress it with new facing materials and details, saving its embodied carbon.

💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress

Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.

It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇

britishprogress.org/articles/red...