By Sofia Smith Galer, published in Vice.
The construction of Poundbury is planned to be completed in 2025, and the project itself envisaged the creation of a so-called "city within a city". The Duchy of Cornwall, headed by Prince Charles, undertook its implementation more than 30 years ago. The main goal is to compactly plan urban spaces so that all necessary infrastructure facilities are within walking distance.
Prince Charles (the future King Charles III) with Chief Designer Leon Krier and Development Manager Andrew Hamilton in Poundbury, April 1999. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library / Getty Images
Despite negative feedback from critics who called Poundbury "feudal Disneyland", the current king did not deviate from his plan. Today, more than 4 residents live here, and about two hundred shops, cafes, offices and businesses operate here. However, the geography of the city raises many questions.
The statue of Elizabeth II in the center of the city is the only attraction of Poundbury. Photo: tripadvisor
The center of Poundbury is Elizabeth II Square, in the center of which is a monument to the queen. Instead of an active environment for walking, a parking lot has formed next to the main attraction of the city, and the roads wind in pentagons around the square. The residents of the city themselves prefer to travel by car.
"This walkable city was obviously inspired by the orbit of Venus, flowers and Islamic art," says journalist Sophia Smith Haler, who visited the city the day before.
There are no road markings in the city, which causes inconvenience for both pedestrians and drivers. Photo: Ruben Hanssen/Unsplash
According to residents of nearby settlements, to live in Poundbury you need to be a "special type" of person, and the large number of cars can be explained by the fact that most workers do not live in the city, but only come here for work. However, it does not quite fit into the concept of a "city within a city". By the way, there are about two thousand jobs in Poundbury.
The cost of housing there is estimated at about 700 pounds. In addition to the actual purchase, prospective residents must adhere to the rules outlined in the 52-page booklet. Among other things, there is information that chimneys should not be "too wide and bulky", and despite their not too high functionality, they should be on houses to comply with the rules of traditional British building.
Residential development in Poundbury is monotonous. Photo: FINNBARR WEBSTER / GETTY IMAGES
There are also clear restrictions for lawns: the use of artificial grass is practically taboo for city residents. In addition, it is forbidden to lay paths on top of lawns growing in front of houses.
Environmental technologies are not popular in Poundbury, because they also have requirements. Yes, solar panels cannot be installed in the city, as this "implies appearance changes and potential inconvenience for other residents."
During construction and living in private houses, it is not possible to use solar panels and install artificial grass lawns. Photo: View Pictures / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
In general, the construction of this settlement is not marked by anything special and is only an embodiment of the architectural traditions of Britain. The buildings are characterized by a small floor space, they are all made of brick and have a uniform design, regardless of whether it is a private house or an object of joint ownership.
A third of the city's population consists of elderly people. Restaurants and shops are for the middle class. Photo: poundbury.co.uk
For danimi census, as of 2020 over a third of Poundbury's population is aged 65 and over. In local publications, the vast majority of advertisements are for therapist services, hearing aid centers and exercise classes for people 50+. Among other things, there is an announcement about the sale of housing, the construction of which is promised to be completed by 2025. But this is no longer the concern of King Charles III, because his son Prince William has now inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, and with it Poundbury.
@viceworldnews When he was still a prince, King Charles III helped to create Poundbury, an experimental planned community, in southern England. What does it tell us about the kind of world that he wants people to live in? 👀 @sophiasmithgaler #kingcharles #monarchy #royals #queen #queenelizabeth #poundbury ♬ original sound – VICE World News
According to the Vice journalist, Poundbury could be a good location suburb in the movie "Edward Scissorhands", if the filming took place in Great Britain.
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