AlwaysBeBlue wrote:I also think that what Cardiff needs is a period of developing its urban grain and actually looking like a city rather than individual statement buildings that look nice in isolation but make for a disjointed streetscape. A 12 storey building is unlikley to get the groin tingling but in conjunction with everything else being built I think ultimately it will add to the city in a more positive way than a statement tower.
For a City that is irrelevant, we are not doing too bad. We have one of the biggest sporting events in the world coming up.
I also think tall buildings give an international feel. Cities that want to go places should punch above their weight, because these are the magnificent cities of the future.
Don't think small because of what you think you are... think big for what you may become[/quote]
And why do we have the Champions League final in Cardiff? Because the WRU thought big and made sure that they built a world-class stadium that the rest of the rugby and football world would come to envy.
That said, I think Cardiff needs a variety of development types because we need to attract a variety of businesses as we try to ourselves from the bottom of the UK's economic pit.
I also hold the view the buildings, especially modern ones, can be refurbished or replaced over time. It wouldn’t be a huge challenge to replace the cladding on Capital Quarter in say 15 years time to something more high-spec as Cardiff lifts its profile. Every vibrant city that I’ve worked in is continually evolving, with building and entire city zones changing hands, changing in use/application etc. These new developments are part of Cardiff’s journey in becoming a modern capital city. Regeneration is a constant process. Let's not forget, Marland House was the future once, now it's either landfill or crush aggregate for a highways scheme! St David's House is soon to follow.
The key is to provide as many reasons for people and businesses to come to Cardiff. Then the challenge is to ensure that standards and expectations are raised without pricing people away.