Making Better Places Through Heritage Designation?

In 1968 Newcastle City Council took the bold step of appointing Ralph Erskine, a remarkable appointment by the Conservative-controlled local authority, to be architect and planner for the rebirth of Byker. Erskine and the City Council shared a vision that all that was positive about Byker-specifically its strong social capital built from kith and kin networks-could be retained, while all that was poor-its worn out Victorian terraces and hard environment-could be transformed into a delightful place that supported its community.