Study ponders future of suburbs

Millions of people are migrating to suburban areas

Researchers are to investigate how England's suburbs will change over the next 20 years.

The results are likely to form the basis of future government guidelines for town planners.

It is hoped the study will mean an end to so-called suburban sprawl and a return to traditional high streets and town centres.

A Cambridge University team will focus on Tyne and Wear, London, Bristol and Cambridge in the £1.75m study.

A key aim of the research will be to reduce reliance on car travel in the suburbs, making it possible for many people to walk to work or local shops.

The researchers, led by Professor Marcial Echenique are already advising planners on proposed expansion schemes for Cambridge.

Team member Terence Bendixson, said: "Suburbs are the great unknown territory of England.

What we're trying to do is to create good living conditions without the urban sprawl Team member Terence Bendixson

"The vast majority of people live in the suburbs, but for the last 10 years all professional and political efforts have focused on city centres and urban renaissance and regeneration."

He said it was estimated that over the next 20 years, almost two million extra people would take up suburban living in England.

The "new" suburbs were likely to incorporate a much greater mixture of land use.

He added: "Rather than having conventional residential estates, jobs would be provided in offices, research labs and shops mixed into the community, together with schools and surgeries.

"Future suburbia, in a way, is going to be as near as we can get to the old fashioned town. There will be a purely defined centre, a high street, and all the things you'd expect in a high street.

"What we're trying to do is to create good living conditions without the urban sprawl."

The four year grant has been awarded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The team will use computer models to test different kinds of land use and travel, taking into account their impact on quality of life, cost of living and environmental damage.

The findings will be used to inform local planners and developers.