Useful Projects’ Post

Our For People, City and Planet, mixed use masterplan Hartree in Northeast Cambridge has made The Pineapple Awards shortlist in the ‘Future Place’ category, with The Developer and Festival of Place Working together with LandsecU+I and TOWN. with Cambridge City Council and Anglian Water Services we have developed a new, much-needed type of responsive 5-minute place with good streets and quality public realm - open to everyone - connected and rooted in Cambridge. There are so many takeaways from this project, and it’s been such a pleasure to support this ‘real’ and highly progressive vision. What has made it special was the dedication to the Quality of Life Framework alongside a long-term public engagement; working hard to reach out to existing communities in all sorts of innovative ways; festivals, ideas exchange and workshops. By taking a granular approach, including a vivid mix of different types of homes (40% affordable, cohousing and more), tenures and plots, where active ground floors contain a blend of commercial as well as community amenities including culture and workshops; we have shaped a masterplan for an active town environment, a supportive place and neighbourhood, long-term regenerative and one day there to enjoy. With a focus on health and wellbeing, the wild, biodiverse, green-blue landscape designed by LOLA Landscape Architects integrates Hartree within nature and the adjacent Fens. The promise is to meet 20% BNG, partly through the Playline and other key green spaces and networks that enable children and the greater community to move freely, safely and pleasantly to school, work, Cambridge North Station, and beyond. Thank you to the whole client team, Cambridge Shared Planning Service, councillors and the general public, for willingness to engage in such a constructive and open manner. And of course, the fantastic team of specialists including Useful Projects, Pell Frischmann Bell Phillips, Carter Jonas, Haworth Tompkins and ECF. With special mention to 5th Studio, Feilden Fowles, NOOMA Studio and Alison Brooks Architects Winners will be announced at the Festival of Place in London, April 2025.