Does York need to go high rise? STEPHEN LEWIS talks to one of the engineers behind Europe’s tallest building

AT more than 1,000 feet, the Shard in London is Europe’s tallest building.

Next Tuesday, one of the engineers involved will be in York as part of the Festival of Ideas to talk about the place of high-rises in historic cities.

But don’t worry, Bill Price isn’t about to suggest building a new Shard next to the Minster.

“I’m an engineer!” says the director of London-based engineering and design consultancy WSP, which was responsible for the structural design of the Shard. “We design and build buildings. But it’s not for me to say whether there should be anything close to York Minster.”

However, he will be talking about the potential of high rise buildings to help meet the housing and office needs of increasingly crowded cities, even historic ones such as York.

But he’ll also be looking at the impact that high rise development can have.

Cities around the world are becoming denser and more crowded, he says. “People are more and more being attracted to live in cities, because that’s where the work is, where the jobs are.”

That migration to cities is driving the demand for more high rise.

It is not the only solution. You can increase housing density in other ways than simply by building high. If there were better public transport and fewer cars taking up precious room, for example, we could make better use of the space available to us.

But if we want to preserve green belt around our incresasingly dense cities, high rise is one way. That makes it all the more important that we understand the impact tall buildings can have – especially in a historic city like York.

Buildings like the Shard, Mr Price says, are built to last. The Shard could well be part of London’s skyline for centuries. And that puts a huge responsibility on the people who designed and built it. “So you need to properly consider what the impact will be.”

In London, there is a 300 page design which looks at every aspect of design and its impact – from the effect of a building on the city’s skyline, to its impact on close-up views.

It’s important to consider factors such as this – York Civic Trust did exactly that in its recent View Of York project.

Ultimately, however, the way to overcome the concerns of those worried about the impact of tall new buildings in historic cities is by focusing on quality Mr Price says.

A great building is a great building, whatever its age.

“I live in London. I see the Shard every day. I see the crowds, I see the rain, I see the sun glinting off it. It is a fabulous building. I’m very proud of it.”

Bill Price will talk about the place of high-rise in historic cities in the Sir Ron Cooke Hub at the University of York at 4.15pm on Tuesday as part of a series of events for Design For Living Day.

Design for Living Day events are free, but book tickets in advance.

There are a host of Festival of Ideas events taking place this weekend and early next week. Here are a few other highlights. For a full list of events, and to book, visit: yorkfestivalofideas.com/2013/

 

Today – Science out of the lab: St Sampson’s Square, 10am-3pm. Free

Cracking Animation: An audience with Peter Lord, of Wallace & Gromit creators Aardman Animations. Ron Cooke Hub, 2.15pm. Free.

 

Tomorrow – York Sunday Politics Show: Greg Dyke, Peter Hitchens and Steve Richards debate topical issues of the day. Berrick Saul Building, University of York, 10am-11.45am. Free

Richard III: History's man and Shakespeare’s villain. Historians Chris Skidmore and Mark Ormerod, actor Nick Armfield and film expert Judith Buchanan reveal more about Richard's relationship with York

Screening of The Dam Busters. York City Screen, 1pm. Tickets £7.50, concessions £6.50, members £5.50.