The idea
The Oxford Mini Holland campaign aims to achieve a step-change in liveability in East Oxford. The focal point is the Florence Park estate, but the design benefits people across East Oxford who use the Florence Park area as a transit or destination every day.
Spacehive funds will pay for a costed proposal for a low-traffic area and placemaking in the Florence Park estate, serving as a nexus of walking and cycling routes connecting residents and amenities across a much wider catchment of East Oxford.
Funds will also help pay for Oxford Mini Holland Weekend. This kicks off with workshops co-sponsored by Co-CAFE.org at Brookes (Sept 7), a family-friendly drop-in afternoon at flosoxford.org.uk (Sept 8) and a Mini Holland Night at the Florence Park Community Centre (Sept 9). The events will premiere the liveable-neighbourhood costsings and the Oxford Mini Holland video.
Oxford Mini Holland is a stepping-stone to a more liveable, people-first Oxford.
What we'll deliver
- Costed design options for low-traffic neighbourhood in 1-sq-km Flo Park estate
- Video to promote Mini Holland in East Oxford
- Three events to mark the Oxford Mini Holland Weekend
Why it's a great idea
We have gathered interest and support from a wide area for this project. Many have stepped forward with pro-bono offerings of expertise and talents. The zeitgeist is with us. We must heed the many imperatives of building liveability into our surroundings: climate change, air poisoning, inactivity, social isolation and more.
The inspiration for this project is the group of low-traffic neighbourhoods designed into the streetscape of Waltham Forest, London. These started life as a "Mini Holland", a reference to the liveability designed into most Dutch towns and cities.
This project is a stepping stone on the path to a more liveable Oxford. Realisation will require public enthusiasm and public demand. And these begin with awareness.
Steps to get it done
- Video footage recorded
- Video editing first cut
- LTN design commissioned
- LTN designer site visit
- LTN design input meeting
For details on low-traffic neighbourhoods and the Waltham Forest experience, please see:
"Mini-Holland puts people first, says Clyde Loakes"
https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/61522/mini-holland-puts-people-first-says-clyde-loakes
"Mini Holland schemes have proved their worth in outer-London boroughs" (Guardian). https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2018/jun/26/mini-holland-schemes-have-proved-their-worth-in-outer-london-boroughs
London Borough of Waltham Forest official site for the mini-Holland programme ("Enjoy Waltham Forest") https://www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/
