ABSTRACT
Located in Newcastle, this residential development is actually called Byker, although the development has become known by the distinctive perimeter block, which came to be called ‘Byker Wall’. It is an internationally renowned development because of its design by architect Ralph Erskine and because of the consultation process that evolved in the design and allocation of the units. It has a longer history than the other case studies and is not strictly a flagship development. This is because it predates the flagship development in Britain. Its purpose was to redevelop a ‘community’ in a sensitive way rather than draw in other investment or consumption activities. It was not located in an area of dereliction, although Byker had a large amount of poor quality building stock. Nor is it located in the centre of the city, although a large proportion of the residents worked in the now defunct docks in the valley it overlooks.
