Welwyn Garden City

Herts. UK

The world’s second Garden City was founded by Ebenezer Howard in 1920 and designed by Louis De Soissons. It was subsequently designated as a New Town under the 1946 New Towns Act.

1919- Land purchased
1920- Second Garden City Ltd founded
1948- Designated a New Town

Original master planner and any other critical master planning, design and architects:

Second Garden City Ltd’s Architect and Planner was Louis De Soissons.
Its Finance Director was C. B. Purdom, and its Secretary was Frederic Osborn.

Architectural Style/qualities:

Neo-Georgian town centre. Mix of residential styles..

Settlement Size:

Aproximately 3,460 acres (1400 hectares acres)

Population: 46,619 (2011 Census)

Other notable features that reflect Garden City Principles:

Separate factory sites, like Letchworth
Cultural activities important for community development – Festival hall built.
Mixed-tenure homes and housing types that are affordable for ordinary people;a strong local jobs offer in the Garden City itself, with a variety of employment opportunities within easy commuting distance of homes
Strong local cultural, recreational and shopping facilities in walkable neighbourhood
Integrated and accessible transport systems – with a series of settlements linked by rapid transport providing a full range of employment opportunities
Beautifully and imaginatively designed homes with gardens, combining the very best of town and country living to create healthy homes in vibrant communities

Find out more:

Welwyn Hatfield District Council
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Offices
The Campus,
Welwyn Garden City,
Hertfordshire,
AL8 6AE
http://www.welhat.gov.uk/contact
01707 357000

Or:
Welwyn Garden Heritage Trust
c/o 60 Bridge Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6UR
http://www.welwyngarden-heritage.org/contact-us-menu

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