Explore the less familiar side of Newcastle and discover the remnants of grand visions and unresolved spaces which characterise parts of the city.
Urban Translation is three alternative tours of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough. We started in Newcastle, by asking 'how have changing attitudes, grand visions and happy accidents helped shape this city and which places tell this story?' We went on to explore the urban design challenges faced by Sunderland and Middlesbrough and some of the ways in which planning, politics, economics and culture have influenced each place.
Devised for Design Event each year in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Northern Architecture and groups of architecture, design and creative professionals have worked together to come up with each tour. So, after lots of walking and talking, these routes and stories have emerged. This site now invites you to contribute to these conversations by using the tours to explore parts of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough that aren't found on the tourism maps or in the usual heritage or architecture trails, but which we think present challenging questions for today and promising opportunities for the future.
Tim Bailey, xsite architecture
Carol McGuigan, writer
Tony Wyatt, Associate Director space
Hugh Daglish, Urban Designer, formerly at Sunderland City Council
Ben Hall, Sunniside Partnership
Mike Lowe, Sunderland's Conservation Officer
Paul Summers, poet
Andy Croft, poet
Stephen Stokoe, Design Services, Middlesbrough Council
Rachel Cleminson, Urban Design Officer, Middlesbrough Council
Les Southerton, Chartered Town Planner and Economist
Tim Bailey, xsite architecture
Ian Stubbs, curator at the Dorman Museum