Urban Translation

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The two most famous constructions associated with Newcastle - elegant Grey Street and the iconic Tyne Bridge – emerge from the self same wish: to leave behind the riverbank. Though the river is where the city started, the dawning Industrial Revolution meant both residents and traders sought to leave behind its muddy, insanitary origins and establish a literally loftier environment. So Grey Street was built over a tributary (Lort Burn) and Grainger Town began up the hill. Almost a 100 years later, the construction of the Tyne Bridge ended the need for vehicles to wend their zigzag way from the Quay and allowed them to cross the river on a road suspended above it.

This is a simplified problem-solution way of looking at the city's development and in some ways, contemporary Newcastle can be understood by examining the different demands particular forms of transport have placed on its layout. But, in addition to these functional practicalities there have also been, in Newcastle's recent history, moments of vision which changed its look indelibly - the 60's 'T Dan Smith' era and the Dobson Grainger partnership moment the two most radically far-reaching. But were these grand visions completed? Or were they thwarted, cut short? Are we therefore left with a coherent urban narrative or a fractured palimpsest? The Urban Translation Tour grew from these questions.

In addition to the route outlined, related locations are also highlighted as Comments and may be investigated in the walker's own time.

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