This Public Realm Strategy has been prepared to establish a locally distinctive framework to guide future regeneration proposals in Ryde.

It has two specific purposes:

* The first is to provide a public realm template against which specific enhancements in the town can be designed and assessed.

* The second is to provide a wider context for the delivery of the Ryde Townscape Heritage Initiative which is jointly being pursued by English Heritage, The Ryde Development Trust and the Isle of Wight Council.

Ryde is one of the main gateways to the Isle of Wight and its largest town. Considerable development in the 19th Century created a town with strong retail, economic, social and tourism functions and a rich wealth of townscape quality. But changes in the patterns of tourism and a gradual economic decline in the town since the 1960s have led to a loss of economic prosperity. This has had an impact on the quality of building maintenance, the loss of traditional urban features and the longer-term vitality of the town as a whole.

In recognition of the problems faced by the Island, since 1994 the Isle of Wight has won significant regeneration funding from national and European programmes including successive Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) rounds. In 2000 the Isle of Wight Partnership and Ryde Development Trust were awarded £6.25m of SRB 6 funding via the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to implement Ryde 2000 - a range of regeneration initiatives within the themes of learning and employment, social inclusion, physical regeneration and business development.

This public realm strategy is a key initiative within Ryde 2000 and has been developed to ensure that the SRB funding is used to deliver sustainable and appropriate public realm solutions in Ryde, underpinned by quality of design, local distinctiveness and respect for historic character. Good design can help to create successful places where people will choose to live, work, invest and take their leisure. It can reinforce planning goals, making urban areas such as Ryde more sustainable by encouraging the careful use of resources, creating a quality environment, attracting business and investment and reinforcing civic pride and sense of place.

It is also important to consider cause and effect throughout the town and across all aspects of infrastructure, development and social and economic provision. Conversely, piecemeal and uncoordinated initiatives can damage the character and integrity of a town.

In conjunction with the Public Realm Strategy, a series of complementary initiatives to complete the process are also in hand:

* Transport and Parking Strategy
* Land and Property Study
* Open Space, Recreation and Play Study
* Retail Study

This strategy is divided into two sections.

1. The Public Realm Framework

This section of the Strategy sets out the design framework for Ryde, based on its special aesthetic, economic and social characteristics. The Public Realm Strategy provides the strategic vision necessary to strengthen image and legibility and sets out key projects and priorities. Proposed phasing of the strategy is included both for projects to be implemented in the immediate future and for others planned for the longer term. The phasing has been planned with the aim of ensuring that maximum benefit is enjoyed by all stakeholders as the vision is gradually achieved across Ryde.

2. How the Strategy Will Work

The application of the strategy is shown by specific demonstration projects for particular areas within Ryde’s town centre.

The agenda for the public realm in Ryde:

* The public realm should be designed to meet the needs of Ryde as a centre of retail, social and economic activity on the Island.

* The public realm should reflect and respect the existing high quality architectural and townscape settings. Low quality treatments which do not respect these characteristics will not be encouraged.

* Quality should not be compromised for short-term improvements.

* A consistent and unifying response to the public realm is important for its longer-term appeal and development Where appropriate, more specialist approaches will be specified and encouraged.

* The setting of Ryde’s architectural and townscape should be safeguarded and enhanced by removing clutter from streets and urban places, and by ensuring that any new elements of street furniture are of a high quality.

* The public realm should be designed with the need to reflect the strong historic and continuing relationship between Ryde and the Solent.

The Public Realm Strategy should introduce detailed guidance for the future development of the Esplanade area as a Tourism Development Area as identified in the UDP. In doing so, appropriate opportunities should be taken to:

* introduce life and vitality into the public realm

* ensure that there is safe and adequate public pedestrian activity

* ensure that visitors are adequately catered for in terms of activities, attractions and facilities and are encouraged to explore and use the full area

* ensure that the materials and landscaping used are appropriate to the maritime environment.

The Public Realm Strategy should work towards the development of an attractive, lively and diverse town centre. Appropriate opportunities should be taken to:

* ensure full pedestrian access into all parts of the centre;

* enable the development of specific quarters;

* encourage the development of an attractive environment which will encourage investment;

* allow easy access between car parks and destinations.

The gateways into the town should be respected and enhanced.