TASH ARCHITECTS

HEAL – Reinventing the Garden City

The most significant recent “Letchworth garden city competition” was the Re-Imagining the Garden City competition held in 2018 by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and managed by RIBA Competitions. This international competition sought master planning concepts for a new 45-hectare residential development, representing the first expansion of the original garden city in decades. The goal was to create a modern, sustainable urban living space based on the founding principles of Ebenezer Howard’s original garden city movement. Our design was amongst 9 shortlisted in the semi finals

Garden cities were originally imagined as green, community-focused neighborhoods with affordable housing. Over time, some of those ideals have faded. HEAL re-examines the concept—identifying what worked, what failed, and strengthening the vision for a healthier future.

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Heal the Land

Tree-lined streets burst with fruit and flowers. Hedgerows are preserved, while meadows invite picnics and nature walks. Community farms replace large, unused lawns, creating active landscapes with rich ecological diversity.

Heal the Community

“Living streets” in front of homes are free of automobiles and safe for children to play.

• Buddy benches along pedestrian paths foster friendships across generations.
• Fruit trees reconnect residents with the simple pleasure of picking fresh produce.
• The community center hosts farmers’ markets, artisan bakeries, and cafés—chain outlets are intentionally excluded to support local commerce and traditional skills.

Heal the Young

Teens and young adults gain vibrant places to gather and create.

• Living streets encourage positive interaction and the sharing of traditions.
• The community center features an open-air stage for music and dance, plus walls for guided graffiti art.
• Studios for dance, painting, and music nurture creativity, while farms and tree-lined avenues invite youth to connect with nature.

Heal the Mind

Loneliness and isolation are countered by mixed housing types—homes for families, singles, and seniors on the same street.

• Sun-dappled avenues and large modern windows ensure abundant natural light.
• Cars are parked in peripheral garages, reducing visible wealth gaps and improving air quality.
• Cafés, open markets, concerts, and artisan events provide countless opportunities for social connection and mental well-being.

Heal the Body

Health is built into daily life.

• Residents walk or cycle to the common garages, turning natural exercise into routine.
• Automobiles remain at the edges; golf buggies serve seniors or heavy loads.
• Community farms and fruit trees supply fresh, nutritious snacks, replacing processed foods.

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HEAL transforms the garden city into a thriving, self-sustaining neighborhood where land, community, and individual well-being are all nurtured—delivering on the original promise of greener, more connected urban living.