DB3 Urban Design

DB3 Urban Design

DB3’s work in urban design (masterplanning) is diverse and we are experienced in a wide range of types of development, from residential led masterplanning schemes to long-term property strategies, phased commercial site development, retail and leisure facilities as well as wider urban development plans. We pride ourselves in:

  • Designing healthy places to live, play and work
  • Our strong focus on sustainability
  • Inclusive design that remove barriers.

Our key goals in all masterplanning are to exceed expectations, create places to be enjoyed by everybody and tackle the wider issues of climate change.

Projects have been designed and implemented for a variety of clients and sectors and include regeneration of existing sites or new developments, to produce effective plans that meet the needs for today and the future.

Making Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play

Making Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play

At the heart of DB3’s overall approach to designing sustainable and healthy developments across all sectors is to make healthy places to live, work and play. We recognise the work we do influences people’s interactions in these places, as well as the wider environment and every aspect of our lives.

The benefits of providing welcoming neighbourhoods and new developments promote a sense of place and pride, contributing towards wellbeing and high quality places.

The DB3 approach in Designing Healthy Places

The DB3 approach in Designing Healthy Places

Our masterplanning solutions and designs meet all the following criteria whilst providing realistic and deliverable solutions:

  • Prioritise walking and cycling over cars, to encourage healthy lifestyles and cleaner air
  • Sustainability design from strategic level to individual buildings
  • Integrate landscaping and connections to nature into the overall masterplan as a primary design approach
  • Ensure our layouts promote natural surveillance and safe environments
  • Reduce exposure to pollutants including air borne, water and noise
  • Extensive consultation with partners, stakeholders and the local community
  • Aim to create or contribute to vibrant and strong communities
  • Create an enhanced public realm and connectivity, establishing new links between places and access to public open spaces
  • Promote sustainable development and all forms of public transportation and wider environmental improvements.

All of these contribute to mental and physical wellbeing and can promote increased productivity in commercial projects.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive Design

We are aware of our role in and the importance of designing places that meet the needs of all individuals and groups of people that use them.

Our approach is to develop inclusive designs that aim to remove the barriers that create undue effort and separation. Our designs enable everyone to participate equally, confidently and independently in everyday activities.

At DB3 we strive to achieve truly sustainable developments by integrating and considering all the requirements of today’s society and recognising the need for change in the future.  Places need to be designed so they can adapt to the changing needs of all our citizens and be convenient and enjoyable to everyone.

DB3 Approach to Sustainability

DB3 Approach to Sustainability

We promote site-wide approaches to sustainable surface water drainage (SUDS), landscaping and biodiversity.  Sustainability is embedded in our whole approach and integrates water management systems and pollution mitigation techniques through imaginative sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), to help tackle the risks of flooding on a site and the wider environs.  Maintenance and ongoing associated costs are of obvious importance and all strategic masterplans take these into consideration at an early stage.

A key aim of our urban designs is enhancing and protecting bio-diversity on and around a site, by improving the range of habitats within new developments. This is fundamental and benefits inhabitants and the wider ecosystem.

The development of site wide energy strategies with the design team is critical from the start, and the allocation of sufficient space and how it integrates with the landscaping and buildings within the design.

Sustainability also includes creating sustainable communities.  Children’s play areas are important in achieving this, and are always carefully considered at early stages, as these are key to the life of new places and the integration of existing neighbourhoods with new developments.

DB3 Approach to Sustainability

DB3 Approach to Sustainability

We promote site-wide approaches to sustainable surface water drainage (SUDS), landscaping and biodiversity.  Sustainability is embedded in our whole approach and integrates water management systems and pollution mitigation techniques through imaginative sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), to help tackle the risks of flooding on a site and the wider environs.  Maintenance and ongoing associated costs are of obvious importance and all strategic masterplans take these into consideration at an early stage.

A key aim of our urban designs is enhancing and protecting bio-diversity on and around a site, by improving the range of habitats within new developments. This is fundamental and benefits inhabitants and the wider ecosystem.

The development of site wide energy strategies with the design team is critical from the start, and the allocation of sufficient space and how it integrates with the landscaping and buildings within the design.

Sustainability also includes creating sustainable communities.  Children’s play areas are important in achieving this, and are always carefully considered at early stages, as these are key to the life of new places and the integration of existing neighbourhoods with new developments.

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