P6.5: Testing Scenarios

The options created through scenario building need to be tested against a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria.  In ‘Creating Successful Masterplans’, CABE suggest that there are five fundamental questions that the testing process should ask:

• Will it deliver the vision established for the place, based on its unique qualities?
• Does it set out proposals and principles that will create a place that will function well in terms of its urban design: streets, blocks, spaces, movement, landscape and infrastructure?
• Does it provide the basis to create great architecture, buildings and public spaces in terms of the design quality, set the standards to be achieved and provide the framework for testing proposals?
• Are the proposals viable in economic terms?
• Is the plan deliverable?

There are likely to be other questions specific to the site that should be posed and related back to the specific objectives that have been set for the project. These should be set out at the start of the process. There are often technical challenges, particularly relating to infrastructure that require workable and financially viable solutions to be agreed before the masterplan develops too far.  These solutions also need to be evaluated in urban design terms, for example will flood protection measures unacceptably undermine design principles such as legibility or form/massing?

National policy reinforces the importance of all stakeholders being involved in the options testing process, ‘front loading’ engagement so that all views can be aired and any conflicts or constraints discussed and solutions agreed.  Stakeholder engagement will build consensus where it can be reached and, where it cannot, will allow those with differing views to understand the other arguments and why a certain decision was made. At this stage the process should remain creative and open to fresh ideas, pushing ambition for the proposal as far as it can go while still remaining practicable. The option appraisal process should be presented in a clear and transparent form and be simple to understand, with any scores/weights fully explained. 

A clear and iterative relationship with Environmental Assessment should be maintained during scenario testing to ensure that any impacts are drawn into the design process, minimised and mitigated against as necessary.

The final test will be the viability and deliverability of the proposal. Can it be implemented? Has a realistic view been taken of the local market? If a development partner is not involved then local property professionals should be consulted, and potentially an independent evaluation undertaken to assess the nature of development that may be required to ensure viability. If the project is proven not to be financially viable but delivers against the vision and objectives, then the appropriateness and availability of other sources of project finance would need to be explored and quantified.

A final preferred option will emerge from the alternative scenarios drawing upon the most positive aspects, minimising negative impacts and ensuring that the final scheme is viable. This will in itself need to be tested against the same criteria.