Urban Design Group Study Tours: Bordeaux & other Baroque Cities

12-20 May and 17-20 May 2012

Bordeaux became prosperous as France’s premier port, and created spectacular urban set pieces along the Garonne river frontage during the 18^thcentury.  More recently the city has regenerated many quarters and renewed its public realm, including the provision of three new tram lines.  The ‘short tour’, from May 17^th-20^th, will be led by Sebastian Loew, and will include a talk by city planners and a visit to Le Corbusier’s seminal Pessac housing development from the 1950s.  The price of £440 (£400 for UDG members) includes rail travel to and from London and three nights’ hotel accommodation.

You may if you wish combine this with a longer tour, led by Alan Stones, from Saturday May 12^thto Sunday May 20^thwhich includes visits to other important Baroque cities such as Nancy, Karlsruhe and Mannheim.  All these cities have geometrical layouts focused on the ruler’s palace and have gone on more recently to upgrade their public realm and link city to suburbs with modern tram systems.  We shall be talking to planners about their urban design policies and plans.  We shall also be taking a look at the contemporary Paris classical set-pieces, such as the Place des Vosges, Palais Royal, Place Vendôme and Axe des Tuileries. The price of £880 (£840 for UDG members) includes rail travel, participation in the Bordeaux visit and eight nights’ accommodation.

 Further information is available from Alan Stones, Fullerthorne, Church Street, Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9AH, phone 01376 571351, or email a.stones907@btinternet.com  (Please note the new email address).

 The last booking date is Friday 10  February 2012.