Tuesday 14 August 2012

Nostalgic and Narcissistic

The title is taken from Spiegel Online and prefaces an article entitled France's Obsession with the Past Hinders Reforms.

Replace the reference to France with Tunbridge Wells' Aspic Brigade and you have encapsulated the problem of town centre regeneration in Tunbridge Wells.

The Aspic Brigade is consumed by nostalgia and love for the mid 20th century, reflected in the desire to retain the civic complex.  The world has moved on but the Brigade wishes to retain buildings which are no longer fit for purpose.  Form should never be permitted to determine function: to do so condemns Tunbridge Wells to the second-rate.


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