Welcome

Taking part in the Scotland Charrette series put Lochgelly firmly on the international stage.  It was one of only three schemes in Scotland to be part of the series, and the only one led by its local authority.

A form of intensive community engagement, the Charrette aimed to capture the vision, values and ideas of the community. Over a number of consecutive days, a series of workshops were held where the parties involved explored design options laying the foundations for the Lochgelly Strategic Land Allocation Masterplan.

The Charrette series was led by an internationally renowned design team providing access to a wide range of skills, experience, and expertise. Andres Duany, a principal of DPZ (based in Miami) is widely regarded as a visionary in community planning and urban design and DPZ have designed over 300 new and existing communities in the United States and overseas. For more information on the Charrette process click here, Lochgelly Pre-Charrette Paper. 

During Andres Duany’s opening presentation in the Town Hall, he pointed out that: “If we put the right elements in place, every change that happens will make things better. You have to take care of this place and set it up so it gets better over time”.

Where does the word Charrette come from?

Charrette is a French word meaning ‘little cart’, although it can also mean ‘working against the clock’. The name is from the 19th century French school of Beaux Arts, where architecture students would put their exam work in a cart at deadline time.

Students would often jump on the cart to put finishing touches to their presentations. The atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation. And that’s the atmosphere that the modern charrette tries to create. It’s a forum where the public, planning experts and project consultants Duany Plater-Zyberk (DPZ) all work together under one roof.