A critical eye - age and weather

Weather

Those parts of the town frequented by the bulk of pedestrian and vehicular traffic tend to experience the effects of weathering. Their materials are durable for a time, but weaken and decay due to robust and relentless use. The processes of weathering are both human and atmospheric. Frequency of use, lack of or poor quality maintenance, sometimes abusive or destructive action such as vandalism - these are all causes of rapid degradation of the material fabric of the commercial town. But this is what gives towns their lived-in feel, and it adds to their character. A polished urban streetscape does not invite the eye, nor does it accommodate civic life. We make our towns and cities ourselves by living in them.

Age

The quieter parts of the town age slowly. Their materials are heavy-duty; masonry and ironmongery are widely used. Infrequent, careful use preserves these materials, so that only the elements of wind and rain are responsible for the weathering of buildings here. This weathering process operates at a slow pace. There is lesser evidence of human activity contributing to physical decay here.