Unit XI focused on Carmarthen in South-West Wales, examining the role of sustainable food networks and architecture in rural town regeneration. Carmarthen is one of the oldest towns in Wales and acts as a service centre and community focus for a large rural area.
Pre-pandemic, more people traveled annually to shop in Carmarthen than in Swansea, demonstrating the popularity of the town, arguably as a result of its scale and the available amenities. Proposals for regeneration needed to reflect this and provide a level of resilience, as well as address environmental and economic sustainability. There are already several important initiatives in Carmarthen which address these issues, and the unit explored these in detail.
Each thesis project explored a vision for community-led development in Carmarthen, and the building proposals developed over the year combined to form a network of dynamic plans for the future of the town.