Prince Charles Opens The Prince's House At Ideal Home Show
Sat, March 12, 2011 
Letter from Prince Charles, on the opening of The Prince’s House
For many years, I have spoken about the importance of both sustainability and tradition, and the marriage of the two in cities, towns and villages in a way that reflects a fundamental harmony between human beings and Nature. I have tried to put some of these ideas into practice throughout the Duchy of Cornwall, whether at Poundbury, Newquay or elsewhere.
My Foundation for the Built Environment helps to create places built with an eye to versatility and enduring appeal, where people can walk from their house to the shop to the local school, and where design is rooted in local identity. That such important principles are fundamental to the design of neighbourhoods would seem self-evident, but professionals have not often agreed — at least not at first.
As our planet becomes overwhelmingly urban, and resources become scarcer, it will no longer be enough just to add gadgets on here and put bolt-ons there. We need to rethink the way we plan our homes, shops, schools and their relationship to one another. Such eco-engineering can learn from Nature, from traditional communities and from the best of contemporary technology.
