From the London Island to the East End Gateway DESIGN FRAMEWORK
BPLN0042 Urban Design: Place Making, Part 3 Group I1 Anjali Maniar, Mike Park, Yuran Jin, Zhi Yang
2021.12
Excutive Summary Lying on the Lower Lea Valley, to the south of London’s Stratford and northwest of the Royal Docks, the London Island displays the juxtaposition of the hustle-bustle of London’s central districts. One of the fast-emerging boroughs of London; however, the London Island remains in an interlude between a change in time from industrial to contemporary age. It is a complex assemblage of riverside route, industrial warehouses and logistics, gasholders, a few residential communities, and the community-led organisation, Cody Dock. Despite the strategic location of the area today, it indicates urban fragmentations, with disconnected neighbourhoods and underused spaces, thereby lacking a clear sense of how this area can be perceived. Thanks to Cody Dock and artistic and creative movements along Cody Road, a strong sense of community can be felt surprisingly there, apart from bland industrial warehouses and logistics which are covering a large portion of the land. The area has been exposed to the catalyst of the Stratford regeneration project and state-of-the-art redevelopment of the Royal Docks, as well as the construction of Crossrail line. Nevertheless, on-going development projects have not led London Island to improvement in the quality of spaces and to creating better strategic connections with the surrounding areas. Now, a combination of planned small- and large-scale developments presents an opportunity to transform the area into a dynamic, revitalised part of London. To materialise this, a set of clear vision and deliberate strategies are needed. This urban design framework proposes a vision for “East End Gateway” to the study site over the next 30 years and develops urban design strategies from multiple perspectives based on the analysis of its complex contexts. • • • • • • • •
Breaking physical permanent barriers through enhancing existing access points and opening new, multi-functional entrances from the West, North, and East. Improving land-use connections by introducing residential-based districts between Cody Dock and neighbourhoods to the East. Maintaining and improving the local employment basis of the site. Ensuring sustainable growth and mitigating uncertainties by introducing cultural, creative, and digital industries. Enhancing green and blue infrastructure networks. Maximising historical and cultural values of heritages within the site in relation to the gasholders. Amplifying community cultures of Cody Dock, maximising and highlighting local (social) value. Delivering high-quality mixed communities by introducing modern middle/highrise residential buildings.
Proposed new development will generate numerous economic, commercial, cultural and creative activities and employment opportunities, as well as creating a hub for social interactions between existing and new communities. This document provides an exhaustive overview of the framework and strategies, describing how its proposals blend in together to metamorphose the London Island.
Page of Contents Introduction The London Island Development Timeline Local Contexts
Planning for Connectivity: transport infrastructure strategies Overview Reshaping the Network Vehicular Movement Public Transport Sustainable Transport
Site Analysis Planning for Sustainable Future: green and blue infrastructure strategies
Vision: The East End Gateway Conceptual Design Design Strategies Planning for Transformation: urban & building strategies Overview Character District Development Building Use Form, Height and Massing Building Height Material and Style Open Space Heritage
Overview Introduction Key Objectives Design Proposal Character Areas Natural Green Infrastructure Semi-natural Green Infrastructure Artificial Green Infrastructure
Conclusion Reference
Introduction Lying on the Lower Lea Valley, to the south of London’s Stratford and northwest of the Royal Docks, the London Island displays the juxtaposition of the hustle-bustle of the London’s central districts. One of the fast-emerging boroughs of London; however, the London Island remains in an interlude between a change in time from industrial to contemporary age. It is a complex assemblage of riverside route, industrial warehouses and logistics, gasholders, a few residential communities, and the community-led organisation, Cody Dock. Despite the strategic location of the area today, it indicates urban fragmentations, with disconnected neighbourhoods and underused spaces, thereby lacking a clear sense of how this area can be perceived. Thanks to Cody Dock and artistic and creative movements along Cody Road, a strong sense of community can be felt surprisingly there, apart from bland industrial warehouses and logistics which are covering a large portion of the land. The area has been exposed to the catalyst of Stratford regeneration project and state-of-the-art redevelopment of the Royal Docks, as well as the construction of Crossrail line. Nevertheless, on-going developments project have not led the London Island to improvement in the quality of spaces and to creating better strategic connections with the surrounding areas. Now, a combination of planned small- and largescale developments presents an opportunity to transform the area into a dynamic, revitalised part of London. To materialise this, a set of clear vision and deliberate strategies are needed. This urban design framework proposes a vision for “East End Gateway” to the study site over the next 30 years and develops urban design strategies from multiple perspectives based on the analysis of its complex contexts. PURPOSE OF THE FRAMEWORK This framework identifies the current and future of the site as ‘island’ and ‘gateway’, and focuses on justifying the transformation from one to the other through realising design strategies. The Framework: • • • •
Evolves on the principles of the Newham Local Plan (2018) by covering a different study area. Complements recently published in the London Plan (2021), which designated the study area as Strategic Industrial Location. Complements Tower Hamlets Local Plan (2021), which set the vision for the Lower Lea Valley. Complements other document such as the Lower Lea Planning Framework 2008 for Newham
The London Island
Development Timeline Today’s London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham have a long history of infrastructure development and industrial growth. Tracing back to the 1400s, several pieces of marshlands along River Lea were firstly developed as textile printing factories. A prosperity of tidal mills was witnessed in the 1700s , leaving valuable heritages including the Three Mills today. Industries were introduced to this area since 1800: developments including the Congreve’s Rocket Factory (1813), Thames Ironworks (1837) and Royal Victoria Dock (1855) being constructed, accompanied by functional infrastructures (e.g., the Barking Road and the North Woolwich Station). Approaching the 1880s, industries including chemical works, iron works, gas works and shipbuilding started to boost, followed by constructions of low-quality settlements for the working class in today’s Canning Town, Bromley, Poplar and Silvertown. The site was first developed in the 1870s, with Cody Dock being established in 1871 along the Western boundary and the Imperial Gas Light & Coke Company opened in 1872 and expanded in 1876. Both of the developments contributed to historical and heritage value today. Leading by industrial growth, the development pattern of the site during the 1890s and 1930s has significantly influenced the site and the surroundings today from the perspectives of urban structure, land use and socio-economic performance. This has left a physical isolation of the site and the dominance of social-rented housing in surrounding neighbourhoods. With areas along River Thames and River Lea being seriously damaged by the Blitz during World War 2, the built environment of the site and surroundings were scattered during the 1940s. Although many industries and docks along the river were closed down, those within the site survived and even presented growth to some extent in the 1950s. At the same time, the post-war housing recovery had reinforced the role of council and social housing in surrounding neighbourhoods, which has left the area in relatively poor socio-economic conditions and deprivation today. The decline of manufacturing industry since the 1960 accelerated the isolation of the site with the closure of the Royal Docks. Many industrial workers were laid off as a result, and government subsidies were cut down due to less significance of the area to the London’s economy. These socio-economic circumstances caused ramifications of further declines of the area, widening income disparity, housing and infrastructure compared to its western counterpart. Thanks to the active political movements which began to shed light on regeneration projects in East London, many cutting-edge urban regeneration projects have completed and are due to be completed in the future. Given the development of a new central business district in Canary Wharf and the London Olympics in 2012 as an embarkation point, a diversity of large-scale investments is flowing into London’s East End to invigorate the whole region with a new life. With the relocation of London City Hall to the East End, the London’s East End will be the future of London and the UK in the wider context, and more importantly, Newham is located in the heart of the East End to which our study area belongs.
Local Contexts Policy Contexts Newham Local Plan 2018
Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031
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The vision for Lower Lea Valley includes: • Development focuses on six character areas including Bromley-by-Bow and Poplar Riverside, with proposals concentrating on riverside green grid connections and Poplar riverside housing areas.
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The site is made up of Employment Hubs E04 and E08, which have future development focus of 1) distribution and logistics, engineering and green industries(E04) and 2) leisure, evening and night-time economy and associated supply chain (E08). The goal of enhancing the employability and long term employment prospects for all Newham residents. At least 15,608 additional housing units to be delivered in Custom House & Canning Town, encouraging a mix and balance of housing types and tenure mix with a significant increase in family housing. The requirement of 35% affordable housing in Canning Town. New Local Centre proposed in the vicinity of West Ham Station, acting as a resource hub for new neighbourhoods and surrounding areas Custom House & Canning Town strategic site allocations for areas close to the site, especially pieces of unused land to the southeast corner, providing suggestions of 1) residential-led mixed-use development in the site’s immediate surroundings and 2) a district centre based on Canning Town Station. Stratford strategic site allocations for areas adjacent to the site northern boundary (pieces of land at the east of Three Mills): a combination of residential and employment-generating uses. Strategic site allocation of Parcelforce within the site: suggested to develop employment-led mixed-use, with viable strategies of using the gasholders under careful considerations of impacts to heritage and character assets. Building height control of average 8 - 12 storeys, no higher than 19 storeys. General aims of addressing barriers and improving road/ bridge/tunnel accessibility, encouraging sustainable transport. The requirement of no more than 800m between bus stops. General aims of increasing green space/tree coverage and ‘completing’ the 26-mile long Lee Valley Regional Park which connects Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the Royal Docks and the River Thames with new continuous public parklands and continuous walking and cycling route along the River Lea.
Lower Lea Planning Framework 2008 •
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Development priorities of Newham include a focus on regeneration, the delivery of mixed communities, improvements of accessibility and quality of the built environment and waterside natural environment. Phased release of industrial land. Potential contributions to the North-South green space corridor. West Ham Sub-area site plan: potential uses of the gasholder area as open spaces. Cody Rd Sub-area site plan: 1. Potential cycling/pedestrian routes and crossings. 2. Potential riverside green routes. 3. Improvement of greenspaces around Cody Dock.
Site Analysis STRENGTHENS • • • • • • • • • •
The historical development of the site and the surroundings contributes to rich heritage resources and river-based cultural network to the site, leaving area uniqueness and landmarks (both heritage and contemporary). The site is located in adjacent to blue infrastructure and high-quality green infrastructures (within neighbourhoods to the North and the West), providing biodiversity (especially birds) to some extents. The mild skyline and low-density development formed by the domination of commercial-oriented industrial and homogenous industrial land uses within the site provides visual access to River Lea and harmonious landscape with the riverside. Land ownership of the site is evenly and assembly distributed. With nearly 40% of public ownership, the delivery of site redevelopment is more likely to be viable. Benefit from key multi-functional nodes generated by tube and railway stations nearby, the site is highly reachable by public transport (bus, tube and train), supporting connections to wider strategic areas. Areas within the site are reachable in 5-10 minutes’ walk from public transport stations, though this does not always mean high accessibility (see Weaknesses). The site has an affordable foundation of average low land and housing prices. Although having socio-economic issues such as deprivation, residential areas surrounded the site provide good sense of community, with amenities and high-quality greenspaces evenly distributed in-between. The site is functional as an employment area, having not only a strong employment basis but also physical infrastructures to meet local and wider areas’ needs. Although the site is dominated by industrial uses, the Cody Dock community garden and artworks present local power of community engagement and proactive attitudes towards qualitied life experiences, ecological protection and sustainability.
Site Analysis WEAKNESSES • •
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The site is physically isolated from the surroundings due to both natural and artificial barriers formed by River Lea, railway lines and Newham Way, restricting connections to Poplar, Stratford and Canning Town. Such isolation is reinforced by the site’s development pattern featured as rather-coarse and coarse grains (blocks) situated within irregular patterns and unplanned grids which led to an incoherent urban structure comparing to the surroundings. Gaps between land/building uses within and surrounded the site worsen this situation. Although having some unique features (gasholders, memorable garden, etc.), legibility of the site is low due to 1) unclear land use pattern; 2) invisible site entrances, footpaths and landmarks and; 3) fences and barriers that cause negative visual impacts. Accessibility within the site is low due to 1) lack of road network connectivity and dead-ends for vehicles; 2) lack of public transport routes; 3) absence of cycling lanes and 4) segregated sidewalks, narrow footpaths in poor quality for pedestrians. Combining with impacts of large blocks situated in between such road networks, the overall permeability of the site is low. Although criminal rate within the site is relatively low, the site creates strong sense of unsafety and is in risk of becoming unsafe due to 1) the lack of street lights; 2) lack of passive surveillance; 3) lack of 24-hour activities and active frontages; 4) unsafe junctions and; 5) the unsafe electric substation. With insufficient well-designed public spaces, high-quality green infrastructure network and building facades, the site is less attractive to residents and visitors. Such situation is worsen by the poor maintenance of the site (unwelcomed, informal spaces, fences, abandoned landscaping), which led to low sense of well-being and the lack of sense of belonging to the site. The site is suffering from major environmental issues of land containment, water pollution and littering. The existing impermeable land coverage (parking) could rise flood risks. Although statically not an issue, feelings of noise and dust are negative to the site. The site and surroundings are suffering from deprivation (low average income and high unemployment rate).
Site Analysis OPPORTUNITIES • • • •
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The opportunity of effectively using the vacant spaces as well as densifying existing built-up areas (horizontally and vertically) within the site. The opportunity of diversifying land uses and function of spaces within the site, serving wider groups of users and supporting a variety of activities in the future. To achieve stable economic growth in the future, the site has the potential to enhance the employment basis of the site and create more skilled jobs by upgrading and diversifying types of industries and businesses. In specific, the site has the potential to develop 1) creative & cultural industries based on the Gasholders and 2) digital businesses in line with the development trends of the East London Corridor such as technology campuses around the Olympic Park and the BBC music studios in Hackney (Savills, 2021). Regeneration of the site and surroundings is supported by local policies. With 40% of public land ownership, it is an opportunity for the site to deliver affordable housing and relieve local housing demand. The existing riverside greenspace provides a basis for enhancing 1) a high-quality, well-designed green and blue infrastructure network within the site and 2) connection to surrounding high-quality green and blue infrastructures, especially the North - to - South corridor at wider contexts. There are opportunities to 1) reintroduce nature and marshes and 2) create a riverside landscape corridor with more focal points. The opportunity of improving the connection and quality of existing pedestrian networks within the site and introducing cycling lanes. The opportunity of opening the two unused bridges on River Lea for improving pedestrian accesses to the site and enhancing connection to Tower Hamlets. The site can benefit from recent developments in the surroundings which reduce scattered patterns and improve the built environment. With a strong local willingness to build a sustainable community, there are opportunities to amplify social capital, supporting more types of activities and encouraging interactions between different social groups. The site has great potential to maximise historical and heritage value to achieve area uniqueness. There is also an opportunity to develop tourism and recreation industries. By making existing landmarks visible and better connected to each other, the site can be more legible in the future.
Site Analysis THREATENS •
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It can be difficult to transform the site which is currently industrial-dominated with no residential basis into other uses because of: 1. the cost of cleaning land containment for other uses (especially residential); 2. difficulties in changing people’s longstanding negative impressions of the site: residents may not be willing to move in; 3. difficulties in negotiating with existing businesses for either returning or relocat ing; The potential lack of education and healthcare facilities if the site is redeveloped as a residential-based area. The unsafety and negative visual impacts brought by the substation and railway lines are relatively permanent. The ability of physical design to overcome the relatively poor local socio-economic performances (i.e., high UnE, low household income, lack of residents with higher education certification) is limited. It might be difficult for advanced industries and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to survive in the long term even though they are introduced to the site. The undergoing developments with high-rise buildings in the site’s surroundings could bring uncertain visual impacts in the future, especially those along River Lea. Potential conflicts in land use interests for the site’s redevelopment. Careful considerations are necessary to achieve a balanced and coherent land use pattern. Social interactions between different social groups can still be limited even though a mixed community is physically planned and designed for the future. Risks of gentrification and housing affordability might increase.
The East End Gateway
Vision Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the site’s contexts, a vision of East End Gateway is proposed for the next 30 years: by 2050, the site will transform from the London Island into a strategic gateway defined from the perspectives of CONNECTIVITY, TRANSITION and UNIQUENESS. Regarding the site as a starting point for opening the East End of London in the future in line with development trends of Central London, the vision aims to achieve the followings by placemaking from the urban design perspective: • • • • • • • • •
Breaking physical barriers. Improving land-use connections and using land efficiently. Enhancing local economiv basis. Ensuring sustainable growth and mitigating uncertainties. Enhancing green and blue infrastructure networks. Maximising historical and cultural values of heritages within the site in relation to the gasholders. Amplifying community cultures and highlighting local (social) value. Attracting more groups of users to the site. Delivering high-quality mixed communities.
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CONNECTIVITY
An area with good physical connections to immediate surroundings and wider contexts from perspectives of urban structure, land use, transportation, green and blue infrastructure, and even heritage. An accessible area from all directions by multiple travel modes. An area which supports social interactions between different groups of people, not only local residents but also a variety of potential users of the site.
TRANSITION
To maximise benefits of development with minimum costs to the local, a gateway area should play important roles of 1) supporting local adaptation to changes (mainly in the near future) and 2) facilitating growth (mainly in the long term). A gateway area should be planned and designed based on careful considerations of existing differences in function of spaces within the site and between the site and surrounding neighbourhoods. A gateway area should also be planned and designed with awareness of gaps in socio-economic conditions and performances between the situated authority and other local authorities at city level.
UNIQUENESS
To make best uses of existing historical, cultural and heritage elements to create area uniqueness.
Conceptual Design CONNECTIVITY
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Breaking physical permanent barriers through enhancing existing access points and opening new, multi-functional entrances from the West, North and East. Improving road network and vehicular circulations within the site. Facilitating different types of travel modes, especially sustainable transport (walking & cycling) in the site by forming pedestrian and cycling route networks within the site and improving connections to existing networks in wider areas. Improving land-use connections by introducing residential-based districts between Cody Dock and neighbourhoods to the East. Enhancing green and blue infrastructure networks by 1) forming green corridors within the site based on the existing riverside corridor; 2) creating and networking public green spaces within the site and; 3) improving connections to existing high-quality greenspaces in surroundings.
UNIQUENESS
TRANSITION
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Maintaining and improving the local employment basis of the site with a mild trend. Forming commercial-led and business-led districts by 1) selecting and relocating some existing commercial-oriented industries based on the criteria of sustainable development and 2) introducing local retail and business to the site. Enhancing economic structure of the site and upgrading and diversifying industries for sustaining growth and mitigating uncertainties, by introducing cultural, creative and digital industries in the two character districts: Prologis Creative District and Bromley Gasholder Cultural Centre. Delivering high-quality mixed communities (housing type + tenure mixes + affordable housing) in the character district of Twelve Trees Village to achieve positive mixes and social interactions between local and new residents and minimise risks of gentrification. Delivering modern middle/high-rise residential buildings in the character district of Leaway Residence in line with regeneration in the surroundings to achieve long-term growth.
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Maximising historical and cultural values of heritages within the site by developing the Gasholder character district with strong area legibility and uniqueness, attracting visitors to the site. Amplifying community cultures of Cody Dock, maximising and highlighting local (social) value through the formation of Cody Dock Community Centre character district which serves both local residents and visitors. Facilitating a variety of activities (e.g., local markets, international art events, etc.) by providing more public open spaces across the site with different functions. Creating landmarks to 1) increase legibility of the site and 2) minimise negative visual impacts caused by the surroundings.
Conceptual Design
Master Plan
Planning for Transformation: urban & building strategies
Character Areas BROMLEY GASHOLDER CULTURAL DISTRICT A cultural and leisure use neighbourhood including the transformation of former gasholders to become a modern heritage site. An exhibition venue, a museum and local stores will be opened in proximity to the West Ham Memorial Gardens, to maximise the local heritage value and provide social interchange opportunities in a large green space.
PROLOGIS CREATIVE CENTRE A mixed-use neighbourhood includes a sports centre, co-working offices and high-quality green infrastructure to compensate for the local social and employment need next to the Cody Dock community centre.
CODY DOCK COMMUNITY CENTRE
LOCAL COMMERCIAL CENTRE
A mixed-use neighbourhood provides a full range of community facilities together with a leisure centre open along the Cody road, to meet surrounding areas’ social and shopping needs in one place. The heritage value of Cody dock is conserved and enhanced by supporting local events and activities such as the Winter/summer market are encouraged at the community garden.
A mixed-use neighbourhood includes housing, offices and schools that focus on providing local workplaces and encouraging commercial activities. Residents from the Twelve Tree Village will be benefited from the great accessibility it provides to the local heritage site and educational resources.
TWELVE TREE VILLAGE A modern styled residential neighbourhood comprises mid to high rise buildings to replace the previous warehouses. The Cody Rd and Stephenson St are activated by the commercial use of the ground floor. Public open space is provided on the Eastside to increase residential activity and to reduce the noise impact from the railway.
LOCAL BUSINESS CENTRE A neighbourhood comprises modern styled mid-rise office buildings to provide most workplaces within the site. A new transport hub will be established in proximity to this area to satisfy the commuting needs of the surrounding regions.
RESIDENCE LEAWAY A high-rise residential neighbourhood that enjoys the waterfront views and the great accessibility to nearby community facilities and public green space.
Development OVERVIEW
Previous figure ground of the site
To maintain and enhance the site’s strong employment basis to meet local and wider area’s needs. To create lively places with distinctive characters that attract people to come to play, live, work, and learn. To encourage the mix of building use in different themed neighbourhoods to realise the vision of East End Gateway overall.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Neighbourhood compatibility
To connect, respect and be compatible with the site’s surrounding buildings’ architecture styles and scale. The new building will maintain its own identity to enhance the site’s imageability and legibility and be complementary to its surrounding building use.
Forms, Density and Mix
To unlock the site development potential by taking a scaled approach to delivering a relatively higher building density that includes a variety of building forms from mid to high rise, which also addresses the site’s weakness within irregular patterns and unplanned grids.
Details and materials
To create a modern neighbourhood and the integration of historical culture. To demonstrate consistent use of materials, colours and detailing throughout all elevations in character areas. To create place identity and a strong sense of place by enhancing the heritage features within the site.
Functions and activities
To create places’ vitality through encouraging multi-functional buildings and mixed building use areas. To create street life by activating the frontages and to create diverse local activities by connecting building end-users to the community services, infrastructure and amenities.
Sustainability and adaptability
To incorporate sustainability ideas into the building design process to minimise the bad impacts on the environment. To be flexible enough to configure space in an adaptable way in responding to the speed of technological change and people’s changing needs.
Proposed figure ground of the site
Building Use
Form, Height & Massing This building development will introduce a overall relatively higher building density to create a cohesive urban grain and to maximise the site use capacity. A diverse building form are provided on the site, including terraces, linear blocks, courtyards and warehouses. Buildings are built alongside the streets in consistent build lines to help define the street use and the ownership and use of the open space, which aslo addresses the issues of unplanned building pattern. In general, most building development in this proposal are at mid-rise level (4-9 storeys), to facilitate the conversation between building and the ground plane, to create the development of interconnected urban blocks that contribute to places’ viability. Mid to high rise buildings (7-15 storeys) are provided along the high street create a sense of enclosure, to enhance the site’s imagability. Or along riverside, to build attractive places by taking advantage of River Lea’s views. Low-rise buildings are designed as multi-functional that has a large plot area, to support the diverse use of community facilities.
Mid-rise permeable courtyard
Mixed-use building along high street
The variation in building height through the site will be performed as a smooth flow, to create harmony between the overall building heights of the site. The building orientation and variation in the open space size are also taken into account to ensure buildings can access to sufficient daylight throughout the daytime and four seasons. The environmental sustainability measures will be applied in buildings to enhance the local biodiversity and reduce the negative environmental impact of the project. For example, installing solar panels and green rooftops at where possible.
Multi-functional large floorplate building
High-rise residential tower
Low-rise housing
Building Height
Building Mixed-use and Functions This design framework encourages the mix of building uses in each district to create places’ vitality and support building users access to services. Multi-functional vertical mixed-use buildings that have different uses on each floor are purposed at leisure centres and along streets, to encourage the use of public open space and the creation of local activities. Some areas in the residential neighbourhoods are proposed to encourage the horizontal mixed-use development, which most buildings are built up as residential-use only with several single-use buildings such as local restaurants and retails to create a place with a strong sense of quiet and private residential estate which can therefore enhance residents’ sense of belonging. By encouraging the mixed-use of building, this design proposal creates attractive places such as followings:
Prologis Creative Centre •
Providing a multi-functional area through repurposing the building structure and use of the light industry building. The ground floor will be curated to provide shops and cafes that enhance leisure value alongside the green corridor. The upper floors will be curated to provide sports facilities or workshop studios to satisfy the neighbourhood’ recreational needs.
Local Commercial Centre •
New primary and secondary schools will be established at the heart of the site, together with the office and commercial use buildings within the area can create the place liveness from the day to the night time. Residents can also benefit from the daily exposure to the local heritage in the immediate area, fostering a sense of belonging to the local area.
Cody Dock Community Centre •
Provides a multi-functional area that includes diverse building uses to create inclusive community spaces. A multi-purpose commercial square will be established near the Cody dock as a focal point, catering for all shopping needs in the surrounding area
Twelve Tree Village & Local Business Centre •
A row of retails will be opened at the ground floor of office or residential buildings, to activate Cody Road and Stephenson Street, to attract footfalls into the site and allow residents to get daily goods in close proximity.
Building Relationship With Street The streetscapes and street activities are related to the relationship between the building and the streets. This design proposal focuses on creating usable and attractive spaces for both visitors and residents.
Mixed-use building
Mixed-use building
High street Enclosure ratio 1:2
To create a soft, active, and permeable street interface by designing continued active frontages to enhance the place’s activeness and attractiveness, which also creates the sense of public use area. The ground floor of buildings along the high street will be commercially used, retails, cafes, restaurants will open to the street, including an extension of indoor space to the outdoor. Forming up a spatial continuity with an enclosure ratio of 1:2 to create a sense of visual openness and a diverse street life. Moreover, wide pavements are provided alongside the drive lane can improve people’s sense of safety in street activities.
Outdoor leisure space
Commercial use
Residential street To create a soft and visually permeable street interface by designing clear building entrances to the street, where a semi-private setback space is provided in front of the entrances, to provide greenery and bike parking space for the neighbourhoods, which can integrate into the streetscape, to emphasise the sense of private use area and to improve the resident’s sense of belonging.
Building access
Wide & safe pavement
The street section of a high street
Moreover, pedestrian and bike movement is supported by wide pavement, windows facing the street can add more eyes on the streets to increase street safety.
Building access: The entrances and exits to buildings are designed to be clearly identifiable on the street to contribute to people’s understanding of a place. The building can also be accessed through the internal courtyard that provides a communal entrance to the street, to encourage open space use and activities, and help to distinguish between public and private use of the space.
The street section of a residential street
Commercial use
Styles and Materials The building design of the site will be dominated by modern architectural styles. The element of the building focuses on creating a sense of cohesion and a sense of unity, to create a visual connection with the surrounding area with a consideration of the site’s heritage characteristics. The building constructions will use local materials and building methods to enhance local distinctiveness. The sustainability ideas are also incorporated to maximise building energy efficiency, to adapt to the speed of technological change and help the site’s transition to the East End gateway.
Residential area
Commercial area
Business area
Heritage site
Includes similar modern tall residential buildings to surroundings that place emphasis on the consistent use of colour and materials in the façade. To provide balconies for every unit to enlarge residents’ living space and range of activities that attract young people.
Draw inspiration from the small-scaled modern leisure centre and community centre, emphasis on the symmetry of the building’s appearance and the variety of functional uses of the building. A colourful appearance will be applied along the high street to create lively spaces.
Draw inspiration from the modern mid-rise office building, emphasis on the use of glass that receives more natural sunlight. To attract the establishment of new small businesses to improve the local employment rate.
Draw inspiration from the historic character of gasholders, Industrial and Victorian architectural style, emphasis on creating a contrast to show the transition from the old to the new era, to enrich the heritage value that improves the local distinctiveness.
Heritage and Conservation Overview The framework aims to preserve and honour the heritage and community of the London “island”. Despite relative isolation from other central districts of London, it is still rich with culture with a deep industral footage. Pedestrians can witness social capital established within the area, which generates a distinct local character and strong community feeling. Nevertheless, this sense of place may not be easily seen by the eyes of first-comers or even to newly settled locals, considering today’s fragmented urban circumstances surrounding the area. There are two major assets that represent significance for the history and characteristics of the area, as well as the signpost for the future use of the area. These assets must be protected while being transformed into new uses to enhance the overall value of the area and facilitate integration into a wider context of London. Furthermore, the River Lea offers a unique waterside route with the presence of public art sculptures. The Lea River is an environmental asset that is of a prominent importance to the area so that it must be conserved for the route to success, which lies in variegating the offerings and sustaining the environment. Key locations Cody Dock Cody Dock was built in 1871 with purposes of unloading coal for gas production and distributing the Imperial Company’s by-products. Today, Cody Dock is one of few places in the area where the sense of community can be strongly felt along with various community-led artistic and creative activities. Apart from industrial warehouses and logistics nearby, such artistic and creative industries are concentrated along Cody Road towards Cody Dock. Nonetheless, Cody Dock’s social capital is highly reliant on employees, volunteers and visitors on weekdays, meaning that there is a less sense of community felt on the weekends. Alongside community-led Cody Dock regeneration project that is currently underway, the framework should incorporate existing community setting and activities with new buildings surrounding Cody Dock to attract a larger number of visitors and potential employees and volunteers associated with creative industries in the future, thereby contributing to the development of the community and blending it to a wider London community.
Heritage and Conservation Gasholders The first phase of the gasholders in the UK were completed during 1860-67, and the second phase took place in 1879-80 with new interconnected guide frames and telescopic lifts. In the area, nine decorated Victorian gasholders were built between 1872 and 1882, with 7 remaining as Grade 2 listed buildings today (No. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9). The framework should not consider removal of the gasholders but celebrate its links with Britain’s Industrial history. Like the restoration of iconic Grade II listed gasholders into modern housing in King’s Cross, the framework should incorporate the industrial elements into modern uses of the gasholders for a variety of cultural, commercial and educational activities.
The River Lea The River Lea has allowed great value to develop across the area over the centuries, not only as a natural resource, but also as a primary site of socio-economic growth of London’s settlements. Since 2007, development of the public realm of the Lower Lea Valley has been on its way to completion The development centralises in integrating the 26-mile-long linear shaped Lea River Park with the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley. The creation of a new riverside landscape needs to grapple with with various obstacles in relation to constructing bridges to overcome disconnections to the nearby areas, improving environment sustainability and congregating existing but substandard and new public open spaces within the Lower Lea Valley. The Lea River Park will provide continuous walking and cycling route, and further developments are expected to be delivered on an incremental scale, with the goal of generating additional connections to new parks and cycling and walking routes. The framework should incorporate improved conditions and accessibilities of the River Lea into newly germinated cultural, commercial and educational activities in the area.
Heritage and Conservation Modern and Contemporary Heritage The Line – London’s Public Art Walk The ”Line” is London’s first public art trail. This public trail passes through the area, creating a walking and cycling route from Olympic Park to Cody Dock. A wide range of mesmerising contemporary public art sculptures are visible along the trail. The red sculpture is Anish Kapoor’s Orbit, and DNA DL90 by Abigail Fallis is on the left side, and the egg-shaped sculpture, the Hatchling, by Joanna Rajkowska is on the right side. The Hatchling is situated within the Cody Dock, speaking of fragility of birds’ wildlife due to urbanization. The framework should help facilitating and deepening public-private engagements in the area in regard to craftsmanship, given that Cody Dock is already a creative industries quarters with bespoke workshops and an exhibition spaces.
Newham Museum of Gas and Local History
Redevelopment of gasholder, Gasverket in Hjorthagen, Stockholm (Warehouse Home, 2021)
Refurbished grade II listed Victorian gasholder in King’s Cross, London (Warehouse Home, 2021)
Inspired by awe-inspiring modern housing right across Coal Drops Yard in London King’s Cross and redevelopment of gasholder in Stockholm that is currently underway, one of the gasholders will be tranformed into Newham Museum of Gas and local history. The framework of the gasholder will be preserved as in the case of King’s Cross, while a building like the case of Stockholm will be constructed with a transculent ceiling to control the level of sunlight. The new development is expected to fill in the area with a new energy, and the new form of gasholder as a museum will serve to diversfiy type of users in the area which has been rather neglected since the Industrial decline.
Redevelopment of gasholder, Gasverket in Hjorthagen, Stockholm (Warehouse Home, 2021)
0m
200m
Alongside Cody Dock and the Royal Docks in the southern tip of Newham, the museum will become one of Newham’s most popular destinations and will become the heart of the community.
Exhibition Venue Inspired by awe-inspiring modern housing right across Coal Drops Yard in London King’s Cross and redevelopment of gasholder in Stockholm that is currently underway, one of the gasholders will be tranformed into Newham Museum of Gas and local history. The framework of the gasholder will be preserved as in the case of King’s Cross, while a building like the case of Stockholm will be constructed with a transculent ceiling to control the level of sunlight.
Gasometer Oberhausen: An Exhibition Hall in a Former Gasometer (AmusingPlanet, 2015)
Gasometer Oberhausen: An Exhibition Hall in a Former Gasometer (AmusingPlanet, 2015)
The new development is expected to fill in the area with a new energy, and the new form of gasholder as a museum will serve to diversfiy type of users in the area which has been rather neglected since the Industrial decline. Alongside Cody Dock and the Royal Docks in the southern tip of Newham, the museum will become one of Newham’s most popular destinations and will become the heart of the community.
Gasometer Oberhausen: An Exhibition Hall in a Former Gasometer (AmusingPlanet, 2015)
Community Centre / Commercial Building
SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES LAVEZZORRIO COMMUNITY CENTER b y Studio Gang Architects, Chicago, IL (Architizer, 2018)
A modern comunuty centre will be constructed to assist the operation of the exhibition venue and the museum, while providing additional communal spaces, such as fitness and recreational facilities, for the local community. The community centre will help revitalise the gasholder area by generating new employment opportunities and by strengthening the community bonding through hiring young artists and immigrants in the wider study area. In addition, fitness and recreational facilities will be a beneficial asset to the local community environment.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (Architizer, 2018)
Situated next to the community centre, this new commercial building will serve visitors and locals with restaurants, cafes and pubs as well as gift shops. It will become more accessible for users to find and consume refreshments, and in this way, commercial activities will be further expanded through offering gift shops in collaboration with the museum and the exhibition venue. The gift shops will seek long-term partnerships with creative studios associated with Cody Dock to produce hand-made gifts and other goods that have relevance with the industrial history of Newham and London. This building will be a hub for economic and commercial activities through making a convenient setting for human interactions and through promoting a nexus of the gasholders, community centre, commercial building and Cody Dock. Furthermore, the rooftop of the commercial building will be used as a public space with greenery and benches so that visitors can have a quality time and a break from hectic city life.
BETANCES COMMUNITY CENTER, Bronx, NY (Architizer, 2018)
Public Realm Around Gasholders Inspired by forward-looking multifunctional bicycle stations that concern our enviornment and the well-being of the people, these two locations will consist of such bicycle pods for cyclists. With the plants covering or surrounding the pods, new greenery will be created besides resting spots for anyone visiting the area, or more importantly, for those pedestrians and cyclists passing down the route on the Lower River Lea.
Plant-Covered Bicycle Parking Pod, (Inhabitat, 2013)
The Green Pod, (New Atlas, 2010)
Those who intend to buy drinks and food at the commercial centre and use the community centre, as well as visiting the exhibition venue and the museum, can conveniently park their bikes and enjoy what the area offers.
Steam Clock, (Vancouverisawesome, 2018)
West Ham Memorial Garden currently appears to have no attachment to the public. The developments within the area of the gasholders will encourage a wider range of people to take initiatives to walk into the Memorial Garden after visiting the gasholder museum or the exhibition venue. It will allow the public to gain a better appreciation of significance of the Memorial Garden to commemoration of nearby gas workers killed during World War II, thereby forming a distinct sense of community and local identity.
The steam clock at the western harbourfront of the city of Vancouver was built in 1977 to commemorate the completion of refurbishment of historic buildings and revitalisation project in Vancouver’s Gastown area. Inspired by iconic steam clock, similar kind of monument or sculture will be built at the centre of the five gasholders surrounding it, with benches and lights. This seeks new dynamics and social interactions ,while improving natural surveillance; therefore, making the area a safer place for visitors.
Cody Dock Community Centre - Commercial
Onion in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea (Herenow, 2019) afé Columnin Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea (Herenow, 2019)
Seongsu-dong in central Seoul represents how large and unused warehouse and factories can be converted into modern and trendy cafes, pubs and restaurants. The development has been led by transforming semi-industrial district into a home to emerging start-ups and young artists and designers, becoming one of the most fashionable quarter in Seoul. The existing warehouse building will be divided into several buildings at a smaller scale, but large indoor spaces and lofty ceilings will be preserved for commercial uses. The middle section will host additional green spaces and, visitors can relax on the university yard-like grass during warmer seasons.
Onion in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea (Herenow, 2019)
The scattered and fragmented structures of current building arrangements will be reorganised to allow large spaces of former warehouses to accommodate new commercial activities. The coffee shop called Onion in Seongsu-dong in Seoul is a great inspiration to follow, as nobody expected a former metal factory to become one of bucket lists for Seoulites. The middle section will, again, provide public space with greenery with benches to encourage social interactions.
Cody Dock Community Centre - Office and Community
The rectangular-shaped warehouse-like buildings will be refurbished to accomodiate offices, and these offices will build connections and partnerships with the community centre at the gasholder and communities associated with Cody Dock.Lofty ceilings and spacious indoor spaces are suitable for creating easily convertible office spaces. Also, green spaces will be added to the centre to meet the demand for a sustainable workplace. THE SILVER BUILDING, LONDON SODA STUDIO, (DESIGNCURIAL, 2018) THE SILVER BUILDING, LONDON SODA STUDIO, (DESIGNCURIAL, 2018)
The two warehouse builidngs will be transformed into modern community centre to serve expanding coverage of people. This will provide new opportunities for communities associated with Cody Dock to enlarge and deepen their footage by ‘hosting workshops, exhibitions and fairs that engage the public in crafts and making’. (DESIGNCURIAL, 2018)
FUSIONYOUTHCENTRE , 2021
The concept of a structure within a structure (DESIGNCURIAL, 2018)
Former Warehouses Transform Into Modern Artistic and Creative Studios
Since some functions of Cody Dock community centre will be relocated to the new community centre and the office builiding nearby, a seasonal market, so-called Cody Market, will be built to serve visitors and locals as well as tourists. After visiting the gasholders, visitors can walk down the streets to Cody Dock and Cody Market to seek food and purchase art works made by artists and craftspeople, thereby invigorating economic, commercial and cultural activities in the area.
Former industrial buildings are celeberated as a great asset for creating trendy and flexible office spaces. Repurposing of these industrial built enviornment has become innovative means to provide studios and workspaces for creative enterprises, start-ups and artists. Building characteristics, such as high ceiling, large indoor space are advantageous in vitalising craftmanship and group projects, which will enable collaboration between different artists and businesses, thereby innovative and new ideas are to emerge.
What is now filled by Amazon logistics will be transformed into multifuctional green spaces. Not only will the provision of natural infrastructure generate environmental and health benefits but also purify the air and ornament the streets in the area. Multifunctional green space can be converted for diverse uses, such as hosting weddings, busking and winter Christmas market, as well as clean and safe public space for all.
Planning for Connectivity: transport infrastructure strategies
Transport Infrastructure Strategies OVERVIEW Transport infrastructures play the main role of enhancing Connectivity in the planning of East End Gateway. It also supplements the goal of Transition, as the improvement in movement can facilitate more visits to the site and support diversification of uses and activities. With a clear movement pattern within the site for all user groups, the identity and legibility of spaces can be enhanced as well. This framework proposes transport infrastructure strategies and design principles of a variety of travel modes for the site, including vehicle, public transport, pedestrian and cycling. They aim to build a high-quality multi-functional movement system in the site, serving different travel needs in the future.
RESHAPING THE NETWORK The reshape of route network is proposed to the site for following reasons: • The existing unplanned, fragmented route network leads to issues of inaccessibility, low permeability, poor circulation and restricted movement patterns within the site. • The existing network is not well-connected to the road networks outside the site, with limited entrances crowding along the eastern boundary and rarely access points from other directions. • The domination of tree patterns leads to traffic burden on the only main road (the Cody Rd). Facing the increasing traffic demand from different groups of users in the future, network reshaping strategies are proposed with the aims of: • Opening more access points for different travel modes. • Deconcentrating traffic flows and improving circulation. • Making destinations accessible and legible. Considering 1) the cost of infrastructure removal and construction and 2) local residents’ preferences, the existing main road networks of Cody Rd and local roads around Cody Dock are maintained as much as possible. The rearrangement of route network is proposed to some key locations.
The Eastern Boundary Stephenson St is proposed for demolishing and transforming into a green buffer zone to reduce pollution and negative visual impacts caused by the railway line. The removal of Stephenson St does not affect the connectivity of the site, as the existing road section is not fully connected with surrounding routes and its function is unnecessarily repeated with Manor Rd on the other side of the railway line. A North-to-South new main road is proposed along the railway line but shifts inwards the site compared to Stephenson St, connecting to the existing Bidder St. It reduces the number of junctions along the eastern boundary and leaves sufficient space for the buffer zone, which not only improves traffic safety but also makes the site entrances clearer and more legible. Twelve Tree Village A new main road is proposed to connect Routev Sans Nom east and the west of vehicular crossing above the railway line to meet future traffic demand within the residential area. Local roads in grid patterns are proposed within the district to secure traffic diversion and circulation. Leaway Residence A new site entrance is proposed along the existing Bidder St (part of the new main road) to meet future access demand within the residential area.
Transport Infrastructure Strategies ROAD HIERARCHY Route hierarchy of the site is defined based on a comprehensive consideration of road functions, width and relationship to other key built environment elements (e.g., the division of districts, building use, locations of open spaces, etc.). General features and design principles of each type of routes are presented as followings: Main road • Functioning as 1) major connections between the site and surroundings, 2) divisions of character districts, 3) the main body of vehicular and bus circulations and 4) major commuting routes. • Functioning with travel modes of vehicular, bus, cycling and walking. • Proposed width between 18 - 20m, including two-lane driving road and two-lane shared bus lanes. Either separated cycling lanes or bus/cycling shared lanes can be developed, depending on actual demand of cycling. • No street parking spaces. • Carriageway Islands should be provided for safe crossing. • Cody Rd has the potential to become a boulevard through maintaining trees along both sides of the road. Secondary road • Functioning as 1) diversion from main roads to relieve the relatively heavy traffic flows, 2) further division of districts, 3) minor commuting routes and, 4) connections to key destinations within the site (Cody Dock Community Centre, Riverside open spaces, Bromley gasholders, schools, etc.). • Functioning with certain combinations of vehicular, bus, cycling and pedestrian movement depending on users of destinations. For example, secondary roads within Cody Dock should have fewer driving lanes and wider pedestrian and cycling lanes, while those within residential areas should still be vehicle-based and allow street parking to some extent. • Proposed average width between 10m - 12m to support at least one to-and-fro driving lane and one bus lane, combining with pedestrian and cycling lanes. Local road • Functioning as further connections between buildings and openspaces to enhance detailed connections. • Proposed width between 6m-10m, allowing street parking in residential and business districts. • Local roads within the Cultural District should only contain pedestrian and cycling lanes. Waterfront • Entirely a pedestrian and cyclist route. • Adds 3 new connections across the West side of the river and connects the North towards Mill meads, and to the South with Bow creek ecology park. • Pedestrian paths are between 6-10m in width while cycle paths remain consistent as 4m wide. • Cycle paths are on the inner side of the site to allow easy transition into the site, and linear movement through the length of it.
Transport Infrastructure Strategies VEHICULAR MOVEMENT Three main vehicular entrances are defined to support accesses to the site and connect the site with surrounding main road networks which are more connected to wider areas. With the aim of minimising vehicle use within the site without impacting user’s basic needs, circulation strategies are proposed based on the road hierarchy. Two-way vehicular movements are only available on main roads and some of secondary roads (especially in Twelve Trees Village) to support residents’ needs (especially for families) and daily commuting. Public parking areas are planned in the Prologis Creative Centre for temporary demand raised by seasonal activities within the district. The design of parking areas should follow the general principle of permeable surfaces, integrated with green cover to ensure continuity of the tree corridor across the region.
Transport Infrastructure Strategies PUBLIC TRANSPORT As a majority of office and residential uses are proposed to the site, it is important to meet the emerging demand of commuting with a limited increase in vehicle uses. Therefore, a public transport system that can serve and connect both local travels and long-distance commuting is required. To make the best use of the existing public transport network, the Star Lane Transport Hub is proposed for benefiting not only the site but also surrounding neighbourhoods in the future. As the extension of Star Lane DLR station, the transport hub contains a new-built DLR platform and a bus station located at the western side of the existing pedestrian bridge, within the site. Two new shutter bus routes are proposed within the site to serve connections within business and residential areas. The bus station is expected to serve 6 - 8 bus routes crossing the surrounding neighbourhoods, either new bus routes or extensions of existing bus routes. It will provide the site better public transport connection at neighbourhood scale, especially to Tower Hamlets and Stratford. Surrounded railway and tube stations are more reachable. The Star Lane Transport Hub will also act as a legible and safe entrance node to the site.
Transport Infrastructure Strategies SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT Pedestrian • The whole site is designed with a grid structure to facilitate easy visual access, thereby allowing a legible understanding of the space. • Road layouts are broken down with cross roads every 100m, making the junctions an active space and hence safer to walk greater lengths at a time. • Open green spaces and tree belts surrounding the pavements act as break out spaces at most nodes around the site, allowing space for rest and social interaction. Cycling • Designated cycling lanes are proposed along all main and secondary roads. • Smaller residential roads possess comparatively lower traffic, hence 6-10m of two way roads are sufficient for cyclist movement.
Planning for Sustainable Future: green and blue infrastructure strategies
Blue-Green Infrastructure
OVERVIEW Green infrastructure is a strategic, planned network of natural, semi-natural and artificial network designed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services and quality of life benefits (European Commission, 2016; European Commission, 2012; Tzoulas et al., 2007; Bowen & Parry, 2015) This proposal enlists the use of Blue-Green infrastructure to address some of the key issues of the region including pollution of the river Lea, poor air quality in the region, and neglect of natural resources and ecology. Features such as ecological parks, woodlands, street trees and river ecosystems benefiting both the local biodiversity and bring people closer to natural experiences. Additionally, a strategy is set in place for the development of new residential, commercial, and mixed-use spaces that involves the development of “usable green spaces” as private gardens, semi-private shared spaces, and public parks that can service the new neighbourhoods to be liveable and enjoyable long-term. A network of artificial green infrastructure can then be incorporated within the design of individual developments for storm water management and pollution from runoff. Map (Google earth): Existing Blue-Green Infrastructure in and around site
Blue-Green Infrastructure INTRODUCTION Effective planning for biodiversity in cities relies on protective planning policies and the development of green infrastructure initiatives to maintain existing habitat and create new opportunities for biodiversity in urban areas (Norton et al., 2016) Conserving biodiversity in urban regions is vital to the ecological integrity of urban ecosystems. As the human population continues to disconnect from nature, it can lead to apathy towards wider environmental issues (Miller, 2005) thereby making human interaction with natural ecosystems more accessible than before. The East End Gateway is designed to set an example for this type of integrative approach to the quality of the built environment where protected biodiversity can co-exist with close human interaction, thereby surviving in a symbiotic relationship of nurturing and care from both the natural and societal spheres of our environment.
KEY OBJECTIVES 1. To revive the lost ecology of the Lea river marshes, thereby purifying the Lea waters and enhancing biodiversity in the region. 2. To develop the East End Gateway as a valuable location for preserved river ecological systems growing through time and enhancing user experiences of the spaces over the years. 3. To provide multifunctional green spaces that serve the community as a space for interaction, play, and healthier lifestyle. 4. Creating a self sustained network of natural systems through BGI as a longterm and low cost solution for a sustainable future.
Through a series of defined principles and character areas on site, the framework aims to develop an overview of the types of green and blue infrastructure proposed for the site.
• (X) Site Boundary River Lea Vital Green zones in the neighbourhood
Views along river Lea at pt.X (Self clicked)
Blue-Green Infrastructure DESIGN PROPOSAL The following are the key elements used in the proposal across the urban environment on site to achieve this vision: Ecological Restoration of the Lea River front • Barrier between River edge and water stabilized with rock bunds to enhance the development of wetland ecosystems over time. • Major walk and bike route along the river to connect the North and South wetland developments along the Lea River. • Ecological parks surrounding the walk path as resource and refuge for varied species. • Unhindered access to a variety of ecosystems, over phases, to promote sensitivity towards local ecology Restoration and Development of Existing Green Infrastructure • Development of the Twelve trees park to integrate it with the gas holders and memorial gardens forming the new Bromley Gasholders cultural district. • Network of Smaller parks and tree ‘corridors’ along the edge of the railway lines and along the streets, to help dissipate noise and air pollution from the main roads, and to allow a wider connect of the green infrastructure across the site. Planning for Walkable streets • Grid layout of streets, allowing clear visual access across the length of the streets. • Break out spaces – Parks, Semi public green spaces, at short intervals to minimize the visual fatigue of the dense built developments. • Connecting pedestrian and bike access across the river through a continued “Lea Walk” bridge leading onto future proposed parks on the west side of the Lea river. • The 26mile Lea river through the Lea Walk creates a linear connection along the length of the River, and is designed to be an active pedestrian and bicycle route. Storm water management • A system of Permeable pavements and Bio-swales across major roads, parking areas and crowd gathering points. • Rain gardens integrated with the Lea Walk pathway to facilitate natural drainage of storm water. • Utilizing the large roof space available, Green roofs and Rain-water harvesting systems can be retrofitted on larger office and community buildings, as flexibility permits.
CHARACTER AREAS 1. Natural Green Infrastructure - Revived and restored ecosystems 2. Semi Natural Green Infrastructure - Maintained green spaces 3. Artificial Green Infrastructure - Roof gardens, storm water systems
Blue-Green Infrastructure NATURAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE • •
Reviving the once thriving Lea Marshes is a potential step towards sensitizing the surrounding population towards the importance of natural systems in the Urban environment. Integrating this ecological revival with well designed spaces to allow human interaction and indulgence, and walkability in the area, not only brings these two spheres closer, but also promotes a healthy physical and mental lifestyle among the local community.
• (B) • (D) • (B) • (A) • (D) • (C)
Key Regions of Development: • • • •
(A) Lea River Walk (B) Gasholders woodlands & park (C) East end ecological park & rain gardens (D) Other Public parks
• (C)
Lea Walk Belt
Public Parks
Blue-Green Infrastructure LEA RIVER WALK - KEY FEATURES
Accessible water frontage and ecological zones
Pedestrian cross over merged with Vehicular bridge
Retaining Existing treeline and creating break out zones at intervals for rest and interaction
Protected biodiversity belt along Lea Walk Visually and Spatially accessible Pedestrian and Cyclist paths, connecting both the North and South of the site along the river
Openness of Site edge between River and Restored Vegetation
Re purposed warehouse block opened for free movement at ground level
“Lea River Walk” pathway Divergent pathway into wetlands
Layers of Vegetation inWetland Ecosystem in the East End Ecological park East End Ecological Park
Connected Green Spaces
Typical Section of Lea Walk near Re-purposed warehouse
Blue-Green Infrastructure SEMI-NATURAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE •
•
Green infrastructure elements can be woven into a community at several scales. A network of public, semi public, and private spaces aid in connecting biodiversity across a region by forming safe corridors for movement. Neighbourhood scale green infrastructure include acres of open park space, planting rain gardens and erecting a natural corridor using tree canopies along roads.
Public park in Twelve Tree Village
Tree barrier near railway station
Key Regions of Development: 1. • • • • •
Public and Semi public spaces Public Parks and open spaces (A) Fields for play in schools, sports & community centres. Community gardens, allotments (B) Shared Gardens in Residential zones Street Tree Network (C)
• (C)
• (A)
• (D)
• (B)
2. Private Green spaces-
• Institution buildings – schools, offices • Private front and back gardens • Shared private gardens (D)
Modified road
Natural and Semi-natural Green Infrastructure
• •
Tree belt near Railways and adjoining public park
Typical road section with tree canopies
Semi natural green spaces act as corridors to aid wildlife movement across large spans of urban areas. Private gardens can be modified to participate in the larger network of species habitat and movement.
Blue-Green Infrastructure ARTIFICIAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE • • • • •
Storm water runoff continues to be a major cause of water pollution in urban areas as it carries trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants through storm sewers into local waterways. Historically, communities have used gray infrastructure (systems of gutters, pipes, and tunnels) to move stormwater away from residential areas to water treatment plants or straight to local water bodies. The gray infrastructure in many areas is aging, and its existing capacity to manage large volumes of stormwater is decreasing in areas across the country. To meet this challenge, many communities are installing green infrastructure systems to bolster their capacity to manage stormwater.
Key Regions of Development: • Bio-swales and permeable pavements - infiltrate, treat, and/or store rainwater where it falls. Some surface allow water to percolate and reach natural ground water table. • Green roofs and walls - covered with growing media and vegetation that enable rainfall infiltration and evapo-transpiration of stored water. • Rain Gardens – shallow sunken areas of planting that collect water runoff, made to mimic natural absorption into land.
Public and Private “Non- Green” Open spaces
• •
Non- green open spaces on site are those that are either with a permeable or impermeable ground cover. These regions hold great potential to house artificial green infrastructure in the form of potted plants, water retention tanks, etc.
Conclusion The defined study area will have a far-reaching impact beyond the study boundary into the surrounding area. By 2050, the site will transform from the “London Island” into an “East End Gateway”. With reference to the broader vision for the study area, our framework seeks to achieve open-door policies, transforming it into a starting point into the East End of London in the future, as the East End is the ultimate economic opportunity for London’s future growth. Not only has the developments been in line with development trends of Central London but have also revitalised the area through significant improvements to accessibility, connections within the area and land-use of the buildings as well as additional green spaces. More importantly, we sought to create a cohesive and self-sufficient area, meaning that the area has become an attractive location for both visitors and locals. We conceptualised London Island as being filled with urban fragmentations since a sense of place was barely perceived. Nonetheless, The London Island’s rich industrial heritage, environment assets along the River Lea, and easily convertible warehouses and logistics offered unprecedented opportunities to breathe fresh life into a highly distinctive new part of London. Our proposals followed the guidelines set by our SWOT Analysis, vision, concepts, and comprehensive framework. Our rationale on the objectives and strategies was premised on initially established three major categories of Connectivity, Transition and Uniqueness under which various detailed topics developed to reach our “East End Gateway” vision. Our strategies were formulated in consideration of how these challenging issues prevailing in the study area can be addressed over time. The project has allowed us as a group to share and evaluate an eclectic mix of ideas from different disciplinary backgrounds. Nevertheless, we have found difficulties at times in formulating a consistent and logical narrative, as there was some misunderstanding in terms of interpreting, expressing, and connecting the strategies. The framework has highlighted hidden potential for our site, which was firstly introduced as “no-man’s land”. We hope that our document can be used as a reference for Newham’s wider regeneration project and as a source of inspirational ideas for future urban planning and design projects in London.
References GLA (2019). Developing the evidence base for London’s Local Industrial Strategy - Interim report [Online]. Available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/lis-evidence-base-interim-report.pdf (Accessed: 1 December 2021). Mayor of London (2008). Lower Lea Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework [Online]. Available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/opportunity-areas/oa-monitoring/lower-lea-valley (Accessed: 16 November 2021). Newham Council (2018). Newham Local Plan 2018 A 15 year plan looking ahead to 2033 [Online]. Available at: https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1111/newham-local-plan-2018-pdf- (Accessed: 17 November 2021). Savills (2021). Spotlight - East London Corridor Development [Online]. Available at: https://pdf.euro.savills.co.uk/uk/spotlight-on/spotlight---east-london-corridor-development-2021.pdf (Accessed: 30 November 2021). Tower Hamlets Council (2020). Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing Benefits [Online]. Available at: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Planning-and-building-control/Strategic-Planning/Local-Plan/TH_Local_Plan_2031_accessibility_checked.pdf (Accessed: 25 November 2021).
Contribution and Teamwork
Anjali Maniar • • • • • • •
Conducted site analysis of urban structure and built and space typologies. Contributed to defining and materialising the vision of Gateway. Designed, formulated, and produced the Master Plan. Examined and proposed green and blue infrastructure strategies, with draft notes, graphics, and sketches. Helped in understanding building scales, typologies, and styles. Carried out open space and heritage strategies. Helped in understanding concepts with regards to open space and heritage strategies.
Mike Park Carried out analysis of site’s history and space in use and social capital. Contributed in reading relevant materials and drafting notes for the Contexts chapter. Contributed in drafting executive summary, introduction, timeline and conclusion. Carried out research on socio-economic contexts of the study area, local policies and heritage preservation and reuse strategies. Carried out open space and heritage strategies.
Yuran Jin • •
• • •
Contributed in site analysis of natural resources and well-being. Carried out research on socio-economic contexts of the study area, local policies and heritage preservation and reuse strategies. Conducted research and compiled notes for character areas and building strategies. Contributed in designing graphics and models and formulating building strategies. Evaluated and refined open space and heritage strategies
Zhi Yang •
• •
• • • •
Led the team and decided the general direction of the project, proposed the idea of London Island and the vision and East End Gateway and conceptual planning. Carried out report writing and graphic making of chapters from Introduction to Conceptual Design. Contributed in site analysis of land use, demand and development trends and movement, summarised the SWOT analysis. Carried out transport infrastructure strategies. Contributed in designing the Master Plan. Refined notes and graphics for other group members. Structured the report layout.