On the 26th of October we talk about how each one of us saw the future of Peckham and what we wanted to improve, create and for who?
Reference: Mind map done in breakout room studio day
The main subject that came up during discussions was the quality of space and environmental strategies. Therefore, the aim and challenge for this project is to make it as environmentally friendly as possible.
How could we rethink Peckham as environmentally friendly as possible?
First of all, I have to identify the issues:
- Peckham sits on the river Peck and is at risk of flooding because of the Thames river. The topography of the site shows us of the land variations which can either encourage certain locations in Peckham to flood or be safe on a hill.
- This city has issues with density in terms of land use and traffic.
- It doesn't feel quiet and comfortable to walk around. Which can also relate to loneliness.
- Unfortunately known for its crime rate.
Solution ideas and questions:
- How to avoid the flooding but at the same time increase interaction between natural features and people in Peckham? Building on higher grounds? Or finding sites where I can create a building several stories high? Create new paths for rivers so that they don't flood the are? But does that fall into the role of the Architect or is that too much a job for a landscaper? Use the river to create renewable energy for the future building complexes? how could I do that? Maybe implementing hydraulic forces? is the current strong enough? I am going too far with this idea?
- To counter act density there can be several solutions but the goal is the same, improving mental and physical health. Including more vegetation into the city allows people to flee away from the urban aspect and pause. Investigating the roads can allow me to see which ones are the most used and by who (cars, buses, bicycles, pedestrians...), this can let me see which ones are not used and maybe make them more liveable. Changing the to pedestrian areas, children and elderly friendly. Creating voids allows to free busy spaces. Its about spreading out the traffic and categorising it by adding routes and patterns. Watch out to not forget role of architect! link roads to new residencies and commerces of Peckham. Not simply concentrate on what are routes and what they can be.
- How to make the city more comfortable and friendlier? How to make people want to stay, not just go by? Historically Peckham was the ideal place for traders stopping for the night on their way to London City and it also was the perfect rural area to live in because of the space, the greenery, the organic food and the silence. Creating social spaces, in link with voids? adding parks? Widen streets? Think of a cocoon. Work on ecology? renewable energies?
- Crime happens because of despair, unawareness, anger, economic issues. Bringing back nature, art and fun social spaces may reduce criminality rates. Having people work together on vertical farming spaces? Have white walls for people to express theirselves with graphics. Music voids? Dance platforms? Exterior leaning centres/community/support centres? Creating connections in the city can encourage interaction.
The idea is to clean up the area and "Funk it up". Make it attractive to the eye. Focus on the wellbeing? How can I achieve it? Elevate the peoples spirits. Find a way to encourage them to stop and enjoy the surroundings they live in. Interaction, opening up to others and the city itself, the materials, the aspect of sustainability, the future even though it seems complicated to think about it now as everything is quite uncertain.
Studio notes:
