This work investigates the making of a large plan, related to the extensive area of the Lower Lea Valley. Several master plans have been put forward for the area, with the Olympic Park as a prime example. The large plan can be an advantage when dealing with complex situations but it confronts issues about who can control planning, the integration of complex financial and political players, and the interests of private investors. In the Lea Valley examples include IKEA at Sugar House Lane or the Stratford shopping centre
We investigate how to intervene inclusively to benefit both the current inhabitants and future new residents who may be knowledge-workers as London evolves from an industrial economy to a service and knowledge-based one. We propose the need to re-invest in knowledge and education, going beyond conventional educational institutions, as well as new ways of clustering environments of different uses, work activities, leisure and individual living.
At the scale of the local area we test spatial characteristics such as the porosity of edge conditions, interfaces, voids and points of intensity. Here the topographical character of LLV is of particular importance – how the Valley is both a landscape with a conventional scenic attraction and also a unique morphology that consists of industrial roughness and large infrastructural lines. We propose the concept of Strips that engage with this topography. Strips offer a series of interventions using existing and new points of intensity, often forming themselves around existing transport infrastructure and testing its spatial potential. This tool for re-generating LLV allows for accessibility and movement between various strategic points in the valley. The friction between scales and program can provide for a quality of adaptable built space including innovative live/work typologies, and new places of knowledge exchange.
