Reflection

Regeneration presents complex planning issues regardless of the site size. Despite the issues presented, the benefits that can be brought to communities and the physical realm transform places. There are many examples of large-scale regeneration projects that focus on economic regeneration, often in corporate and national interest, like the Farrells RAD masterplan and the Dublin Docklands. While these, mostly, create high-quality urban spaces and economic growth, the community is often pushed out due to increased property values or neglected. Being able to focus on a community-led approach allows for the identification and solving of local issues through urban planning. Delivering regeneration through Community Land Trusts and grants without conditions attached empowers the community to take ownership of their space and economy and seems more humane (but perhaps not as profitable).

Given the history of the site, preserving and utilising the heritage building was equally important to the community focus. Celebrating maritime heritage buildings is common across the country, as shown by the Waterfront in Plymouth, and without regeneration, both sites could have lost heritage buildings. The integration of the waterfront with the wider site through good connections and giving the waterfront provide leisure and relaxation, especially in the post-Covid city. The green space running through the centre of the development, acting almost as a pedestrian footpath ‘spine’, aims to provide a sense of nature within the urban environment.

Connecting to areas outside the site, like Newham, was challenging as they were outside the development area and the A1020 isolates the site. Social connections would be just as important as providing a reason for people to visit the site would activate the site creating vibrancy. The community and people passing through were intended to benefit from the community-designated buildings, due to their robust and flexible nature.