POST - COVID
TACTICAL URBANISM
Considering the impacts of the pandemic on our cities and the need for the urban spaces to adapt to the effects of climate change our initial ideas were considering tactical urbanism as part of making the site more vital and robust. Our main ideas include:
-
movable outdoor furniture
-
painted pavements at main entry-points to invite people in
-
interactive playgrounds for children
-
activities for adults (table tennis, chess etc.)
-
movable plants to allow people to adjust shade on sunny days
-
spaces to sit down, eat or lay down
-
outdoor art exhibitions and sculptures
RETHINKING LONDON
Our proposed development will seek to set a new standard for a post-Covid vision for the heart of London by following the principles outlined below:
-
considering the impacts of the pandemic urban spaces need more diverse uses to ensure access to services for people in all urban settings
-
houses need to be multifunctional - with living & working space, access to green open space and enough room for each member of the household to fulfil their creative potential
-
increased need for attractive open space that's functional even when businesses are closed, creating an urban living-room
-
enough indoor and outdoor space to allow for social distancing, spaces should be designed to allow for natural air-flow
-
available spaces to work outside of the home: offices for rent, workshops, co-working spaces etc.
-
employment and training opportunities for all, especially locals and people who lost their job during the pandemic
-
mixed-use and easy access to essential services
-
need for places to exercise, relax and have fun
-
self-sufficient urban quarter, taking advantage of services and facilities available around the site and providing what's missing
-
prioritising the needs of the community, as in times of the pandemic our immediate surroundings became much more important