From the development of Dockland / Island of Dogs in the 1980s and 1990s to the gentrification of East London during the pre-Olympic construction period, London has gone through waves of capital-driven urban renewal which had brought unprecedented prosperity to the city. The mass developments, however, also intensified the housing inequalities among the local communities, as investments often favors short-term return in the private sector. Nowadays, with the focus shifting towards public welfare, London is generating more efforts to balance efficiency and equality in the city’s latest development plans.
Urban renewal process in the UK are complex and can easily take over 5 to 10 years till completion. This involves extensive reviews from different government departments and thorough consultation with stakeholders including the local residents. The practice would bring in more discreet considerations on the preservation of local culture, history and the communities within. Urban renewal, as it improves living environment and business opportunities for local communities, is not equivalent to wiping out everything and building from scratch again. Thus, opinions of the local community should be valued and addressed.
In the regeneration of Regent Quarter at King’s Cross Station in London, Aedas combines the approaches of ‘adaptive re-use’ and ‘urban insertion’. By inserting new buildings around the restored and adapted old buildings, Aedas were able to achieve minimal disturbance to the surrounding residence while injecting vitality to the historic area.
As architects and urban planners, it is crucial us to start the conversation with each stakeholder before designing. If we are able to find out their needs and aspirations and respond those needs as much as possible, there will be less chance for us to make mistakes.
