The Industrial Valley Tottenham
The project is a proposition to tackle the problem of land shortage, increasing land values, gentrification and privatization of public space. By the vertical arrangement of city activities into a single urban block, it will support close collaboration between them. In times of housing shortage and slow degradation of British industry, the usual development of residential blocks with commercial ground floor space tends to push out small industries and businesses from the area. This new building typology is an alternative for current land development strategies.
This project is aiming to find a common ground [literally] for all key aspects of city life: work, life, trade, and cooperation. The proposed building model will create an environment for sharing knowledge and skills that will empower individuals to contribute to building a resilient economy.
Production of material and non-material goods is a heart of every city economy. Instead of shipping goods from cheap labor countries, we should produce them locally and reduce the transportation [costs and environment impact] to an absolute minimum.
Land retrieved throughout this sort of arrangement can serve all residents, workers, and visitors as common recreational area and link green spaces within building blocks with park area. The presented master plan entirely prioritizes pedestrian and cyclists movement over vehicles [which are to provide services rather than a form of transportation].
The current regeneration plan for Tottenham foresees new £400m stadium, franchise shops, 10,000 new homes, hotels and supermarkets. Our proposal is an alternative to this investment. It uses the public money and pension funds, already allocated for the area, to finance the implementation. This solution would celebrate British industrial heritage and manifest the importance and interdependence of different trades and crafts.
It will enable the community to take the ownership and manage co-working offices and workshops and to collaborate in building the local economy.
Katarzyna Skrucha (co-designer) obtained Bachelor in Architecture from Plymouth University and Artist Diploma with a specialism in Sculpture Techniques from School of Fine Arts in Radom, Poland. With two years of experience in practice and over ten in design, she is currently studying master of architecture program. Her main interest is urban regeneration, place identity and socio-economical evolution through spatial interventions.
Tatjana Geta (co-designer) is originally from Riga, Latvia. Received her Bachelor Degree in Architecture from Bologna University, Italy. Her final dissertation in sustainable city planning took her to Vancouver, Canada. Currently, she is studying master of architecture program and exploring the ways architecture can become a catalyst for strong political and social changes.
