To understand the concept of sustainability through a holistic approach, considering the aspects of: social, cultural, economics and the environmental.
Reflect on current issues at the forefront of urban design: making cities more inclusive, collaborative, consume less, interact with nature and strengthen its design and maintain and reuse its heritage.
The project as a whole was based in Poplar, London and consisted of several key areas: City and nature, Urban character and heritage, Collaborative urbanism and Inclusive cities.
The examples shown are taken from the City and Nature area (Art Installation) and the Collaborative Urbanism area (P@use).
ART INSTALLATION - THE PROBLEM
When walking around Poplar it is clear that litter is an issue. Although the streets and pedestrian walkways are clear, the problem can be found at the edges. And, it isn’t just one edge or the edges along one or even two streets. It is on every edge. Tucked away behind bushes and fences the litter has just been idly dropped by residents and visitors alike.
As the current situation along the edges of Poplar cannot be seen, the process of degradation will be visible via each bottle along the timeline on the walkways. Starting in 2018 and ending in the year 2318, each bottle shows the condition of the years’ worth of litter. Once at the last bottle, the realism of the litter problem in Poplar, London, the UK and even globally will be evident.
If left to continue this invisible problem will only worsen and quality of life, our towns, cities and spaces will deteriorate. This deterioration never stops, it continues on 24 hours, 7 days a week for years and years. And so too does this piece of artwork; continually making passers-by aware of the invisible problem.
Using solar panels in the bottle top and phosphorescent pigment in the painted timeline, light is captured and stored only to be released at night and resulting in continued visibility.
To increase engagement of those passing by, QR codes can be found in a variety of locations around the bottles and scanned to provide further information about the litter inside; resulting in the ‘realism’ of the problem to become even more visible.
PAUSE@
A concept for collaborative engagement with the community and the local council to provide opportunity for the local youth to build on their skills and knowledge for the future.
It is a concept that can be located in various locations across the country and can be changeable and adaptable depending on the needs of each location. Using shipping continuer type structures, any pattern and layout can be created and within the different containers, any type of office, retail, business can be located.
In the case of PAUSE@ POPLAR, this proposal is influenced by the Government and local Council (having also taken into account the desires of residents following their 5 key themes from a 'Listening Campaign' undertaken by Poplar HARCA, which are: 1. Connectivity, 2. Belonging, 3. Environment, 4. Wellbeing, 5. Opportunities.) to help increase the use of bicycles by students and local residents.
