Unit 9 site visit 1
Unit 9 out on a site visit of the River Thames.
Aqua - Terra Thames Gateway Cruise terminal + X
London’s public space on the river Thames, residential – industrial mix
The site: Unit 9 continues their theme of borders and boundaries by investigating the linear space between land and water that runs through London. In contrast to the abstract political, national and cultural boundaries from last year this edge is physical, tangible, with its specific materiality.
The river Thames is one of London’s greatest assets and at the same time the most underused. The river provides the largest, open, and continues ‘green spaces’ in London, historical it was the main contributor to London importance as political and commercial centre. From here the unknown worlds were discovered and conquered.
Protection for wharfs: To this day active wharfs are located along the embankments of the Thames. They are vital for London’s survival by bringing material for the never ending building construction into the city centre or ship tons of waste daily to landfill sites outside London.
The mayor of London has recognised their importance: They are protected from change of use.
In recent years the river has been rediscovered a public space and transport artery. However there are only very few public spaces on the river it self. With the new development in the currently industrial river banks of the east there is a great opportunity to redefine London’s relation with the river.
This year the unit will look in the first part of the year at specific industrial sites on the eastern section of the river.
The second part of the year we will broaden the view to understand the strategic importance of the river, the Thames Gateway Corridor for the future of London.