Third Spaces as Interculturality in Architecture

Pro p osi n g a n I C N (Inter cu l tu r a l No de ) in the De ptf ord |

B o a rd: 1

Unit A - EMUVE | Devanshi Khant | Supervisors: Dr. Federico Wullf, Oscar Brito

WSA Masters in Architectural Design (MA AD) 2021-2022, Cardiff University

1.1 EMUVE

1.3 Intercultural Node

1.4 Interculturality for Deptford

This Design led-research project is based on the theme of EMUVE (Euro Mediterranean Urban Voids Ecology), a European funded research project.

Many European cities’ urban landscapes have deteriorated economically due to economic downturns and socially due to the migrant and refugee crises, resulting in low socioeconomic capital EMUVE is a research methodology that seeks to revitalise these deteriorated landscapes in urban areas by creative reactivation design strategies, fostering a symbiotic interaction between the urban and natural landscapes, and boosting the cultural value of the area (Wulff, F. and Guirnaldos, M., 2013).

The existence and equitable interaction of diverse cultures and the possibility of generating shared cultural expressions through dialogue and mutual respect. (UNESCO Diversity of Cultural Expressions. 2022. Interculturality.)

Whites make up 57% of the population, the majority group. 27% of the residents in the borough are foreign-born. 32% of the borough’s population is thought to be made up of first- and second-generation immigrants.

Intersection of equitable interaction fo diverse cultures and shared cultural expression through dialouge and mutual respect and having an impact at social and urban level.

57% Whites 27% Foreign born

The following ethnic groups are represented: Black Caribbean (13.40%), Black Africans (11.40%), Black Others (5.7%), and Indians (2.1%) (Intercultural citites, 2011).

1.2 Interculturality

32% 1st/ 2nd gen. immig.

The existence and equitable interaction of diverse cultures and the possibility of generating shared cultural expressions through dialogue and mutual respect.

(UNESCO Diversity of Cultural Expressions. 2022. Interculturality.)

Cultural Condition

Lewisham

Deptford

London

Cross-cultural

Intercultural

1.5 Deptford’s Richness Deptford Lounge Giffin Square festive celebrations

1.6 Deptford’s Pathos

Deptford High Street Market, cafes, grocery, restaurant, art gallaries, informal market

Deptford lounge creative events art exhibiton St. Paul Church

Lifting Bridge - a Heritage

Closing of Job centre to a Bar

New Housing towers

1.7 Deptford’s Pathos - Topic of Concern Even though cultural diversity is an asset to the Deptford area of Lewisham, many Gentrifying urban developments in there is a creating a threat amongst the existing intecultural practices and promoting displacement.

Egg shop converted to a barber shop

inequaltiy in Gender

Crime and safety issues

shelter for homeless

The research and conceptual evolution of the research starts with this topic of concern.

Urban Development Lack of Affordability

Lack of indentity of place

Gentrification Social Capital

Deptford Cinema - runed by volunteers, a hub for community

The Anchor - a reflection of past activities of shipbuilding in this place

Displacement of poor/ segregation History of Shipbuilding and various Industrial wharves

Albany theatre artists, communities and creative enterprise

1.8 Urban Decay - Gentrification

Multicultural

issues with developers

eviction of old tidemill wildlife garden

Privatization of Public land

1.10 Perception of Different Authors on ‘Third Space’ Homi K. Bhabha, 1994

Social-Cultural disruptions

Affect on historic and heritage values

Earlier (ADR) Conceptual evolution on the Topic of Concern

1.11 Conceptual Framework and Research Question

Edward Soja, 1996

Individual own Identity Spatiality

Social Impact Cultural Impact

Dominant and Discrimination: social class, color, race, language

Gentrification

Historicality

Sociality Trialectics of Being

Economic Impact

Physical

Cultutal Hybridity and Radical Openess

Mental

Cultural problems

Social Trialectics of Spatiality

Conclusion

Cultural Hybridity

Ray Oldenberg, 1999

Gentrification has an extensive affect on area’s social, cultural and economic aspects.

How the issues of this gentrification can be mitigated?

RQ: How can the social and cultural impact of Gentrification be minimised?

Restoring the lost historic and cultural values

Restaurant Market

1.9 Third Spaces - A solution to Gentrification

Stores

Accessiblity

Permeability

Sense of belonging

Church

Cafe

Gym

Park

Patricia Simões Aelbrecht, 2016 Node

Threshold

Edges

Props

Research Question Conclusion

Third Space can help in minimising the affect of Gentrification and increase the social capital, community cohesion of the area.

Third Spaces are one which are hybrid in terms of its users, activities, spaces, cultural boundaries that enforces good accessiblity, equality, social ineraction, cultural exchange on a neutral ground and promotes interculturality.

Considering the context of Deptford (culturally diverese) and aim to create an intercultural node, for this research, I am more leaned towards the Bhabha’s third space theory of cultural hybridity.

RQ: How can the social and cultural impact of Gentrification be minimised through third spaces promoting interculturality?

RQ: How can cultural hybridity, a subset of third spaces, be used to promote interculturality and mitigate the socio-cultural impacts of gentrification?

Conclusion

How can cultural hybridity, a subset of third spaces, be used to promote interculturality and mitigate the socio-cultural impacts of gentrification?

Sub Research Questions How can Cultural Hybridity be attained in Third Space?

How Third Space can regenerate the lost identity of the area?

Pro p osi n g a n I C N (Inter cu l tu r a l No de ) in the De ptf ord |

B o a rd: 2

Unit A - EMUVE | Devanshi Khant | Supervisors: Dr. Federico Wullf, Oscar Brito

WSA Masters in Architectural Design (MA AD) 2021-2022, Cardiff University

2.1 Contextual Analysis of Urban Gentrifying Regenration projects

2.2 Location of Site at Urban Scale Creek Area Trinity Laban Dance centre Creative small business

7 6

5

Lifting Bridge Creekside Discovery Centre

4 3

North

Connection with Deptford High Street Connection with Greenwich Borough of London

2

1

• More gentrified • Historic values are washed away • Creek as an economic asset • Little Industrial Character

South

8

Gentrified/Gentrifying area Green Area • Gentrified + Cultural Heritage • Historic values are retained but affected • Creek as an asset of Biodiverse Landscape • Industrial Character

encouraging Displacement

9

unaffordiblity threat to local business 10 11

12

lack of sense of belonging

13

lack of green spaces Building Blocks River, Creek and Docks

2.3 Swot Analysis

threat to local community Unemployment Unaffordability threat to cultural values Price hike Conclusion Deptford’s high street, Convoys wharf and Deptford Creek are the historic important places of the Deptford that are currently radiating the negative effects of gentrification in that particular area. However, with many community organisations and the local market being held, the negative impact on the social and urban fabric of deptford High street is quite less than the other two sites.

The most rapid urban transformation taking place is at the Deptford Creek, impacting many local small scale industries and also group of artists community residing there. The post - industrial derelict lands of this place is attracting the developers and lewisham council to make profits by developing high rise mixed used and residential developments which encourages displacement.

Keeping in mind the traces of the history, industrial development and biodiversity of the creek, there are many potentials of developing and reactivating this place by proposing an Intercultural node.

Strength:

Weakness:

• Rich historic values • Traces of the past use • The Lifting Bridge • Creek is rich in biodiversity

• derelict sites • the lifting bridge is neglected • North and South of the creek are socially fragmented.

• lack of more social and cultural space.

• socio- economic border between Deptford and Greenwich

Opportunity: • a potential area for developing an ICN • History for representing the cultural values • Lifting Bridge as a identity of Deptford and its past • biodiverstiy to unite the community and the relevant stakeholders

Threat: • gentrifying urban developments • Privatisation of land • loss of historic and cultural values of the creek

2.3 Contextual Analysis: Urban Post - Industrial Degradation at the Creek

Lower Deptford

1B 1B

15th and 16th Century - Pastaures, maintainance of cattle, slaughter house for Greenwich Palace

1A

shops and inns

1B 1C

12th Century Tidemill

2

Post Industrial Period

Wharves

4

2 3

Rehabilitated

4

Still used

1C

B mixed used Ccultural and educational

3

1A

3 3

Derelict/ Abandoned

1A

2

A residential Redevelopment

4

1B

1A

1

1B

1B

15th Century wooden wharves, lime kilns, gravel pits

Upper Depetforde XiII

1B 1A 1A

1B

3 3

1A

1A 1A

1C

2.5 Contextual Analysis: Urban Social Degradation at the Creek

2.6 Contextual Analysis: Ecology at the Creek

2 1

1.

Plant Life Wetland Flora Wall Species 1

Wasteland flora

2

2

1

Trees and Shrubs

Pedestrain/ Junction

Pedestrain/ Junction

1

Bird Life

2 2

Industrail warehouse

Pumping Station

Types of Encrochment 2.

Privitaization of Land through residential and mixed used development

3.

Border Conditions with Greenwich

4.

Fragmentation of different communities

Steel Sheet pilling

Naturalised Set back

Vegetated intertidal terraces

Pro p osi n g a n I C N (Inter cu l tu r a l No de ) in the De ptf ord |

B o a rd: 3

Unit A - EMUVE | Devanshi Khant | Supervisors: Dr. Federico Wullf, Oscar Brito

WSA Masters in Architectural Design (MA AD) 2021-2022, Cardiff University

3.1 Literature Review 1 - Cultural Hybridity

3.2 Design Idea Testing 1

The following extract has been obtained from: Cultural Hybridity - Vince Marotta, 2020, Integral Urbanism - Nan Ellin, 2007, Occupying third space: Hybridity and identity matrices in the multiracial experience - D. Brunsma, Daniel J. Delgado, 2008

1.

Permeable cultural borders/ boundaries

develop

2.

Permeable social borders/ boundaries

intiating

Integrating the current activity: archery fit with the activity of Organic gardening

Community of various artist

Community of boaters, residentials and industries

exchange of cultural values amongst different cultural groups

Creating Physical connections on the Creek by Pedestrian Bridge connecting the other side of the creek

Creating Physical connections on the Creek by Pedestrian Bridge connecting the other side of the creek

Lifting Bridge, Creek as the Border

Edge on the creek, currently surrounded by industiral warehouses, new developments

interaction and encounters between diverse cultural group, hosts and immigrants

Accessibility

3.

informal meetings with artists Outdooor Exibiting the thoughts and works of artists

Engagement

brings

Hybridity and connectivity

Activities and people 3.

Architecture and landscape develops/creates a cohesive environment bringing people from diverse background. Thus creating chances of interaction amongst them.

Proposed Connection with the creek 1.

3.3 Literature Review 1 - Reference

Creating permeable social boundary between Deptford and Greenwich by Providing Accessiblity through pedestrian bridges.

3.6 Research Topic Evolution

Cultural and Social Representation values

Space Interculturalism Inbetweenness

Culture

Co-operation

Cohesion

Integration

Social inclusion

Cultural problems

cu

ter

In

1. Planting a tree, old women chatting, kids playing football, squatters making traditional spanish dish for residents

lC

ra

ltu

Cooking traditional dish strengthening the community of residents and squatters

3.4 Design Idea Testing 2

ity rid yb lH ra ltu

1

Sports Creative art workshops

Library Book Club Story telling session

spaces for participatory activities

Informal Gathering Holiday and festive celebrations

Community Empowerment

2

Conversation

Participation

Informal

Formal

Cafe Music

Common Ground linked to Participatory activities

With the context of site

Community Development

Activities

Superimposing the intellectual stances of theories of various authors investigated under the umbrella of the previous research study of cultural hybridity deriving from third spaces has led to two research gaps/opportunities.

1)The activities that this intercultural space provides doesn’t enhances community empowerment, sense of belonging and social soliderity.There lies lack of trust, develpment and support amongst the community or society.

2)Creating Edward Soja’s trialietics of spatiallity, historicality and sociality and thus a Third Space by iterating the past events, reminding of the place, sharing the cultural and social values of that space through Story - telling.

3.7 Literature Review 2 - Managing/ Resisting/ Spatialising Gentrification

Dance Potluck

n

Green spaces developing the well-being of the community and enhancing its cohesion

tio

Initiating and promoting people to gather and communicate

Sense of belonging

Reminiscence

People 4. Gardening the area with local vegetation

ica

Acceptance

Cultura Hybridity

un

3. Benches and stage amidst the area

m

2. Football ground, Basketbalcourt, kids play area

Social Soliderity

om

Equality

team sports activities developing the spirit of team amongst the community

The following extract has been obtained from: Managing Gentrification - Deborah L. Myerson, 2006, Resisting gentrification, reclaiming urban spaces: Latin urbanism in London - Patria Roman Velazques, 2022, Resisting gentrification: The theoretical and practice contributions of social work - Amie Thurber, Amy Krings, Linda S Martinez, Mary Ohmer, 2021

Previous Research question

How can cultural hybridity, a subset of third spaces, be used to promote interculturality and mitigate the socio-cultural impacts of gentrification?

New Research question

How can cultural hybridity, a subset of third spaces enforces community development to promote interculturality and mitigate the socio-cultural impacts of gentrification?

Sub Research How can community development aid in strengthening the trust of question the community?

How can community be managed to have cohesivity amongst its people?

3.9 Case Study - Lea River Park, Lea River, London River Lea valley project is about providing access and linking the fragmented parts of river valley with parks and interventions holding, inviting and co-operating the people. People from diverse cultural background can participate.

Context is simliar to that of the deptford creek of regenerating a degraded post industrial site by infusing the cultural and social values of the place.

• Mobilising inside the community to involve stakeholders and communities • Creating historical and cultural stories • Building alliances with different stakeholders • Use of unused land and abandoned structures for the welfare of the neighbourhood • Giving priority to non-profit organisations and underutilized public space • Community activities to support employment, career, and skill development • identity symbols like music, cuisine, and colour used as a form of resistance • Community development • Community organising

Participate Activities involving the community to participate, gather and share : promoting Ecological education

3.8 Literature Review 2 - References

Considering the Stakeholders and their activities

Organic Garden

For permeable cultural boundary having participatory activities generated by functions such as mentioned in the diagram discription

3.5 Literature Review Mapping

El Forat de la Vergonya (the Hole of Shame), Ciutat Vella, Barcelona Recreation area with outdoor vegetable gardens and sports fields, 2006

Game evenings

2.

Cu

4.

Existing Connection with the creek

Hybridity and connectivity in the site is achieved by having scattered fuctions at the different ends of the creek

Access and Linkage providing horizontal as well as vertical access and linking the bits and parts to create cohesivity.

1) Papiroeen/ Paper Island, Copenhagen Street Food and Experiments, 2017-2022

Multifunctional room

Third Space

Creative art Exhibiton workshops space Story telling session Informal Gathering Holiday and festive celebrations

spaces for participatory activities Leisure walk

Common Ground linked to Participatory activities

Historical background Produced collective living codes encouraging invitations Common space character

• Spatial arrangement supporting each other via communal life practices • Suitable environment of free expression, without individualization

Promoting knowledge providing knowledge brings awarness and is a process of community develpment.

Materiality Using the local material such as wood, metal so that it merges with the context ans has theW

Pro p osi n g a n I C N (Inter cu l tu r a l No de ) in the De ptf ord |

B o a rd: 4

Unit A - EMUVE | Devanshi Khant | Supervisors: Dr. Federico Wullf, Oscar Brito

WSA Masters in Architectural Design (MA AD) 2021-2022, Cardiff University

4.1 Design Intervention sites at urban level Previous state of Creek

After the intervention state of Creek

Site level - industrial heritage and ecology Neighbourhood Level - Access, recreation

Intervention site 2 Intervention site 1

Urban Level - Deptford Creek and its image, socio - economic divide with greenwich

3

3

Intervention site 3

Community Development

2

2 1

1

Cultural Hybridity

Intervention site 3

Third Space

4.2 Design Intervention site 1 A third space with Infomal spatial layout creating and supporting the communal life - LR2 reference

2

Furniture made from the unwanted and waste wooden materials on the site - LR2 reference

1 1

Nearby Context: Community of various artist, boating community, other various artist, pub Previous condition: Used as a left over place, under used After ICN proposal: Informal meetings with artist, outdoor exhibitions, interacting and sharing knowledge amongst the locals, artist and boating community, story-telling session - LR2

Walls for exhibiting and advertising is a combination of brick, corrugated sheet and concrete - resonating the past and current materiality of the area Case study

2

Architectural level, scale 1:100

4.2 Design Intervention site 2 Consists of : Organic Garden Informal seating meeting room Organic gardening benefiting the health of the community and its people, and creating cohesivity - LR1, LR2, Case study

Nearby Context: Community of boaters, residentials and industries Previous condition: Used as a left over place, under used, backyard After ICN proposal: Integrating the current activity: archery fit with the activity of Organic gardening - LR2 Encouraging invitations and common space character LR2, LR1 Meeting room for storing the necessary items for organic gardening and also a space for story telling session and some random workshops amongst the community

Architectural level, scale 1:100

Organic gardening with seating alongside, initating to share stories and have conversations - LR1, Case study

4.3 Design Intervention site 3

Nearby Context: edge on the creek, currently surrounded by industiral warehouses, new developments

View from the roof garden looking towards the mouth of the creek

Previous condition: under used, backyard to the deptford and to the warehouse, a sight from the ha’penny bridge

4.4 Conclusion

After ICN proposal: Access into the creek, learning centre spreading the knowledge of the ecology of the creek, a hangout space, a place to create reminisence Encouraging invitations and common space character - LR2, LR1, Case Study Consists of : Cultural open spaces Exhibition space Formal and Informal Lounge Meeting room and Workshop areas Multifunctional room Storage Rooms Organic Gardens Wash Area Services Roof Garden

Which holds : Intercultural communication Sharing Knowledge and representing cultural values Cultural exchange of values Community development programs Celebration, learning Social interactions Necessary Facilities

View of the ICN intervention form the start of the walk

View of the ICN intervention form the start of the walk

Physical and visual connections to the different fragments of the intervention of ICN at the creek’s edge

led to multiple soluitons of promoting interculturality through programmatic, spatial way. The various translations of theories into space and architecture has developed an ICN that not only has its impact on that particular scale but also on the neighbourhood and urban scale of the creek.