The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court Mudchute City Farm

St John’s Park

N 51 ° 29’ 29.468” W 0 ° 0’ 53.688”

N 51 ° 29’ 49.091” W 0 ° 0’ 36.991”

Old Royal Naval College

N 51 ° 29’ 0.07” W 0 ° 0’ 25.086”

Convoys Wharf

N 51 ° 29’ 9.899” W 0 ° 1’ 42.445”

Sayes Court

N 51 ° 29’ 2.679” W 0 ° 1’ 51.628”

Deptford Park

N 51 ° 29’ 12.264” W 0 ° 2’ 20.491”

Fordham Park

N 51 ° 28’ 38.759” W 0 ° 2’ 9.638”

Folkestone Gardens

N 51 ° 29’ 0.248” W 0 ° 2’ 24.827”

and the Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London Joshua Kirkwood

Acknowledgements Many thanks to Roo for giving up her time to talk to me about a very special project. To the staff at ‘The Rotherhithe Picture Research Gallery’, for allowing me to use their resources even when they were closed and to Simon Withers for all the help and guidance throughout.

The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London Joshua Kirkwood

2019/ 20 BA (H) Architecture Course Tittle : ARCT 1014 Architecture Dissertation Course Tutor: Simon Withers Declaration:

‘To be presented to the Department of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Greenwich as part of the BA (Hons) Architecture course’.

‘Except where stated otherwise, this dissertation is based entirely on the author’s own work’.

Signature of Student:

Date: 06.01.2020

The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Abstract 7 Glossary of Key Terms Lexicon 8 - 9 Introduction Expansion and Contraction 12 - 17

Constant

The Anomaly

Contractions

24 - 29

18 -23

18th Centruy London

Common land and enclosures. The emphasis on vegetation and open space in 18th century London with a focus on Sayes Court.

The urban sprawl and physical growth Growing rates of cities. How a city grows in differnt directions and how this affects the density of the urban forest.

Roma Interrotta 1978

Case study for the interrupted city in which twelve architects participated in the design competition for a “New Rome” based on the city’s historical center.

Conclusion 4

Sayes Court, Deptford

Heritage value, the origins of Sayes Court and constanley shifting boundaires.

Conversations at Sayes Court

How green spaces need a voice, the benefits of a positive proposal and the Deptford is movement.

A precedent for the future

How Sayes Court can help similar projects in the future.

Lessons learnt from Sayes Court

40 - 43

30 - 35

Buildings 36 - 39

Mapping areas of deficiency in London

Importance of mapping London’s deficicent areas, the London Plan and helping local communities.

Exploring the in-between

The invention of Paley Park (New York), quality of space with the city and using leftover areas for development.

Living within a contempary city

Deficincey within the urban forest, Burgess Park and BedZED

Privately owned public space, the London Town Hall and the benefits and negatives aspects of this open space.

What can be done to avoid this?

Our relationship with the living world

Access to public open space

Sayes Court as an example for removing deficit in green space and how they are aiming to achive this in the future.

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

The Deficit

Life Between

Having a strong sense of community and how people connect in spaces.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Figure 1.

Sayes Court and Deptford Dockyard Historic Map Overlays, From 1698 to 2011, Convoys Wharf (formerly the The King’s Yard and Sayes Court Garden) has been extensively and beautifully surveyed and mapped. This document places these layers of history within their modern spacial context.

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Abstract

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[1] Introductary quote shown on the homepage of the Sayes Court website which explains the ethos of the project.

Sayescourt.org/sayescourt/home, main quotation [2] Sayescourt.org/ sayes-court/home

“We believe in a world where living in cities is not at odds with — but deepens and enriches our relationship with the living world” [1]

This dissertation intends to look how London’s green spaces both expand and contract over time, to see if there was a way in this modern world, to make our cities co-exist with the living world. Throughout this investigation one key example stood out more than any other as being a place of great change, one that has challenged and set standards repeatedly. This was Sayes Court which is the main focus of the dissertation as it has become an urban anomaly for being an example of a green space which has expanded due to the people who are involved in the project and its long history of initiating change.

“The work that has undergone at Sayes Court is one incredible story of a community fighting for a space which for them brings a sense of connection, humanity and transcendence. Their goal – to create a place where anyone can come from to explore, educate and advocate. A place where people can learn about the living world in their community in a place that has an incredibly rich history.” [2]

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[3] Laird, M., 2014 Comment Letter on the Convoys Wharf Devlopment, Harvard Design School. Mark Laird is a landscape historian and writer who has written previous books including ‘The Flowering of the Landscape Garden: English Pleasure Grounds, 1720 - 1800 and Mrs. Delany and Her Circle (Yale). He makes a valuable point on the importance of Sayes Court and why it is so important to London’s historic value.

Mark Laird (the Senior Lecturer in the History of Landscape Architecture at Harvard) wrote “It is impossible to overstate the significance of Sayes Court and the History of John Evelyn’s life and work at the site that is under threat of irreversible development… it laid the groundwork for a sustainable London of the 21st century – clean air, tree canopy and food in the city”. [3]

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

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In London green spaces offer a sense of connection between communities and becomes a place which depends and enriches our relationship with the living world. These spaces are constantly expanding and contracting throughout history due to many political, environmental and social reasons. This dissertation aims to uncover the constantly shifting boarders in London’s green spaces. What they are being used for and how local people are demanding change in this modern world with the ever-increasing threat of climate change.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Glossary of Key Terms

Anomaly

Lexicon

n,. pl. - lies. 1. Something anomalous. 2. Deviation from the normal; irregularity. 3. Astron. The angle between a planet, the sun, and the previous perihelion of the planet. A blip on the screen of life that doesn’t fit with the rest of the pattern. Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. This dissertation uses the term ‘The Urban Anomaly’ to describe the Sayes Court project located in Deptford. An example of a green space that has expanded for the benefit of the local community through people who believe in a modern city we do not need to compromise on experiencing the living world. [1]

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Urban adj. 1. Of, relating to, or constituting a city or

The term Urban is used throughout the dissertation alongside ‘anomaly’ which characterised Sayes Court as a green space which has expanded.

town. 2. Living in a city or town. Or Urbanize or -nise vb. (tr.) (Usually Passive) a. To make (esp. a predominantly rural area or country) more industrialised and urban. b.

To cause migration of an increasing proportion of (rural dwellers) into cities - urbani’zation or ni’sation n. [1]

Urban Forest Perhaps London is better understood as an urban forest, a term used frequently in this dissertation as shorthand to mean all trees and green open spaces in the city. This includes patches of woodland, parks, railway embankments, land around estates, the gardens of private homes and street trees. The urban forest is critical for ensuring the city is ‘liveable’, meaning that is both a pleasant place to live and work. [2] →→

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Expand or Expanding is used throughout the entirety dissertation as a way of describing the movement of the urban forest. When the boarder of an area land moves out much like Sayes Court, the dissertation uses the term expand to describe it.

Expand vb. 1. To make or become greater in extent,

A key word in the dissertation (contract) which is used to describe the urban forest shrinking. This is used to describe the majory of London’s green spaces and is one of the main themes of the dissertation.

Contract vb. 1. To make or become smaller, narrower,

volume, size, or scope. 2. To spread out; unfold; stretch out.

3. (Int; often fall. by on) to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc.) 4. (Intr.) to become increasing relaxed, friendly, or talkative. 5. Maths. To express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms. Expanse n. 1. An uninterrupted surface of something that extends, esp. over a wide area; stretch. 2. Expansion or extension. [1]

shorter, etc. 2. (When intr., sometimes foll. By for; when tr., may take an infinitive) to enter into an agreement with (a person, company, etc.) to deliver (goods and services) or to do (something) on mutually agreed terms 3. To draw or be drawn together.

Conservation n. 1. The act of conserving or keeping

or keeping from change, loss, injury, etc. 2. a. Protection, preservation and careful management of natural resources. b. (As modifier): a conservation area. 3. Physics, etc. the preservation of a specified aspect or value of a system, as in conservation of charge, conservation of momentum, conservation of parity. [1]

Living adj. 1.a. possessing life; not dead. b. (As collective

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The Living World comprises an amazing diversity of living organisms... that all present-day living organisms are related to each other and also to all organisms that ever lived on this earth, was a revalation which humbled man and led to cultural movements for conservation of biodiversity.

Community n., pl. -ties. 1.a the people living in one

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Educate. Give intellectual, moral, and social instruction to (someone), typeically at school or university.

Relationship. The way in which two or more peoplenor things are connected, or the state of being connected by blood or marriage.

n. preceded by the): the living 2. Having the characteristics of life (used esp. to distinguish organisms from non living matter). 3. Currently in use or valid: living language. 4.

Seeming to be real: a living image. 5. (Of animals or plants) existing in the present age. 6. Presented by actors before a live audience; living theatre. 7. (Pronominal) (intensifier): the living daylights. 8. The condition of being alive. 9. The manner in which one conducts one’s life: fast living. 10 the means, esp. the financial means, whereby one lives. 11.

Church of England. Another term for benefice. 12. (Modifier) of, involving, or characteristic of everyday life: living area. 13.(modifier) of or involving those now alive (esp. in living memory). [1]

locality. b. The locality in which they live. c. (As modifier): community spirit. 2. A group of people having cultural, religious, or other characteristics in common: the Protestant community. 3. A group of nations having certain interests in common. 4. The public; society. 5. Common ownership.

6. similarity or agreement: community of interests. [1]

Forest “This is quite a complex term with many mean-

ings. The dictionary would describe it as an area of land covered by trees. However, “there are also large tracts of treeless moors in Scotland called forests, and London, with a mere 20 percent tree coverage, is considered one, too. In England the word and concept originated with the Normans, who used it to describe land set aside as the king’s hunting grounds, which usually had a high density of tree”.

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[1] McLeod, W, T., 1987, The New Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus in one volume, William Collins & Co Ltd

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[2] Wood, P., (2019)

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

4. To arrange (a marriage) for; betroth. 5. A formal agreement between between two or more parties. 6. A document that states the terms of such an agreement. 7. The branch of law treating of contracts. 8. Marriage considered as a formal agreement. [1]

London is a Forest, Quadrille Publishing

[2]

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Experience of green spaces in London over a three year period, small selection of images

Figure 2. Photo outside the Saatchi Gallery N 52° 29’ 26.272” W 0 ° 9’ 31.706”

Figure 3. Kyoto Garden at Holland Park N, 51° 30’ 10.434” W 0 ° 12’ 17.415

Figure 4. BT Tower looking towards Regents Park N, 51° 31’ 17.178” W 0 °8’ 19.696”

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Figure 6. Inside the Barbican N 51° 31’ 12.54” W 0° 5’ 55.259”

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 5. Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich N 51° 28’ 56.329” W 0° 0’ 20.203”

Figure 7. Walking through Hyde Park N 51° 30’ 26.96” W 0° 9’ 43.939”

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Introduction Expansion & Contraction

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[1] Architects, Geyter, X, D., After - Sprawl research for the contemporary city, NAi publishers, p.11 [2] Statistics from Trust for London, London’s population over time,www.trustforlondon.org.uk

[3] Wood, P., 2019 London is a Forest, Quadrille Publishing, p.10

[4] Ellison, D, R., 2014, 47% per cent of London is green space, Independent

“The city is a machine that connects and disconnects. The city detaches people from their traditions, creating anonymity through reduced social control, and thus the freedom to be indifferent. In the modern world, the city is a shelter for anarchists, communists, socialists, gay men, lesbians, artists, feminists, the poor, migrants.” [1]

London could be described as alive, being a city filled with 8.9 million people [2] , from the bustling streets of Shoreditch to the historical landscapes of Greenwich.

London is seen by the people who live there as one of the most vibrant contemporary cities in the world. However, throughout my research and writing of this dissertation, I have discovered that London is alive in a completely different way than one might think. This ‘urban forest’ is home to a wide range of habitats, species and landscapes. This becomes clear when you stand at some of the city’s vantage points such as Severndroog Castle where Windsor, Wood Green and Highgate are all visible.

The urban forest has become so diverse in London because of the people who live there. “Just like every aspect of London, it has been shaped by waves of human migration, global trade, exploration and conflict. As a result, new plants and animals have arrived – and escaped – from the city over centuries” [3] . Of course, the architecture of the city has had a significant influence on the formation of green spaces, causing them to expand and contract over the last few centuries continuously.

To see these expanding and contracting borders of the urban forest across the city, we have to look from a satellite point of view, where the urban sprawl can be seen on a huge scale. Zooming in to look at how people live between buildings, it shows the urban forest covers 47 % of London.

[4] At this vantage point, you can see how a small number of green spaces can expand over time and also distinguish that the majority of them are contracting due to many factors, such as new developments and population growth.

This dissertation investigate which areas of London are deficit in green space and the reasons for this.

This dissertation will look at multiple examples of how our contemporary cities expand in different ways and how this might affect the living world within it. Looking at cities such as Rome and New York alongside London. This will give an indication of the geology, the architecture or how the built environment of a location will affect the amount of urban forest is left.

However, we can ask these questions; why does our city need so much green space when 47% of the city is already an urban forest? [5] How do these spaces value our community? These are the questions we find ourselves asking as London’s population has increased by 7.5% in five years with no sign of slowing down. [6] As the overcrowding intensifies, in our nation’s capital, why do these spaces with potentially no value benefit our modern way of life? Also, if cities can retain their green spaces, is it essential that there isn’t a deficit within the areas themselves and they are used to their full potential?

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[5] Ellison, D, R., 2014, 47% per cent of London is green space, Independent. Article titled ‘Is it time for our capital to become a national park?” based on the views of Daniel Raven-Ellison who believes that eight million people who live in London should view it is as Britain’s newest national park.

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[6] www.trustforlondon.org.uk/data/ London’s Population over time Figures taken from Trust for London which estimates that London is expected to expand by 600,000 people by the year 2021.

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[7] Wood, P., (2019) London is a Forest, Quadrille Publishing, p9

“London, according to one United Nations definition, is a forest. The city is home to over eight million trees, roughly one for every person, and enough for 20 per cent of the capital to be covered by tree canopy”. [7] Is this a clear indication that London’s green spaces have overrun the city?

Or in this current climate, are green spaces more critical than ever and should we look at expanding them instead of building atop them? These spaces can be more than just an open area for people within the city, these areas can be places of real value. One that educates about the living world, looks at how a city can develop into one that lives in tandem with nature and the benefits it brings. These spaces, throughout recent history, are continually expanding and contracting in terms of boundaries.

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

It will also aim to uncover these questions throughout by focusing on the anomaly within London that has managed to set standards repeatedly and has become a precedent by showing that living in a city does not have to be at odds with the living world.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

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[8] Evelyn, J., 1664 Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest- Trees and the Propagation of Timber, John Martyn for the Royal Society Sylva or a Discourse of Forest is seen as the first in depth study of UK trees, it made its first appearance in 1662. This gave Sayes Court a huge advantage when fighting to retain the area due to its rich history with a prolific landscape pioneer.

[9] Cole, D., 2014 National Trust Report – Sayes Court & John Evelyn, National Trust

[10] Cole, D., 2014 National Trust Report – Sayes Court & John Evelyn, National Trust

[11] Durston, N., 2014 National Trust, Sayes Court Website,

[12] Sayescourt.org.uk/ sayes-court/home

An example, which is a primary focus, in this dissertation is Sayes Court located in Deptford (51.48491, 0.03122).

Sayes Court has a rich history linked with the prolific Deptford resident – John Evelyn (1620 -1706) who is best known for ‘Sylva or a Discourse of Forest – Trees and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesty’s Dominions’ [8] .

Sayes Court was also associated with Octavia Hill who ‘wrote pamphlets ‘Space for the people’ in 1883 and ‘More Air for London’ in 1888’, she said: “I think we want four things (of our open space): places to sit, places to play; places to stroll in and places to spend the day in” [9] . It is known that Sayes Court was one of the reasons Hill, along with Hunter and Canon Rawsley, set up the organisation called ‘The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty’. More commonly known today as ‘The National Trust’, who still follow their founding ideals and believe in “a vision that has the power to articulate the ideals of the Trust in Deptford in the 21st century”. [10] The anomaly that is Sayes Court is the perfect case study for this dissertation as not only an example of green space that has expanded, but has long history shifts in size due to many defining factors. It is an area that has pushed the boundary of what a green space can be and has become a “resource for London with facilities for learning, innovation and joint working”. [11] Sayes Court links to the idea that if London wants more green spaces within the urban fabric then they must offer more to the local community.

In the following chapters, this dissertation aims to uncover how London’s urban forest borders are constantly shifting through relevant case studies and how a city’s growth can either have a positive or negative impact on this. The dissertation will focus on the ‘anomaly’ that is Sayes Court, an open space that has expanded and what it took to achieve this. It will focus on the deficiency of the urban forest in certain parts of London. Then linking back to Sayes Court as an example of how green space can be used efficiently and can educate future generations on conservation. In the later chapters, this dissertation will aim to speculate on how we will live our lives between buildings in the future and seek to link back to the idea that Sayes Court is built upon, that “we believe in a world where living in cities is not at odds with – but deepens and enriches our relationship with the living world”. [12]

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 8. ‘Power of six’ focusing into the Sayes Court and Convoy Wharf site. Showing the location in Deptford and relation to the River Thames. Images taken from ‘Google Earth’.

Figure 9. A map, produced by Greenspace Information for Greater London (Gigl.org.uk) for the proposed Greater London National Park, shows only rivers and green space. This clearly shows the density of the urban forest within London.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Figure 10. Illustrations on how green space can be shown, only showing green space and removing the majority of the urban environment. Geyter, X, D., (2002) After Sprawl – Research for the Contemporary City, NAi Publishers, p.28

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The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 11. Evelyn, John (1620-1706). Sylva, Or a discourse of Forest-Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesties Dominions. London: John Martyn and James Allestry, 1664. An important publication in the life of John Evelyn and what he is known for alongside Sayes Court.

Figure 12. Power of siz, showing urban sprawl in London from 1840 to 1929

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Chapter 2

Constant Contractions →→

[1] Shakespeare, W., 1597, Richard II

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[2] Hatton, E., 1708 A new view of London, R.Chiswell, A and J. Churchill

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[3] Gowan, T, T., 2001, The London Town Garden 1700 - 1840, Yale University Press

[4] Owen, J., 2014 Britain’s green space is at risk of rapid decline, Financial Times

[5] Geyter, X, D., 2002, After Sprawl - Research for the Contemporary City, NAi Publishers, p.156

[6] Geyter, X, D., 2002, After Sprawl - Research for the Contemporary City, NAi Publishers, p.156

“This other Eden, Demi-paradise, this fortress built by Nature for herself ”, which is a partial quote from William Shakespeare’s King Richard II (Act 2, Scene 1) described how London, as a city, was viewed in the 18th century. A city that flourished with life alongside architecture at the time. [1]

It has been recorded that in the 18th century London expanded both north and westwards. However, not just through means of architecture like other cities of the time.

Instead, there was an emphasis on open space. London was built upon the idea of the expanding city which might remain “verdant still, and flourish like the tree”. [2] At this time, St. Paul’s Cathedral was the geographical centre of London and the highest human-made point. From the centre, you could see more than twenty-two miles in circumference. However, when standing at the highest human-made point in the city, you could also notice a ‘vast mosaic of fields and farms’. Along with ‘interment sentinel’s, rows and clumps of trees, and dozens of large open spaces in form of ‘Quadrangles’ and ‘Trapeziums”. [3] Since this era of developing the urban forest has left us, the last five decades seem to have gained the legacy of ‘packem - in developments and Mines Bigger Than Yours skyscrapers’ [4] with the urban forest coming as an afterthought in most cases. In 2014 the Heritage Lottery Fund spoke out about public parks saying that “many parks are at serious risk of rapid decline and even being sold off and lost to the public forever”. This is counter to the principles of John Evelyn’s and his work at Sayes Court.

The reason for this was due to both the urban sprawl and physical growth of London that failed to consider its existing urban forest and viewed it instead as an economical resource. “There is no isolatable or unambiguous logic to London: it grew as a conglomerate of local and expansive centres. This is manifested in its polycentricity, in its dispersed urban fabric, and its social division”. [5] Urban sprawl occurred in the 19th and 20th century, when London turned into an industrial city. This physical growth came to an end after the First World War when other ideals began to spread the urban fabric of the city. This included ‘the retreat of the industry and the urbanisation of the production process’. [6] As London went through this significant change, developers began to see open space as a profit-making scheme. The city changed its image to

Due to this, the urban forest within London became an economical category, as it was used for new developments which in this era served the needs of the new global city. In 2000, the Mayor of London introduced the Greater London Authority (GLA) that intended to uniform 32 London boroughs and introduce a Spatial Development Strategy.

The House of Commons communities committee said in 2016 that parks were at a “tipping point’ and that ‘if the value of parks and their potential contribution are not recognised, then the consequences could be severe for some of the most important policy agendas facing our communities today.” [7]

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[7] Moore, Rowan., 2017 The end of parklife as we know it?, The Observer

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Figure 13. Photo from the Rotherhithe Picture Research Libary. St. Pauls still dominating the skyline, showing what used to be the highest human-made point in London.

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

a post-industrialised city by closing previously used docklands and decontamination was used to clean formerly industrialised areas. This began to attract entertainment facilities and urban dwellings through the 1960s and 1970s.

These included a series of significant housing developments in locations such as Battersea and from the Thames Barrier along towards city airport.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

This leads onto the concept of ‘Roma Interrotta’ as a way of designing a city, which avoids deficit in areas and aims to design the city as a whole. Where everything can be integrated through sections and tackles the idea of deficiency through designing for people.

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[8] Delbeke, M., 2011 Roma Interrotaa: The Urbs that is not a Capital, Igitur Publishing p.37

[9] Delbeke, M., 2011 Roma Interrotaa: The Urbs that is not a Capital, Igitur Publishing p.39

In 1978 an Italian architect Piero Sartogo along with eleven other architects were invited to design a ‘New Rome based on the historical nucleus’. [8] This was to look at a way of conceiving a city that already had a long history of urban sprawl and how architects could tackle the issues it faced.

The project was named Roma Interrotta that translated into Rome Interrupted. Each architect was assigned a sheet to design a fictional sector for part of Rome based off Noli’s famous ‘Nuova painta di Roma’(1748) printing plates.

“At the same time every proposal invites comparison with a real counterpart in contemporary Rome, not only in terms of practical solutions for particular issues of urban development but also with regard to the role that architecture and urbanism could play in the city. Such comparison would be motivated by the notion that Rome as well as Roman architecture and urbanism turned into something fundamentally different when the city became the capital of Italy”. [9] This is a critical case study for this dissertation as it describes visually, how a city with such historical significance can be designed and conceived in twelve different ways.

However, this case study brings such depth and could easily be an entire dissertation in itself as Roma was ‘a criticism of Roman developments in the nineteenth and twentieth-century’ and the twelve sectors aimed to have a closer look at what the problem of Rome consisted.

The work of Piero Sartogo and eleven other architects have many comparisons to the urban sprawl of London previously noted in the 1960s and 1970s. When Rome became the capital of Italy in 1870 there was rapid population growth which lead to a need for new architecture. After industrialisation in London, there was also rapid population growth which also led to a need for new urban dwellings.

It offers a way in which we can view cities such as London, that have a large historical past in a new light.

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The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 14. Capital prospect... A 1721 painting by William Grimbaldson showing the view from Hermes House in Canonbury, North London. Illustrating the scale of green space within London at this time.

Figure 15. Roma Interrotta. Overview of the twelve projects (taken from Nolli, Vasi, Piranesi.

Immagine di Roma Antica e Moderna, a cura di M. Bevilacqua, Roma, Artemide, 2004)

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Figure 16. Photo from the Rotherhithe Picture Research Libary - View of Devonshire Square in Stow’s Survey of London, 1754, engraved by Sutton Nicholls

Figure 17. Photo from the Rotherhithe Picture Research Libary - Deptford, 1995

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The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 18. Photo from the Rotherhithe Picture Research Libary - London Garden 1995

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Chapter 3 The Anomaly →→

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[1] Vaizey, E., Minister for culture, communications and creative industries quotation, sayescourt.org

[2] Sayescourt.org.uk/ sayes-court/home

[3] Deptford Supply Reserve Depot. Skeleton record plan, LtCol F E Buller, 1935

“This heritage jewel that sits at the heart of our great capital city” [1]

This chapter aims to look at the anomaly that is Sayes Court - something that doesn’t fit with the regular pattern of London’s green spaces. A space that has gone through many changes in its borders from war requisitions in the early 20th century to the present day and the work of ‘Deptford Is’...

This hidden gem located in South East London has a very long history; the ideas that originated from this location in the 17th and 19th century are still used today, such as educating people on nature, planting trees and the ideals of using sustainable resources. John Evelyn acquired the park through the marriage of Mary Browne, and when he returned, after being abroad for many years, he brought back a new interpretation of the garden from Europe. One where it was more than just a pleasant place, ‘it was a tool for thought, a living laboratory and an act of creation, with the new evergreens which Evelyn introduced representing an eternal spring’. [2] Along with the rich history, Sayes Court also has a history of continually shifting borders through many different factors which is the main topic of this dissertation. This can be seen through historic overlays from 1653 to 2011.

A key example of the contracting of Sayes Court is seen in 1916 when two-thirds of the park was requisitioned for the war effort. This was due to the fact that Deptford Dockyard was brought back into service and used as a critical supply depot, which meant even more land was required. All but 1 1/2 acres, which were protected by WJ Evelyn, were taken back by the Dockyard and never returned. This, along with World War Two bombings specifically around 1941, meant that Sayes Court contracted significantly from its original size when it was acquired by John Evelyn. [3] However, in 1951 the park did reopen with a new playground, and due to the bombed houses on Grove Street, it made an extension for the park possible causing the park to expand in unforeseen circumstances. These circumstances make Sayes Court an anomaly located within the city in a park that has actually expanded over the course of many years.

Which brings us to the present day with the Sayes Court project, where Sayes Court is still a public park alongside its rich history that connected it to John Evelyn and the National Trust. Furthermore, there are plans in place for the future, which includes the development of Convoys Wharf that will add 2 acres of the garden alongside 3,500 new homes. [4] This leads onto the work of the ‘Deptford Is’ movement, which started due to a meeting of local people who wanted “to seize the long-awaited opportunity of redevelopment at Convoys Wharf, to bring something of real value to everyone”. [5] They have since protected the site of the garden, educated the local community on the historical significance of it and had a considerable part to play in the designs of the new Convoys Wharf.

As mentioned earlier, London has 47% of its land taken up by the urban forest, but the more revealing statistic is that only 18% of London’s green spaces are accessible to the public. [6] The people behind the ‘Deptford Is’ movement believe this park could offer something unique to the city.

‘Encompassing education and training as well as a cultural centre and flagship for innovation in urban horticulture and landscape’. [7]

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[4] Sumner, C., 2013, Comment Letter on the Convoys Wharf Development, The Gardens Trust and the London Parks and Gardens Trust

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[5] Sayescourt.org.uk/ sayes-court/home

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[6] www.gigl.org.uk, GIGL, 2017 data and statistics

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[7] Sayescourt.org.uk/ sayes-court/home

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

However, in 1951 the park did reopen with a new playground, and due to the bombed houses on Grove Street, it made an extension for the park possible causing the park to expand in unforeseen circumstances. These circumstances make Sayes Court an anomaly located within the city in a park that has actually expanded over the course of many years.

Through an interview with Roo Angel, who leads a team of volunteers alongside Bob Bagley, it was clear that their work is not yet done with aims of expanding the park even further into the subsequent stages of the project, through the use of maps showing how the park was requisitioned for the war effort, as mentioned earlier. As green space has a lot to do when taking up space where developments could take up, which is why Sayes Court and Convoys Wharf is an important project as it aims to keep the spirit of what Sayes Court was founded, whilst designed to accommodate lots of activity.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Another critical topic discussed, with Roo, was the concept of green spaces needing a voice as they cannot speak for themselves. Which in terms is what the ‘Deptford Is’ movement brings to Sayes Court, a community that can stand behind a precious public space and protect it for future generations. In Sayes Court position, building new homes and space for shops makes sense but only if it protects the existing urban forest. If the ‘Deptford Is’ movement was not there, then this historic landmark could have been lost forever and to the detriment of the local community.

Throughout our interview, we discussed the topic of Sayes Court becoming a precedent for the future on which other projects of the same nature can follow.

In terms of this dissertation, Sayes Court is seen as an anomaly due to the work that has undergone here, a story of a community that believed in a shared goal, one in retaining part of Deptford connects to a large part of the community. However, through the interview with Roo it became clear that Sayes Court as being an example for the future, was so much more than making an open space expand. It became clear that the most crucial factor in green spaces was the deficiency within them. Including adding facilities that encourage learning, better access to open spaces and integrating these areas completely within the urban fabric.

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[8] Russell, C., 2019 London’s green spaces aren’t reaching their full potential, City Metric

“Local communities need to be enabled to play an integral role in keeping London’s green spaces open, safe, and attractive for everyone”. [8] As green spaces are what makes London so unique, participation by the local community or new developments in areas rich in open space that partner with local groups such as ‘Deptford Is’ could dramatically reduce deficiency in these areas of the urban forest.

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[9] Cole, D., 2014 National Trust Report – Sayes Court & John Evelyn, National Trust p. 4

“Sayes Court garden was not simply an elaborate and interesting garden, but the place where Evelyn (tested) plants that would turn English gardens into a ‘ver perpetuum’ perpetual spring (using evergreens)”. [9] →→ Figure 21. The remains of the Sayes Court Manor house. Investigations at Deptford Dockyard, it will remain a part of the site, when the Convoys Wharf Development is finished.

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Figure 20. John Evelyn’s original plans of Sayes Court when he aquired it in 1652

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 19. Photo within Sayes Court Park

Figure 21.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Figure 22. Top Garden Plan for Sayes Court - John Evelyn, Bottom, proposed plan of London after the 1666 fire.

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The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 23. David Kohn Architects: Sayes Court Garden, A new centre for horticulture and landscape urbanism in Deptford

Figure 24. David Kohn Architects: Sayes Court Garden, diagram showing ideals that need to be part of the project. Diagramatic response that links to the design process.

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Chapter 4 The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

The Deficit →→

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[1] Architects, Geyter, X, D., 2002, AfterSprawl research for the contemporary city, NAi publishers p.21

[2]www.gigl.org.uk, GIGL, 2017 Areas of Deficiency in Access to Nature

[3] Mayor of London, 2016 London Plan, Greater London Authority

“Chaos has no place in the domain of architecture and urban planning.

But complex form of order, subject to processes and laws that are still unfamiliar”. [1]

Through research for this dissertation, it became clear that the real issue London faced when it came to green space was a deficiency. This covers a variety of points including the “maximum distance residents should have to travel to access a Public Open Space. Areas outside of these distances are classified as areas of deficiency”. [2] It is important to map these deficient areas of London because it allows Local Councils to look at open space provision. Local councils need to reduce deficiency in regard to the access to these spaces due to the recently implemented ‘London Plan’. [3] That states that Local Councils should reduce deficiency in terms of access. For this to happen, they need access to information such as what areas are deficient and what causes this. It is possible to reduce deficiency by adding more sites where possible or expanding the borders of existing sites. Quality could also be improved by implementing local walking pathways or adding better access, such as adding gates.

By mapping London in critical sections, unbiased data can be taken to see where true deficiency actually lies. All types of public open space can be viewed including regional parks, metropolitan parks, local parks, small open spaces, pocket parks and linear open spaces. This can help tackle the unutilised areas of land that could bring the urban forest closer to residents. An example of this outside of London is Paley Park, which is located in Manhattan discussed in the chapter on living our lives between buildings.

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[4] www.gigl.org.uk, GIGL, London – Lambeth and Southwark

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[5] Chumleigh Gardens located in South London (N 51 ° 29’ 0.536” W 0 ° 5’ 2.409”)

London has many green spaces giving local residents access to nature across the city; however, there are still areas that have a significant density of deficiency. An example of this is in places such as Lambeth and Southwark [4] , where people have to walk in excess of one kilometre to be in an area of nature. The closest large-scale park to these areas is Burgess Park which does in some way tackle deficiency by including Chumleigh Gardens [5] and sports fields, the aim is to encourage local residents to use this urban forest in a different way.

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[6] www.gigl.org.uk, GIGL, Access to nature

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Figure 25. To the left showing how walking distances to green spaces can be mapped.

To the right, access points to green spaces and where they are located in regards to the street.

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Figure 26. Image showing BedZED development located in South London.

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[7] Schoon, N., 2016, The BedZED story, Bioregional Development Group

The main risk of London not tackling this deficiency will lead to significant contractions of the borders of our urban forest. The visions for the built environment that came around in the 18th century, of a city where the living world was always present, will unfortunately decline. This is why green space needs to offer something back to people.

On one side, there have been attempts at merging the urban fabric with green spaces such as BedZED. BedZED blends urban living with an abundance of green space, located near Beddington Farmlands in South London. It also promotes the use of local materials as 52% of them were sourced within a 35-mile radius and giving unused land a new life in a sustainable way.

These projects do offer hope for the future; however, they have failed to catch on throughout the capital. This is due to factors such as building costs, buying costs (house prices in BedZED are 5% - 10% more expensive than the same size houses in the same area) and the majority of developer’s unwillingness to change. [7]

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

This leads directly onto ‘The Greenspace Information for Greater London’ (GIGL) who record London’s environmental data and measure deficiency on walking distances to the nearest entry point of open space. This includes factors such as walking distances around the borders and blocking easy access due to railway lines or busy main roads with no crossing points. [6]

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Projects such as this also come with a need for space, as most often they are pushed to the periphery of London where the city meets the agricultural border. This does not help with population densities within the urban city and using the open space we have in an effective way, similar to the ones put forward in Sayes Court and the Convoys Wharf development.

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[8] Multipul Authors,Section 106 Agreement, 2015, relating to Convoys Wharf, Prince Street, London SE8 3JH, Convoys Properties Limited

[9] Saskia, W, d., 2018, Hidden Landscapes: Architecture & Nature, A&NP, p.285

In most cases, when it comes to urban planning in a city such as London, low paid people often have to fight headon with influential developers that have all the money on one side of the table. This means it is unlikely that we are going to find new open spaces appearing in London or exciting ones expanding in size - as it is not where the money lies. Therefore, making it even more vital that we protect what we already have and make our urban forest something radically different.

This is where Sayes Court links back to this idea of accessibility being a factor within deficiency and designing for exclusion. When looking at the ‘Section 106 agreement’ [8] for Sayes Court and Convoys Wharf, there is a clear indication that it has been designed in a way that reduces deficiency such as clear borders to the site, improved cycle networks, pedestrian circulation throughout the development and defining clearly both private open space and protected areas of land.

When designing Sayes Court, every aspect of the area was tackled, while focusing on retaining key feature such as the Thames Path by finding alternative ways through the protected areas. This, therefore, means it becomes a green space which is completely ingrained with the community’s consciousness [9] — leading to further involvement from local residents, better management and the legacy of an historic place that will last for future generations.

However, to remove deficiency in these green spaces, much like Sayes Court is currently doing, it takes a group of residents who know that open space is not about profit-making. Instead, it is about a place that can offer an oasis to people looking to learn more about the living world and develop new strategies on how we all might live between buildings in the future.

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[10] Durston, N., National Trust, quotation Sayes Court Website

“We believe that a new garden and building has great potential to become a continuation of the aspirations and motivations of the National Trust’s founders...a resource for London with facilities for learning, innovation and joint working”. [10]

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 27. Map showing ares of Deficiency in access to Local, Small and Pocket Parks across London.

Figure 28. Map showing a key area that has a deficiency of access to local, small and pocket parks between Lambeth and Southward. Identifying metrapolitan importance, local importance and areas of deficiency.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Figure 29. Images of the Convoys Wharf Development, top showing specified areas of the site, bottom image shwoing how pedestrian access is implemented within the site. Reducing deficency through means of access and walkways through the site - implementing it within the city.

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The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Figure 30. BedZED, top image aims and ambitions of the project for a sustainable future. Bottom image, exterior photo of BedZED project.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Chapter 5 Life Between Buildings →→

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[1] Gehl, J., 2006 Life Between Buildings, using public space, The Danish Architectural Press, p.31

[2] Saskia, W, d., 2018 Hidden Landscapes: Architecture & Nature, A&NP, p.285

[3] www.london. gov.uk/what-we-do/ planning/london-plan Defining the Pocket Park

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[4] The Commissioners Plan of 1811, for New York City

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[5] Foucault, M., 1967 Of Other Spaces: Utopias and Heterotopias, Mouvement/ Continuité, p.6

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[6] Saskia, W, d., 2018, Hidden Landscapes: Architecture & Nature, A&NP, p.285

“Life between buildings is discussed here because the extent and character of outdoor activities are greatly influenced by physical planning. Just as it is possible through choice of materials and colours to create a certain palette in a city, it is equally possible through planning decisions to influence patterns of activities, to create a better or worse condition for outdoor events, and to create lively or lifeless cities.” [1]

This dissertation has spoken about how London’s urban forest is declining, the anomaly of Sayes Court and how we might tackle deficiency in open space in the future. For the final chapter, it is important to speculate how open space will be used in the near future. A current example being Paley Park, which is a pocket park located in Midtown Manhattan. [2] It felt important to include a case study outside the boundaries of London, to compare and contrast how different urban environments approach the idea of designing landscape architecture.

The Mayor of London and the London Assembly define a pocket park as “small areas of open space that provide natural surfaces and shaded areas for informal play and passive recreation that sometimes have seating and play equipment”. [3] As Manhattans urban fabric is not distinguished by factors such as squares or public buildings, but instead through surfaces of land that can be bought or sold on the open market. In the commissioner’s plan laid out in 1811, only a few open spaces were included, it was said: “public places, parks, and any other allocations that remove land from the market are clearly seen as a waste of a profit-producing resource” [4], which has similarities to London during the 1960s and 1970s as mentioned earlier in the dissertation where open spaces were seen as wasted opportunity and would not produce a profit.

“The garden is the smallest parcel of the world, and then it is the totality of the world”. [5] Since Paley Park was transformed into the garden it is now, the quality of the space altered in the minds of the local residents. From an overlooked empty space to one that “retained a space outside the formal structures of the city”. [6]

Figure 31. Photo of Paley Park looking inwards to the water feature where people can shelter from the busy streetscape can find refuge.

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Figure 32. Photo of Paley Park looking out towards the streetscape.

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Figure 33. Long section of Paley Park showing heirachy of space of a park that sits between the dense urban fabric.

Looking at how pocket parks might be used more in the future.

Figure 31.

Figure 32.

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

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Figure 33.

To compare this case study to Sayes Court would be difficult as they are from very different types of land. However, they are both located within major cities and follow the same ideals. Both projects aim to remove deficiencies from open space, with Sayes Court it is to educate the community on landscape history whereas with Paley Park it can be as simple as a place that offers an area of shade with some seating.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

When speculating the future of our open spaces in London, it is impossible to ignore ‘Privately Owned Public Spaces’ or POPS. These spaces at first may appear to look public, however these are spaces that are owned (and maintained) by developers or the owner of the residential building that usually lies next to it. These spaces include areas such as small parks or city squares.

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[7] www.gigl.org.uk, 2017, Privately Owned Public Space

[8] Michael, Chris., 2007, Revealed: the insidious creep of pseudo-public space in London, The Guardian

[9] Blenford, A., 2019, London Property Prices, U.K Land Registry, Bloomberg Reporting

[10] Smit, T., 2014 Co-Founder of the Eden Project, quotation from Sayes Court Website

“The POPS may also be a hiatus space, accommodating the passing user for a brief stop only - for example, it may include seating but few other amenities, a circulation space, designed to improve a pedestrian’s journey from A to B, or a marginal space, which whilst a public space is not very accommodating and experiences low levels of usage”. [7] A vital example of this in London today is outside City Hall located on the South Bank near Tower Bridge, which is managed by ‘More London’ and has a very strict policy of secrecy that doesn’t allow reporters to interview on-site, protestors or even photography. Sian Berry said back in 2017 that “This culture of secrecy on the part of landowners is scary”...” being able to know what rules you are being governed by, and how to challenge those rules, is a fundamental part of living in a democracy”. [8] However, private landowners bring lots of money to developments and can often result in beautifully designed green spaces located next to new architecture. One that doesn’t lack in deficiency but instead is well maintained and can often connect two parts of the city through new walkways.

With land prices rising in London, especially in the “centre of the city with a + 0.9% increase in price from last year it looks like these types of open spaces will appear more and more”. [9] But these spaces do not often involve local communities such as what is currently happening at Sayes Court. This creates a place that doesn’t make sense of community, there is no pride in the area, and it loses its historical value, which is why “Sayes Court is a chance to do something unique, exciting and urgently needed”. [10]

The point is, for an urban forest to survive throughout the generations, it can’t do it alone. This is shown at Sayes Court as it has survived for 400 years, through a variety of methods. All the way to the present day where the ‘Deptford Is’ movement has worked extremely hard to retain the founding ideals of Sayes Court. Throughout writing this dissertation, it has become clear what the most critical factors of the urban forest are - to reduce the deficiency and develop a strong relationship with the living world for the people who live around these spaces. A place that can educate a future generation and not somewhere that is seen as a profit-making machine.

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Figure 34. Photo of the ‘More London’ development with London City Hall designed by Foster + Partners

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Figure 35. Map of Privately Owned Open Spaces within the City of London. The pop Profiler, by Casa student Oliver Dawkins.

Recorded in January 2014

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

This leads onto the idea of the strong sense of community that is needed to make a green space last throughout many generations. When John Evelyn acquired Sayes Court in 1652, he may have unintentionally set this in motion as Sayes Court was used for his experiments on pollution in London where he argued that planting trees would clean the toxic air that covered the city at the time. This was centuries before it was discovered there was such a thing as a carbon cycle.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Conclusion Lessons Learnt from Sayes Court

“We all came out of this parsley bed” Quote from Evelyn’s Diary [1] →→

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[1] Evelyn, J., 1818, John Evelyn’s Diary, Everyman; New Ed edition (27 Jan. 2006)

[2] Wood, P., 2019 London is a Forest, Quadrille Publishing, p.9

[3]www.gigl.org. uk, 2017, Areas of Deficiency in Access to Nature

When one thinks of London as a city, it is hard to imagine it without its urban forest at the forefront. For a lot of people who live in London, it is what makes it so appealing as a city. At the start of this dissertation, the words ‘London is alive’ was used to describe how London is perceived as a city and can be seen as being alive in many different ways. I can conclude, this short statement could never be truer after the researching and writing of this dissertation. It talks about the urban forest within London linking the variety of species and animals that call this city home and also the community it takes to retain these green spaces.

“From Hampstead Heath, the rolling greens of Greenwich or the small quadrangular spaces located near Sommers Town. We use these spaces for refuge within the bustle of the cityscape, a place that allows us to contemplate, think and rest in the dense metropolis”. [2] The urban forest is part of London’s rich history, hallmarks of a time when people believed that living in a city did not have to be at odds with the living world. A place where future generations could be educated, form a community and learn more about a sustainable future. This is what a green space is for a city and we do not want to see them lost forever.

The aim of this dissertation, as stated in the abstract, was to investigate how the borders of London’s urban forest both expanded and contracted from the 15th century up to present day. However, throughout the research, interviews and the writing of the dissertation it became something much more than defining green space as size. It quickly became clear throughout the interview with Roo that the more pressing issue was deficiency in the urban forest. That led onto more ideas of what deficiency consists of when it comes to terms of the urban forest in London. As stated in the dissertation, GIGL defines deficiency as “as areas where people have to walk more than one kilometre to reach an accessible wildlife Site of Metropolitan or Borough Importance”. [3]

During interviews and research for this dissertation Sayes Court has once again become a place for research and looking at sustainable development for the future. Through the work of ‘Deptford Is’ it feels like Sayes Court is the closest to original ideals of what John Evelyn back when he acquired it in 1652. This dissertation has also taken the idea of the urban forest forward, focusing not on scale but instead on the potential these open spaces bring. From discussing the values of landscape architecture within London during the 18th century, and the need to develop alongside the urban environment, to the excess of the 1960s and 70s where open space was seen as a profit-making exercise, with no real value to the community. Moving forward to Rome Interrupted (1978) that shared many similarities with London today as it focused on reimagining a city with a long history of urban sprawl and how architects could design with such difficult parameters.

Then looking at Sayes Court with its constantly shifting borders through many generations and its different uses.

Interviews with Roo Angel, that concluded with the idea of deficiency within green space as a more important topic than expanding and contracting borders. As this became the actual ‘anomaly’ of Sayes Court, where they are moving towards an area that has no deficiency and a project that fully integrates within the local community.

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[4] Waterson, Merlin., National Trust, 2014

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

This is why a project such as Sayes Court is so valuable to the local residents of Deptford, not only because of the deficit it is currently working to eradicate but because it has set a precedent for which future projects can learn from.

Merlin Waterson of the National Trust said; “It would be hard to conceive of a property which encompassed so many of the future purposes of the National Trust. The garden was of exceptional importance, the historical associations fascinating, and it was a valuable open space in the heart of London Docks” [4] which describes Sayes Court in a clean and concise way. An area that brings value.

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Next, it was important that the dissertation spoke a large part about ‘The Deficit’ especially after the interview. When it came to deficiency one of the key points that was mentioned in the beginning of chapter four was the importance of mapping London’s deficiency of green space. In writing this part, it made sense to look at maps of these areas that showed deficiency as it was a way of allowing local councils to see where more green spaces were needed. Or if a space needed to be improved, through new pathways or other means. That led onto the next part which argued the idea that if there was open space in a specific community than it had to be easily accessible. Looking at areas including Lambeth and Southwark which according to the GIGL have a deficiency of open space. Bringing in the example of BedZED which aimed to create a sustainable living environment but had many pitfalls including expensive living costs and I believe lacked where Sayes Court aims to achieve. Which is the idea of a strong sense of community that is tied in with a rich history.

The ending chapter then speculating how we might live our lives within the urban fabric of the city. Living life between buildings, looking at cases study’s such as Paley Park and the use of pocket parks, that can reuse undesired pieces of land in the city that serves no purpose. This then links back to the key idea of deficiency within the dissertation and using land to its full potential, in tandem with the community. Next, an idea about how land in the future may be privately owned and how this may help with deficiency but can lead to a number of issues, including the secrecy behind who owns what and the emptiness it feels like when using these spaces. It is more important that our green spaces come with a sense of pride and helps educate future generations about sustainability. Concluding the chapter with the main concept that arose constantly throughout research and writing, that was the strong sense of community involved with the urban forest. Discussing how we view the urban forest within London and what it needs in the future to remain a vital part of the city.

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[5] Ellis, C, W., 1928, England and the Octopus Council for the Protection of Rural England; Facsimile of first edition (1 Dec. 1996)

“We are at the beginning of our lease, not the end of it - a long lease from nature, who, though a kindly landlord enough, is slow to repair the damage done by her vandal tenants”. [5]

“This is the story of Sayes Court so far: twice glorious, twice lost and now twice saved; what will be next for this remarkable place? The gardens intrinsic values are more important than ever, and now as it embarks on its third age we have the opportunity to make it a more innovative, inspiring and world-changing than ever before”. [6] For the residents of South London, and especially Deptford this project offers so much. It shows “a world where living in cites is not at odds with - but deepens and enriches our relationship with the living world”. [7]

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[6] Sayescourt.org.uk/ sayes-court/home

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[7] Sayes Court main quotation

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

It is clear throughout this dissertation that Sayes Court is the main focus and the meaning of the word anomaly changes constantly regarding Sayes Court. At the start, I wrote Sayes Court being an anomaly in terms of an open space that has expanded through generations of people owning it. A place that contracting by two thirds due to war requisition and then 30 years later expanded onto Grove Street because of bomb damage. With plans of expanding in the future throughout the Convoys Wharf development. However, it became clear that the anomaly regards more to deficiency and an open space that has already tackled this. Also aiming to remove it completely in the future through the ‘Deptford Is’ movement and the upcoming Convoys Wharf development. To avoid this deficiency, they aim to use the local community, heritage value of the National Trust, the royal horticultural society with access to the main high street and the Thames Path. Whilst retaining the ruins of the Manor House located on the site that can be used to educate future generations.

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Bibliography Books Gehl, J., (2006) Life Between Buildings, The Danish Architectural Press Geyter, X, D., (2002) After Sprawl – Research for the Contemporary City, NAi Publishers Soissons, M, d., (1998) Welwyn Garden City: A Town designed for Healthy Living, Cambridge University Press Wood, P., (2019) London is a Forest, Quadrille Publishing Saskia, W, d., (2018) Hidden Landscapes: Architecture & Nature, A&NP Gowan, T, T., (2001) The London Town Garden Kayden, J, S., (2000) Privately Owned Public Space The New York Experience, The New York City Department of City Planning, and the Municipal Art Society of New York, John Wiley & Sons McLeod, W, T., (1987) The New Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus in one volume, William Collins & Co Ltd Hatton, E., (1708) A New View of London, R.Chiswell, A and J.Churchill Ellis, C, W., (1996) England and the Octopus, Council for the Protection of Rural England; Facsimile of first edition (1 Dec 1996) Delbeke, M., (2011) Roma Interrotta: The Urbs that is not a Capital, Igitur Publishing Foucault, M., (1967) Of Other Spaces: Utopias and Heterotopias, Mouvement/ Continuité

Reports Cole, D., 2014 National Trust Report – Sayes Court & John Evelyn, National Trust Section 106 Agreement relating to Convoys Wharf, Prince Street, London SE8 3JH (May 2015) Harvard Design School Comment Letter on the Convoys Wharf Development (March 2014) National Trust Report – Sayes Court & John Evelyn Assessed by Dominic Cole, for and on behalf of the National Trust (February 2014)

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Websites

www.ft.com/content/681891a8-13ec-11e4-b46f-00144feabdc0 www.citymetric.com/fabric/london-s-green-spaces-aren-t-reaching-their-full-potential-4714 https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/current-london-plan/londonplan-chapter-seven-londons-living-spac-20

Other Interview with Roo Angel, the co-creator of the recent Sayes Court Project Rortherhithe Picture Reserach Gallery

List of Image Figures Figure 1. Sayes Court and Deptford Dockyard Historic Map Overlays sayescourt.org.uk/ sayes-court/about-us/resources?authuser=0 Figure 2 - 7. Photo’s of London’s green spaces, 2016 - 2019 Figure 8. Power of Six, Google Earth Pro, 2018 Figure 9. www.independent.co.uk/environment/47-per-cent-of-london-is-green-space-is-ittime-for-our-capital-to-become-a-national-park-9756470.html

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

www.researchgate.net/publication/291224722_Roma_Interrotta_The_Urbs_that_is_not_a_ Capital

Figure 10. Geyter, X, D., (2002) After Sprawl – Research for the Contemporary City, NAi Publishers, p.28 Figure 11. www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot Figure 12. Urban sprawl 1840-1929.Greater London Plan. ABERCROMBIE, 1944 map Figure 13. Rotherhithe Picture Research Library Archive Figure 14. www.tlg-landscape.co.uk/workspace/uploads/press-articles/london-town-gardenreview-001-5231ef244512b.pdf Figure 15. Delbeke, M., (2011) Roma Interrotta: The Urbs that is not a Capital, Igitur Publishing Figure 16. Rotherhithe Picture Research Library Archive, view of Devonshire Square

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Figure 17. Rotherhithe Picture Research Library Archive, Deptford, 1995

The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Figure 18. Rotherhithe Picture Research Library Archive, London Garden 1995 Figure 19. www.chelseafringe.com/event/the-legacy-of-john-evelyn-and-the-future-at-sayescourt-deptford/ Figure 20. www.spacehive.com/sayes-court Figure 21. www.glias.org.uk/journals/11-b.html Figure 22. Cole, D., 2014 National Trust Report – Sayes Court & John Evelyn, National Trust Figure 23. davidkohn.co.uk/projects/sayes-court-gardens Figure 24. davidkohn.co.uk/projects/sayes-court-gardens Figure 25. www.gigl.org.uk/open-spaces/ (Maps, showing data and statistics) Figure 26. www.bioregional.com/projects-and-services/case-studies/bedzed-the-uks-firstlarge-scale-eco-village Figure 27. www.gigl.org.uk/open-spaces/ (Maps, showing data and statistics) Figure 28. www.gigl.org.uk/open-spaces/ (Maps, showing data and statistics) Figure 29. Section 106 Agreement for Convoys Wharf, FARRELS, 2015 (Top and Bottom) Figure 30. www.bioregional.com/projects-and-services/case-studies/bedzed-the-uks-firstlarge-scale-eco-village Figure 31. tclf.org/landscapes/paley-park Figure 32. tclf.org/landscapes/paley-park Figure 33. walternieuwlandtla.wordpress.com, Paley Section, Landscape Architecture Student Figure 34. www.the-shard.com/london-bridge/more-london/ Figure 35. Dawkins, Oliver., 2014 Image: Pops Profiler

Word Count: 6,571 not including footnotes and endnotes

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Appendix

RESEARCH METHOD STATEMENT / 31.10.2019 / Topographical Projects of London

Reimagined title: The continuing contracting and expanding green spaces located south of the River Thames from Greenwich to London Bridge and the positives and negatives this brings to the wider community, with a primary focus on Sayes Court and the work of ‘Deptford Is…’ In London, green spaces offer a sense of connection between communities and become a place that enriches our relationship with the living world. These spaces are continually expanding and contracting throughout history due to many political, environmental and social reasons. This dissertation aims to uncover the continually shifting borders in London’s green spaces. What they are being used for and how local people are demanding change in this modern world with the ever-increasing threat of climate change.

The work that has undergone at Sayes Court is one incredible story of a community fighting for space which for them brings a sense of connection, humanity and transcendence. Their goal – to create a place where anyone can come from to explore, educate and advocate. A place where people can learn about the living world in their community in a place that has an incredibly rich history.

Sayes Court, Deptford • The ‘Deptford Is’ Movement – started from a spontaneous meeting of a group of local people with an idea of protecting the historic Sayes Court.

• A new kind of garden – cultural center, educational resource and part research lab.

• International significance as a site of horticultural innovation • The Sayes Court Team successfully lobbied the World Monuments Fund to place Sayes Court on their 2014 At Risk Register ‘Forever, for everyone’. The motto of the National Trust, whose origins are found at Sayes Court.

Convoys Wharf Development – an opposing argument (Farrell’s)

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

Initial Ideas of Dissertation • The symbolism of Green Spaces from Greenwich to London Bridge along the Thames • Including green spaces such as Southwark Park, Russia Dock Woodland, King Edward VII Memorial Park, Ropemakers Fields.

• Significance/ Location/ Dimension/ Size/ Orientation.

• The recent history behind each location and park.

• How London can retain its green spaces in this future climate and towards a greener London for its residents

Russia Dock Woodland, Rotherhithe • Former site of the Rotherhithe docks in 1970 to present day • Was originally used to import timber from Norway, Russia and Sweden • Still contains surviving dock features including the retaining wall capstones and mooring chains.

• The dissertation will focus on how rapidly this green space expanded and what advantages/ disadvantages this brought to the local community.

Research Topics; • Expanding and Contracting green spaces • Sayes Court, Deptford • Russia Dock Woodland • The idea of public owned space • Politics behind the conservation of green spaces How I will carry out my research • In-depth interviews with the creators of Sayes Court • Retrieving archival maps showing the movement of green spaces • Visiting/ photographing the site: Sayes Court • Speaking to local community helpers involved with the project

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

Dissertation Layout 1.

Title - The continuing contracting and expanding green spaces located south of the River Thames from Greenwich to London Bridge and the positives and negatives this brings to the wider community. With a primary focus on Sayes Court and the work of ‘Deptford is…’

2.

Table of Contents 3.

Introduction – Expanding and Contracting 4.

Chapter 1 – The ‘Deptford Is’ … movement 5.

Chapter 2 – How expanding and contracting borders of green spaces can have a significant impact for the local communities surrounding them.

6. Conclusion 7. Bibliography Primary Sources • Interview with Bob Bagley and Roo Angell who are the creators of Sayes Court • Attend the meetings with local residents for the community group ‘Deptford is…’

• Visit Sayes Court in Deptford and talk to local volunteers Secondary Sources & Early Bibliography • National Trust Report on Sayes Court and John Evelyn • The Council of British Archaeology (Comment Letter on the Convoys Wharf Development, Dec 2013) • The Naval Dockyard Society (Comment Letter on the Convoys Wharf Development, Dec 2013) • Archival maps of Deptford, Rotherhithe and Bermondsey • Images of England, Greenwich by Barbara Ludlow • Harvard Design School (Comment Letter on the Convoys Wharf Development (March 2014) UPDATED RESEARCH METHOD STATEMENT / 03.12.2019 / • Notes - Word Count does not include Footnotes and Endnotes - At least 1 Illustration per point or photographic evidence - Small conclusion at the end of each paragraph - Large Abstract with starting quote + Page of key words - Sayes Court must have a common theme throughout the dissertation •

Title - The Urban Anomaly (Working Title)

• Sub-Title - A dissertation focusing on the continuing contracting and expanding green spaces located south of the River Thames from Greenwich to London Bridge and the positives and negatives this brings to the wider community.

(Other Sub Title – Contracting and expanding green spaces within the contemporary city) •

Focus Point - With a primary focus on Sayes Court and the work of ‘Deptford is…’

Quote before Abstract “We believe in a world where living in cities is not at odds with — but deepens and enriches our relationship with the living world.” - Sayes Court • Abstract This dissertation intends to look at how London’s green spaces both expand and contract over time, to see if there is a way, in this modern world, to make our cities co-exist with the living world. Throughout this investigation, one key example stood out more than any other as being a place of significant change, one that has challenged and set standards repeatedly. The example being, Sayes Court which is the main focus of the dissertation as it has become an urban anomaly for being an example of a green space that expanded (due to the people who are involved in the project and its long history of initiating change).

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Mark Laird (Senior Lecturer in the History of Landscape Architecture at Harvard) wrote “It is impossible to overstate the significance of Sayes Court and the History of John Evelyn’s life and work at the site that is under threat of irreversible development… it laid the groundwork for a sustainable London of the 21st century – clean air, tree canopy and food in the city”.

In London, green spaces offer a sense of connection between communities and becomes a place which enriches our relationship with the living world. These spaces are constantly expanding and contracting throughout history due to many political, environmental and social reasons. This dissertation aims to uncover the constantly shifting borders in London’s green spaces. What they are being used for and how local people are demanding change in this modern world with the ever-increasing threat of climate change.

• Table of Contents - Title - The Urban Anomaly (Working Title) - Illustration Page - The Forty-Seven Percentage (Key Illustration) - Abstract - Connection and Community - Key Words and Phrases - Chapter 1 - Introduction - Expansion and Contraction (1500 Words) - Chapter 2 - Constant Contractions (1000 Words) - Chapter 3 - The Anomaly (1000 Words) - Chapter 4 - The Deficit (1000 Words) - Chapter 5 - Life Between Buildings and The Urban Sprawl (1000 Words) - Chapter 6 - Conclusion - Lessons learnt and Sayes Court, an open space that has set standards repeatedly, could be a precedent by which the same exhausting, antagonistic battles, with all the resources on the opposing side, shouldn’t have to happen in the future...? (1500 Words) - Bibliography - List of Figures - End Page • Chapter 1- Introduction - Expansion and Contraction (1500 Words) - London is a Forest (Density) (Main Reference) - Sayes Court & John Evelyn - Setting up the argument for both

The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

The work that has undergone at Sayes Court is a story of a community fighting for space which for them brings a sense of “connection, humanity and transcendence”. Their goal – “to create a place where anyone can come from to explore, educate and advocate, a place where people can learn about the living world, take part in numerous events and gain knowledge about the long history of Sayes Court”.

• List of Illustrations or Photographic Evidence for ‘Introduction’ - Map showing percentage coverage of forest on London (Scaled) • Chapter 2 - Constant Contractions (1000 Words) - Case Study of land lost to development - Reasons for this (Population) - Urban Sprawl in the Contemporary City, constant growth • List of Illustrations or Photographic Evidence for ‘Constant Contractions’ - Map illustrations showing how a city can grow - Venn diagram describing population within London - Photographic evidence of another case study, development companies winning, and boundaries of green spaces contracting.

• Chapter 3 - The Anomaly (1000 Words) - Sayes Court, Reason for Expansion? The Deptford Is Movement - Open space which has challenged and set standards repeatedly?

- What did it take to achieve this?

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The Urban Anomaly at Sayes Court

• List of Illustrations or Photographic Evidence for ‘The Anomaly’ - Old map Surveys showing pre-WW2, linking to boundary lines - Photographic Evidence showing expansion - Metropolitan archives showing expanding border • Chapter 4 - The Deficit (1000 Words) - Deficiency of Green Space in London - Deficiency within Green Space - What can be done to avoid this? (Use Sayes Court as a reference) List of Illustrations or Photographic Evidence for ‘The Deficit’ - “opportunity areas” overlaid with a map of areas deficient in open space - Photographic Evidence - Diagrammatic response as pioneered by Sayes Court, the usage of a green space • Chapter 5 - Life Between Buildings (1000 Words) - Quality of outdoor space - The future of living in a contemporary city - Believe in a world where living in cities is not at odds with — but deepens and enriches our relationship with the living world.

• List of Illustrations or Photographic Evidence for ‘Life Between Buildings’ - Collage of Green Spaces South of the River from a viewpoint - Diagrams showing how other contemporary cities have expanded (annotated) • Chapter 6 - Conclusion - (1500 Words) Lessons learnt and Sayes Court, as an open space which has challenged and set standards repeatedly, could be a precedent by which the same exhausting, antagonistic battles, with all the resources on the opposing side, shouldn’t have to happen in the future...?

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The Continuing Expanding and Contracting Borders of the Urban Forest within London

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