DISSERTATION

Market Dynamics and Cultural Shifts Unra veling t h e Transfo rm ative Im p a ct of Econ om i c Inte re st s on Sp i ta lfields Ma r ket’s Cultura l Val u e a n d on Ne i g hb ou rhood Shi f t s

Mark Aoun | DS3.7 | W1821510

CC3 Dissertation 2023/24

A b stra ct

Th i s d i s s e r ta t i o n exa m i n e s t h e i ntr i ca te i nte r p l a y b et we e n e co n o m i c i nte re st s a n d c u l t u ra l h e r i ta g e i n s h a p i n g u r b a n

Con seq u entl y, th e resea rc h m eth od ta kes a q u a l i ta ti ve a p p roa c h to ca ptu re th e vi ew p oi nts of market traders, residents,

e nvi ronments , centri n g its inve stig a tion on Sp ita lfiel ds Mar ket and i t s n e i gh bo ur i ng are a, Br i c k Lane. Th e st udy i s d i vi d ed

reg u l a r vi si tors, a n d b u si n ess p rofessi on a l s i n th ese a rea s. Eth i ca l con d u c t rem a i n s i m p or ta nt, which ensures respect and

into four cha pters , with e a ch d e d ica te d to d is s e cti ng t h e m ul t i facete d n at u re of t h e s e u r ban pu bl i c s pace s .

confi d enti a l i ty i n h a n d l i n g th e p a r ti c i p a nt’s ex p er i en ces a n d p ersp ec ti ves.

Chapter One initially establishes a groundwork by defining urban public spaces and their importance in a socially sustainable

My i nterest i n th i s top i c a r i ses from a p rofou n d c u r i osi ty a b ou t th e i ntr i ca te d yn a m i c s th a t sh ape our urban environments.

e nv i ro n m e nt. It d e l ve s i nto t h e re l a t i o n s h i p b et we e n Sp i ta l f i e l d s Ma r ket ’s e co n o m i c v i ta l i t y a n d t h e g ra d u a l e ro s i o n

It en com p a sses a fa sc i n a ti on w i th stu d yi n g u r b a n sp a ces w i th i n a b roa d er contex t, a i m i n g to understand society through

of it s cultura l heritag e. Ad d ition a lly, it exa min e s Br i c k Lan e and i t s Be n gal i po pul at i o n, h i gh l i ght i ng h ow re gen era ti on

i ts sp a ti a l confi g u ra ti on . Ur b a n p u b l i c sp a ces p rofou n d l y i nfl u en ce h ow p eop l e i ntera c t, engage, and cultivate a sense

p ro j e c t s h a ve b ro u g ht i m p l i ca t i o n s a b o u t i t s c u l t u ra l r i c h n e s s ove r t i m e. Th e c h a pte r e m p h a s i s e s t h e s i g n i f i ca n ce of

of b el on g i n g w i th i n a c i ty. As a resu l t, th i s c u r i osi ty h a s p rom pted m e to ex p l ore th e com plex nature of urban spaces,

heritage in architectural and urban planning decisions, especially concerning the potential displacement of long-standing

a n d th e b roa d er i m p l i ca ti on s for soc i a l i ntera c ti on s, econ om i c vi ta l i ty, a n d c u l tu ra l r i c h n ess.

com munities d ue to e con omic d eve lop me nt.

Fu r th erm ore, my p a ssi on for a rc h i tec tu re a n d d esi g n h a s l ed m e to contem p l a te th e c r i ti ca l ro le that architects and urban Chapter Two s eeks to p rovid e th e h istor ica l evolu t i o n of Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket as t h e m ai n cas e st udy w h i c h h as i mp a c ted

p l a n n ers p l a y i n sh a p i n g u r b a n sp a ces. Th e con cept of i n c l u si vi ty w i th i n d esi g n i s c r u c i a l ; the inclusiveness of a space

i t s s u rro u n d i n g co m m u n i t i e s . It exa m i n e s t h e e co n o m i c a n d c u l t u ra l s i g n i f i ca n ce of Sp i ta l f i e l d s Ma r ket a c ro s s d i f fe re nt

ca n ei th er p rom ote a sen se of com m u n i ty a n d eq u a l i ty or p er p etu a te exc l u si on a n d i n equality. In this dissertation, I

historica l p eriod s , e mp h a s is in g th e ch a n g e s it h a s u nde rgo n e ove r t i m e i nto a de n s e co m m e rc i al h u b. Th e c h apter a l so

a i m to sh ed l i g ht on h ow th ou g htfu l d esi g n ca n sh a p e c i ti es i nto m ore vi b ra nt a n d h a rm onious communities that foster

high lig hts a nd introd u ce s th e imp a ct of g e ntr ifica t i o n o n t h e c ul t u ral i de nt i t y an d s o c i al fabr i c i n t h e s e are as .

i n c l u si vi ty, en cou ra g e com m u n i ty i ntera c ti on , a n d evoke a sen se of b el on g i n g . Th i s em p h asis on human-centric design u n d erscores th e n eed for sp a ces th a t a re fu n c ti on a l , a n d a ccom m od a ti n g for a l l .

Chapter Three introd u ce s th e con ce pt of ‘commu n it y ’ w i t h i n u r ban s et t i n gs , u s i n g Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket and Br i c k Lan e a s key examp les . It exa mine s h ow commu n itie s evolve a n d c h an ge due to i nte rnal s o c i al dyn am i c s , e co n o m i c s h i f t s , an d ex tern a l inf luences like urb a n re g e n e ra tion , g e ntr ifica tion , an d gl o bal i s at i o n. It s pe c i f i cal l y an al ys e s t h e i m pac t of ge ntr i fi ca ti on and g lob a lis a tion o n commu n itie s , focu s in g on th e di s pl ace m e nt of l o n g- stan di n g re s i de nt s , an d s o c i al s e gre ga ti on .

“ The la nd s ca p e of th e a re a ca n h a ve a n imp a ct o n t h e val u e pe o pl e put o n a pro pe r t y.” 1

Chapter Four offers a mu ltifa cete d a n a lys is of h ow e co n o m i c fo rce s h ave s h ape d t h e c u l t ural fabr i c of Spi tal f i e l d s Ma r ket a n d Br i c k La n e u s i n g f i r s t h a n d p e r s p e c t i ve s . Th ro u g h i nte r v i ews a n d d i a l o g u e s , t h e c h a pte r u n p a c k s t h e i m p a c t s of gentrifica tion, econo mic influ e n ce s on livin g a n d wo r ki n g s pace s , t h e ef fe c t s of to ur i s m , c h ange s i n t h e s e n s e of com m u n i ty and d emog ra p hic s h ifts in th e s e a re a s .

1 Helen Woolley, Urban Open Spaces, London: CRC Press LLC, 2003, pg. 60

Ac k n ow l e d g m e nt s

Co ntent s

I would like to tha nk Dr. A n a G a tóo, my Cu ltu ra l Co ntex t t u to r, fo r h e r i nval u abl e gu i dance and s uppo r t t h rou g h ou t

List of Figures

1

t he writing of this d is s e r ta tion . I a ls o exp re s s my appre c i at i o n to al l t h o s e w h o par t i c i pate d i n t h e s h o r t i nter vi ews, contr ib u ti ng s i gni f i cant l y to t h i s wo r k.

Chapter 1: Introduction

2 - 7

Chapter 2: Spitalfields Market Historical Evolution

8 - 13

Chapter 3: The Concept of Community

14 - 17

Chapter 4: Unveiling Perspectives

18 - 21

Conclusion

22

Bibliography

23

1

L ist of Fig ure s

1.0

Exte r ior s ocia l s p a ce of Sp ita lfie l ds

5

2.0 - 2.1

Inte r ior food sta lls in th e ma r ket prov i de s e at i n g and tabl e s fo r ea tin g a n d s ocia liz in g

6

3.0

Sp ita lfie ld s n e ig h b ou r h ood p la n are a fo r re deve l o pm e nt by 2 0 35

10

4.0 - 4.2

To d a y, th e ma r ket still sta n d s , s el l i ng a range of go o ds fro m fo o d a n d fre s h p rod u ce to cloth in g s an d acce s s o r i e s

11 - 12

5.0

At Br ick La n e, stre et s ig n s in Be n gal i are di s pl aye d un de rn e at h eve r y e n g lis h stre et s ig n , s h owcas i n g t h e are a’s stro n g co m m u ni t y her ita g e.

16

5.1

Mu ra l by Moh a mme d A li Ae ros o l co m m e m o rat i n g Ban gl ade s h’s 5 0 t h a n n ive rs a r y of in d e p e n d e n ce in 2 0 2 1

16

5.2

Be n g a li commu n ity a t a fe stiva l i n Br i c k Lan e

16

2

3

C ha pte r 1 INTRODUCTION

This cha pter initia lly s ets ou t to e sta b lis h a comp re h e n s i ve un de rstan di n g of u r ban pu bl i c s pace s , l ay i n g t h e gro u n d wor k

In th e contex t of Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket, a n d th e i m p a c t on i ts n ei g h b ou r h ood , th i s essa y acknowledges the need to

wit h a p recis e d efin ition . It e mp h a s ize s th e con ce pt of s o c i al l y s ustai n abl e s pace s , e c h o i n g t h e s e nt i m e nt s of sc h ol a r

u n d ersta n d th e econ om i c i m p a c t on th e c u l tu ra l va l u e of th e m a r ket, a rea , a n d i ts com m u n i ty. There is a need to improve

David Sib ley. Furth e rmore, it d e lve s into th e intr i cate re l at i o n s h i p bet we e n Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket ’s e co n o m i c infl u en ce

sp a ces to b e m ore com m u n a l l y va l u ed i n term s of m a i nta i n i n g th ei r tra d i ti on a l c h a ra c ter and authenticity. Spitalfields

and the eros ion of its cu ltu ra l h e r ita g e. Th e ch a pte r al s o ex te n ds t h i s exam i nat i o n to Br i c k Lan e, co l l o qu i al l y k n own a s

Ma r ket h a s evol ved i nto w h a t i t i s tod a y, a d en se com m erc i a l h u b sel l i n g a n a rra y of g oods at high prices with market

Bang la town d ue to its s ig n ifica nt Be n g a li p op u la t i o n . Ce ntral to t h i s anal ys i s i s t h e pre s e r vat i o n of c u l t ural h er i ta g e,

sta l l s a n d su rrou n d i n g ca fes a n d resta u ra nts. It h a s b een d esi g n ed for a n d op era ti n g a s a market for many years serving

notab ly hig hlig hting th e re p e rcu s s ion s of re g e n erat i o n pro j e c t s ove r t i m e. Th e i n i t i at i ve s , as ex pl o re d i n a sc h ol a r l y

i ts l oca l l y d efi n ed com m u n i ti es w h i c h h a ve n ot n ecessa r i l y b een of th e sa m e c u l tu ra l b a c kgrounds 5 throughout different

journa l a rticle in thi s ch a pte r, h a ve s e e min g ly fa vo u re d e co n o m i c i nte re st s at t h e ex pe ns e of Br i c k Lan e’s c ul t u ra l va l u e.

p er i od s i n ti m e, a n d so i t i s w h a t i t i s tod a y a t th e ex p en se of h er i ta g e.

Urba n p ub lic s p a ce s from th e p e rs p e ctive of s om e s c h o l ars “are fo r pe o pl e to e nj oy n at u re and prov i de a ga th er i n g

Th i s stu d y u n d erscores th e p i vota l si g n i fi ca n ce of h er i ta g e, a d voca ti n g for i ts centra l p l acement within the decision-

place for a s ocia l eve nt… [a n d ] … imp rove th e q u a li t y of t h e u r ban e nv i ro n m e nt, pro m ote pe o pl e exc h an ge s , re mi n i scent

m a ki n g fra m ewor ks of a rc h i tec ts a n d u r b a n p l a n n ers. Th e i m p era ti ve l i es i n recog n i si n g the potential repercussions on

t he urb a n history a n d cu ltu re, a s we ll a s to a rou s e pe o pl e’s s e n s e of i de nt i t y and be l o ngi ng to al l .” 2

l oca l com m u n i ti es, n ota b l y th ei r su scepti b i l i ty to d i sp l a cem ent. An i l l u stra ti ve ca se i s ob served within the proximity of Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket, p a r ti c u l a r l y evi d ent i n th e tra n sform a ti on of Br i c k La n e, a m ere seven - minute walk from the market.

Cons eq uently, urb an p u b lic s p a ce s a re s ocia l s p a ce s (s e e Fi gu re 1 .0) t h at fac i l i tate i nte rac t i o ns am o ng di ve rs e soc i eta l

Over ti m e, th e m a r ket’s com m erc i a l i sa ti on a n d su b seq u ent econ om i c u p su rg e h a ve a rg u ably detrimentally impacted

group s , p rov id ing “s ocia l b e n efits – th a t is op p or t un i t i e s fo r pe o pl e to do t h i n gs , take par t i n eve nt s an d ac ti vi ti es or

th e su rrou n d i n g n ei g h b ou r h ood .

just to b e.” 3 (s ee Figu re 2 .0 & 2 .1) Th e s e s p a ce s st i m u l ate t h e fo rm at i o n of s o c i o - s pat i al re l at i o n s h i ps bet we e n va r i ou s com munity g roup s . A rch ite cts a n d d e s ig n e rs a re pi votal i n s h api n g t h e s e s pace s , c re at i ng o ppo r t u ni t i e s fo r h u m a n

Br i c k La n e h i stor i ca l l y th r i ved a s a h u b for th e fl ou r i sh i n g Ben g a l i com m u n i ty, c h a ra c ter i zed by a ‘ vibrant street’ 6 (see

inha b ita tion, a nd d efin in g s p a tia l exp e r ie n ce s . Th e am bi e nce an d de s i gn of a pl ace can s i gni f i cant l y i nf l u e n ce p eop l e’s

Fi g u re 5.0, 5.1 & 5. 2) teem i n g w i th d i verse ‘Asi a n to Ca r i b b ea n c u i si n es.’ 7 However, th e ti de has turned with the wave

e m otions , evoking fe e lin g s of h a p p in e s s or me la n c h o l y. Ur ban s pace s can var y i n fo rm , ran gi n g fro m pu bl i c to p r i va te,

of g entr i fi ca ti on sweep i n g th rou g h recent yea rs, d i sp l a c i n g a si g n i fi ca nt p a r t of th i s com m unity. This shift is attributed to

and s ometimes contr ib u te to s ocieta l exclu s ion , fo ste r i ng fe e l i n gs of al i e nat i o n am o ng ce r tai n m e m be rs of s oc i ety. As

th e g row i n g i nterest a m on g th e you n g er d em og ra p h i c i n a r ts a n d c u l tu re, u l ti m a tel y resh a ping the landscape into one

David Sib ley refers to in h is b ook ‘ G e og ra p h ie s O f Exc l us i o n,’ “ Wh o i s fe l t to be l o ng an d n ot to be l o n g co ntri b u tes i n

d om i n a ted by “ h i g h - p r i ced vi nta g e a n d a r t stores a d ver ti si n g to a ver y contra sti n g a u d i ence,” 8 akin to the offerings

an imp orta nt wa y to th e s h a p in g of s ocia l s p a ce.” 4 Th e refo re i t i s c r u c i al to h i gh l i ght t h at s pace s s h o ul d be op en to

w i th i n Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket tod a y.

eve r yone, irres p ective of cu ltu ra l b a ckg rou n d s . En co uragi n g t h e ado pt i o n of h um an- ce ntr i c de s i gn by arc h i te c ts i s vi ta l and va lua b le for s ociety wh e n a rr ivin g a t d e cis ion s and de s i gni n g t h e s e s pace s .

Ha r vey’s d i scou rse on h er i ta g e, el u c i d a ted i n h i s p u b l i ca ti on – ‘Her i ta g e Pa sts a n d Heritage Presents: temporality, m ea n i n g a n d th e scop e of h er i ta g e stu d i es’, sh ed s l i g ht on a c r i ti ca l a sp ec t – th e u n d erstanding of the term itself. He a sser ts th a t we ou g ht to “ u n d ersta n d h er i ta g e a s a p rocess, or a ver b, rel a ted to h u m a n action and agency, and as a n i n str u m ent of c u l tu ra l p ower i n w h a tever p er i od of ti m e on e c h ooses to exa m i n e.” 9 This emphasises the profound i nfl u en ce of com m u n i ty m em b ers i n sh a p i n g th e i nta n g i b l e h er i ta g e a ttr i b u tes of a n a rea. They hold the authority to a r ti c u l a te th e n a rra ti ve of h i stor y, p rovi d i n g h er i ta g e w i th i ts i ntr i n si c va l u e a n d u n d er l i n i ng the imperative to uphold th ese l eg a c i es a c ross g en era ti on s.

2 Maimunah Ramlee, Dasimah Omar, Rozyah Mohd Yunus, and Zalina Samadi, ‘Revitalization of Urban Public Spaces: An Overview’, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences (2015) 360, 360,

5 Salerton Arts Review’ (London Arts, Theatre and Heritage Reviews and Recommendations), ‘Layers of History in Spitalfields’ (2021), (online) https://saltertonartsreview.com/2021/04/layers-of-

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815048351, [accessed 10 December 2023]

history-in-spitalfields/, (website) (accessed 18 December 2023)

3 Supra at note 1, pg. 12

6 Hafsa Khizar, ‘Brick Lane: A case study for gentrification gone wrong’, 4 August 2022, https://www.voicemag.uk/blog/11456/brick-lane-a-case-study-for-gentrification-gone-wrong, (web blog

4 David Sibley, Geographies of exclusion, London: Routledge 1995, pg. 1

(accessed 19 December 2023)

5

4

Durin g the 198 0s , Br ick La n e u n d e r we nt a ‘ p rop e r t y- l e d re ge n e rat i o n’ 10 pl an pr i o r i t i s i ng e co no m i c ove r s o c i a l a sp ec ts

n eed s for th e sa ke of econ om i c conven i en ce. It “seem s to b e u sed a s a ca ta l yst to fu r th er property and economic-led

fo r the loca l commu n ity. Howeve r, th is p la n tra n s i t i o n e d to a ‘c u l t ure -l e d appro ac h’ 11 i n i t i ate d by t h e C i t y C ha l l en g e,

d evel op m ent of th e a rea , w h i c h i s a ssoc i a ted w i th th e g entr i fi ca ti on p rocess.” 23 On ce money-making becomes the

“t he UK’s first ma jor u r b a n re g e n e ra tion in itia tive of t h e 1 990 s .” 12 Th i s s h i f t co nt i n ue d w i t h t h e Si ngl e Re gen era ti on

d r i vi n g fa c tor, th e “a rea b ecom es fa sh i on a b l e a n d vi b ra nt,” 24 th u s a ttra c ti n g a ffl u ent residents which then ‘stimulate

Budg et (SR B), emp h a s is in g s ocia l d eve lop me nt, an d c u l m i nate d i n C i t ys i de Re ge n e rat i o n, ‘an age n c y ’ 13

fo rm ed to

g entr i fi ca ti on .’ 25 Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket a rg u a b l y contr i b u ted si g n i fi ca ntl y to th e n ei g h b ou r hood shift and circumstances

de liver a n £11.4 million p rog ra m n a me d “ Bu ild in g Bu s i n e s s” (SR B 3) i n Towe r Ham l et s . Th e pro gram ai m e d to b rea k

i n Br i c k La n e. Th i s i s evi d ent i n th e d en se i n c rea se i n com m erc i a l i sa ti on seen tod a y, th ereby fostering the process of

ste reotyp es , s up p or t loca l b u s in e s s e s , b oost tou r is m , an d pro m ote l o cal i nte r ve nt i o n i n de c i s i o n -m aki ng.

g entr i fi ca ti on . Good s b ecom i n g ex p en si ve, p rop er ty a rou n d th e a rea b ecom i n g u n a ffordable, and new communities settl i n g i n a l l contr i b u te to soc i a l seg reg a ti on .

The journa l a rticle n a me d ‘ Pe rce ption s of S ma ll Bu s i ne s s O wn e rs of Cu l t ure -l e d Re ge ne rat i o n : A Cas e St udy of Br i c k La n e in Spita lfield s ,’ by Sy lwia Toka rs ka p re s e nts ch a lle n ge s and c r i t i c i s m s s o urce d fro m i nte r v i ews w i t h A s i an- Br i t i s h b u si n ess

Con seq u entl y, th e q u esti on p osed i s: w h ere d oes th i s l ea ve a rc h i tec ts, d esi g n ers, a n d u r b an planners? Their expertise

own ers a s s ocia ted with Br ick La n e for ove r five ye ars . Th e s e i nte r v i ews unve i l e d str uggl e s face d by s m al l b u si n ess

i n d esi g n , sp a ti a l p l a n n i n g , a n d u n d ersta n d i n g of th e b u i l t envi ron m ent en a b l es th em to play a crucial role in shaping

own ers cop ing with op e ra tion a l costs . Th ey a ls o h i gh l i ghte d co nce rn s abo u t t h e pote nt i al t h re at to t h e are a’s Ben g a l i

th e ou tcom es of reg en era ti on i n i ti a ti ves. Th ey m u st b e ca u ti ou s of n ew d evel op m ent p roj ec ts that prioritize interests and

c ult ure a nd the unce r ta inty s u rrou n d in g Ba n g la town’s f u t ure.

ou tcom es sol el y for econ om i c wel fa re.

The p la n initia lly a ime d to e leva te s ma ll b u s in e ss e s and t h e l o cal e co no my, w i t h a par t i c u l ar fo c us o n t h e resta u ra nt

Th i s essa y a c kn ow l ed g es th a t th e p eop l e of Br i c k La n e a ccord i n g to th e j ou rn a l a r ti c l e are not particularly pleased

se ctor to a ttra ct tou r ists a n d foste r e con omic g rowt h . Howeve r, t h i s n arrowe d t h e di ve rs e Be ngal i c u l t ure to j u st a n a rra y

w i th th e ou tcom es of th e reg en era ti on , refl ec ti n g on th e u n cer ta i n fu tu re of th ei r a rea . However, this essay aims to

of homog enous ‘curr y h ou s e s ,’ 14 s id e lin in g va r ie d l o cal s h o ps re pre s e nt i n g di ve rs e et h ni c bac kgro u nds , w h o add to th e

con d u c t i ts own su r vey to fu r th er exa m i n e a n d j u sti fy th e econ om i c i m p a c t on th e c u l tu ra l value of Spitalfields Market

c ult ura l elements in th e commu n ity. A s a re s u lt, th i s tran s i t i o n re s u l te d i n a re duc t i o n i n di ve rs i t y, af fe c t i n g t h e b roa d er

a n d i ts n ei g h b ou r i n g a rea s. Th erefore, i n resp on se to th ese exa m i n a ti on s, th i s d i sser ta ti on aims to consider whether

spectrum of the Ben g a li commu n ity’s cu ltu ra l id e nt i t y. It al s o i m pac te d var i o u s bus i ne s s e s re pre s e nt i n g di ve rs e c u l tu ra l

th e d evel op m ent of Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket a s a m od ern i sed a n d com m erc i a l i sed h u b ca n be deemed successful for the

bac kg round s , und ers cor in g a p r ior itiza tion of e cono m i c as pe c t s ove r c ul t u ral r i c h n e s s . Th us , ‘m argi nal i s i n g an d c rea ti n g

soc i a l su sta i n a b i l i ty of i ts l oca l com m u n i ty or i f i t d i m i n i sh es c u l tu ra l h er i ta g e va l u es, th ereby neglecting the needs of

c halleng es’ 15 a nd fa ilin g to a d d re s s r is in g ‘re nts and rate s’ 16 w h i c h h ave caus e d m any bu s i n e s s e s to str uggl e.

th e p eop l e. It a l so a i m s to h i g h l i g ht th a t a rc h i tec ts h a ve a soc i a l rol e i n a rc h i tec tu re a n d should work to mitigate issues of soc i a l seg reg a ti on .

Cons eq uently, the are a tu rn s into a ‘ tou r ist b u b b l e’ 17 w h e re t h e h um an ex pe r i e n ce be co m e s “ pre di c tabl e – a vi si tor com es a nd ha s a cu rr y me a l” 18 a n d th e n le a ve s as t h e re i s no di st i nc t ‘et h n i c c ul t u re’ 19 to e n gage v i s i to rs fo r ex ten d ed pe riod s . It rig htfully b e come s “a comme rcia l la n e w i t h c u rr y h o us e s n ex t to o n e an ot h e r,” 2 0 t h u s be co m i ng a m on eym aking street, which h a s p r ior itize d comme rcia l inte re st s ove r pre s e r v i ng t h e un i qu e c ul t u ral i de nt i t y an d h e r i tage of th e are a. Eva ns s eems to symp a th is e with th is p e rs p e c t i ve, m e nt i o n i ng t h at “e ac h sto r y of re ge n e rat i o n be gi n s w i th p oetr y and end s with rea l e sta te.” 21

The ‘culture-led a p p roa ch’ 22 s e e min g ly tra n sform s i nto an e co no m i c- dr i ve n strate gy, di s re gardi ng l o cal vo i ce s a n d

7 id

10 Ioannis Pantelidis, W. Geerts, S. Acheampong, ‘Green generals, jade warriors: the many shades of green in hotel management,’ London Journal of Tourism, Sport and Creative Industries, 3(4),

8 id

(2010), 8, 29, file:///C:/Users/User/OneDrive/Documents/Year%203/CC3/Green_Generals_Jade_Warriors_The_Many_Sh.pdf, (accessed 22 Dec 2023)

9 David Harvey, Heritage Pasts and Heritage Presents: temporality, meaning and the scope of heritage studies, International journal of heritage studies, vol. 7, no. 4 (2001), 319, 327, https://www-

11 id

tandfonline-com.uow.idm.oclc.org/doi/pdf/10.1080/13581650120105534?needAccess=true, (accessed 22 Dec 2023)

12 id

6

7

In conclus ion, this ch a pte r ta ke s a firm sta n ce on h ow e co n o m i c i nte re st s i nf l u e n ce re ge ne rat i o n pro j e c t s i n Spi ta l fi el d s Market a nd its a d ja ce nt a re a , Br ick La n e. It u n d e rs co re s t h e i m po r tan ce of c re at i ng s o c i al l y s u stai nabl e ur ban s pa ces th a t prioritis e community n e e d s , th e re by p rovid in g s oc i al be nef i t s fo r al l . Th i s can be ac h i eve d by e m brac i n g h u m an - centr i c desig n, ens uring co mmu n ity voice s a re h e a rd , a nd i nco r po rat i ng t h e ex pe r t i s e of arc h i te c t s and de s i gn e rs . Preser vi n g t he cultura l herita ge of commu n itie s , e s p e cia lly l i ke t h e Be n gal i s i n Br i c k Lan e, s h o ul d be a fo cal po i nt i n d ec i si on m ak ing for reg enera tion p roje cts . A rch ite cts , d e s i gn e rs , and ur ban pl an ne rs ne e d to pr i o r i t i s e c u l t ural s i gni fi ca n ce along s id e economi c g a in s . Proje cts s ole ly d r ive n by e co n o m i c o bj e c t i ve s r i s k e ro di n g h e r i tage w h i l e bo o st i n g l oca l e conomies . Striking a b a la n ce b etwe e n b oth cu l t ural l y l e d appro ac h e s an d e co n o m i c co ns i de rat i o n s i s e s senti a l i n urba n p rojects to en s u re e q u ita b le b e n efits for a ll .

Figure 2.0

Figure 2.1

Interior food stalls in the market provide seating and tables for eating and socializing

Figure 1.0 Exterior social space of Spitalfields Market

13 ibid pg. 31

20 id

14 ibid pg. 38

21 Graeme Evans, ‘Measure for Measure: Evaluating the Evidence of Culture’s Contribution to Regeneration,’ Urban Studies, Vol. 42, (2005), 1, 1, citing Klunzman, K. Keynote speech to Intereg III

15 id

Mid-term Conference, Lille, in: Regeneration and Renewal, 19 November 2004, p. 2, http://www.scholars-on-bilbao.info/fichas/16EvansUS2005.pdf, (accessed 22 Dec 2023)

16 id

22 Supra at note 10

17 id

23 Supra at note 14

18 id

24 Supra at note 10, pg. 30

19 id

25 id

8

9

C ha pte r 2 S P I TA L F I E L D S M A R K E T H I S T O R I C A L E V O L U T I O N

This cha pter a ims to p rovid e a comp re h e n s ive ex pl o rat i o n of Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket, e l u c i dat i n g i t s i ntr i ns i c na tu re a n d

In th e contex t of i nvesti g a ti n g h ow th e econ om i c i nterests of Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket h a ve i nfl uenced its cultural value, the

f unctiona lity. Ad d iti on a lly, it will offe r a context ual bac kdro p detai l i ng t h e m ar ket ’s h i sto r i cal evo l ut i o n over ti m e,

19th centu r y w i tn essed a tra n sform a ti ve ex p a n si on . Du r i n g th i s p er i od , th e m a r ket n ot on l y traded food, drinks, and fresh

ex plica ting its tra nsforma tive jou rn ey a n d s h e d d i ng l i ght o n i t s pre s e nt-day s i gn i f i can ce an d i de nt i t y. Th ro u gh th ese

p rod u ce b u t a l so m a ter i a l i tem s, su c h a s “ vi nyl fa i rs, c l oth es, a r ts, c ra fts, a n d j ewel l er y.” 36 This shift was emblematic of

m ea ns , I will a d d ress th e key inte ntion of th e d is s er tat i o n, w h i c h i s to qu e st i o n h ow t h e e co no m i c i nte re st s of Spi ta l fi el d s

th e c h a n g i n g econ om i c l a n d sca p e d r i ven by i nfl u en ces of th e ‘In d u str i a l Revol u ti on’ 37 i n w hich “East London was at the

Market ha ve cha ng e d its cu ltu ra l va lu e.

h ea r t of i t a l l ,” 38 w h ere “n ew m a c h i n es, i n d u str i es, tec h n ol og i es a n d i d ea s…revol u ti on i sed production, trade, transport a n d soc i ety.” 39 Al on g si d e th i s were c u l tu ra l a n d soc i a l tra n sform a ti on s, th e i nfl u x of ski l l e d migrant communities, such

Spitalfield s Ma rket, loca te d in th e h istor ic Ea st En d of Lo n do n , h as evo l ve d i nto a re n owne d and v i brant co mm erc i a l

a s th e “ Hu g u en ots…[w h o]…settl ed m a i n l y i n Sp i ta l fi el d s a n d b eca m e ski l l ed si l k wea vers,” 4 0 and rapid urbanization.

hub, offering not only d ive rs e d in in g exp e r ie n ce s fo r fam i l i e s and fr i e n ds bu t al s o s e r v i n g as a m ar ket pl ace fo r a n a rra y

Th ese fa c tors col l ec ti vel y l ed to sh i fts i n con su m er p referen ces, ex ten d i n g b eyon d b a si c foodstuffs. Consequently, this

of g ood s s uch a s textile s , a ntiq u e s , a r t, a n d fa s h io n i te m s .

d i versi fi ca ti on b roa d en ed th e m a r ket’s econ om i c a n d c u l tu ra l h or i zon s, a ttra c ti n g a r ti sans, traders and consumers seeki n g c u l tu ra l a r tefa c ts.

The ma rket b oa sts a r ich h istor y d a tin g b a ck to t h e 1 3t h ce nt u r y w h e n t h e are a was o r i gi n al l y r u ral , c h arac ter i sed by pastures a nd g a rd e n s ‘ u ntil th e Gre a t Fire of Lon d o n’ 26 al te re d i t s l ands cape. By 1 666, du r i n g t h e re i gn of Ki ng C h a r l es

Movi n g i nto th e 20th centu r y Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket en cou ntered b oth c h a l l en g es a n d op p o rtunities. The impact of the

II, trad ers b eg a n s e llin g a t th e cu rre nt ma r ket s ite to re s po nd to t h e s urgi n g de m and fo r fre s h pro duce, s uc h a s; fr u i ts

two Wor l d Wa rs fu r th er a l tered i ts econ om i c l a n d sca p e a n d ‘l a n d sca p e of th e c i ty’ 41 to accommodate the evolving

and veg eta b les . 27 Its s u cce s s p la ye d a p ivota l ro l e i n at trac t i ng s et t l e rs and m i grant s fro m di ve rs e et h n i c and c u l tu ra l

n eed s of th e com m u n i ty. 42 Tod a y, th e m a r ket sta n d s a s a vi b ra nt a m a l g a m a ti on of i ts h istorical legacy and array of

bac kg round s . For in sta n ce, Hu g u e n ots fle e in g p e rs e c ut i o n i n France bro ught t h e i r s i l k-we av i n g s ki l l s , Ir i s h wea vers

g ood s i nfl u en ced by th e econ om i c i nterests of ven d ors (see Fi g u re 4.0, 4,1 & 4. 2). Th e market has adapted to both

m igra ted d ue to th e d e clin e in th e Ir is h lin e n in d ustr y, an d i n l ate r ye ars , Easte rn Eu ro pe an Jews e s cape d m a ssa c res

tec h n ol og i ca l a d va n cem ent a n d th e r i se of ‘g l ob a l i sa ti on’ 43 to m eet con su m er d em a n d s. As Begum puts it, “ The term

and toug h liv ing co n d ition s in Ru s s ia . 28 Ad d itional l y, t h e Bangl ade s h i co m m u ni t y s o u ght a bet te r l i fe i n Lo nd on w i th

‘g l ob a l i sa ti on’ i s u sefu l to ex p l a i n th e l oca l - g l ob a l d yn a m i c s i n Sp i ta l fi el d s.” 44 Th e m a r ket has not only become a local

low-cost hous ing a n d d ive rs e job op p or tu n itie s , th r i v i ng i n Spi tal f i e l ds and “ br i n gi n g new c ul t u re s , trade s and b u si n ess

trea su re to th e a rea b u t a l so a d esti n a ti on for i ntern a ti on a l vi si tors, refl ec ti n g th e i ntercon nectedness of economic and

to t he a rea includ ing th e fa mou s Br ick La n e re sta u rant di str i c t.” 2 9

c u l tu ra l va l u es i n th e 21st centu r y.

In 1 876, Rob ert Horn e r, “a forme r ma r ket p or te r ” 30 , s e c ure d a s h o r t l e as e o n t h e m ar ket and e m bar ke d o n co nstr u c ti n g a

In p rovi d i n g th e h i stor i ca l evol u ti on of th e m a r ket a n d i ts econ om i c a n d c u l tu ra l tra n si ti on ing the research objective is

new b uild ing for £80,0 0 0, comp lete d in 1 89 3 . 31 Th e m ar ket, now s i t uate d i n t h e ‘Ho rne r Bui l di ngs’ co nt i n ue d to fl ou r i sh

em p h a si sed a n d q u esti on s; to w h a t ex tent d oes th e econ om i c i nterest of Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket take over its cultural value

unt il “the City of Lon d on a cq u ire d d ire ct control of t h e m ar ket ” 3 2 by 1 92 0. A s t h e m ar ket ’s re putat i o n grew i n po p u l a r i ty,

for th e b etter of com m u n i ti es? Th i s i s a q u esti on I w i l l i nvesti g a te a n d a n a l yse fu r th er i n th e dissertation.

It pos ed cha lleng es s u ch a s tra ffic con g e stion in th e narrow stre et s , h i n de r i n g m u c h -n e e de d ex pan s i o n . Co n s e qu entl y, i n May 19 91, the ma rket wa s force d to re loca te to Ley to n , re ce i v i n g t h e n am e ‘New Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket,’ s pe c i al i s i n g i n th e

Accord i n g to th e Sp i ta l fi el d s Nei g h b ou r h ood Pl a n n i n g For u m d oc u m ent w h i c h seeks to i m p rove the socio-economic and

trade of fruits a nd ve g eta b le s . 33 Th e or ig in a l s ite retai n e d i t s s i gn i f i can ce as Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket, u nde rgo i n g a red esi g n

envi ron m enta l a sp ec ts of th e ex i sti n g n ei g h b ou r h ood a rea s a n d p rop oses a vi si on for 2035, (see Figure 3.0) Spitalfields

of ma rket sta lls by Foste r a n d Pa r tn e rs in 2 0 1 7 a n d e arni n g t h e de s i gn at i o n ‘Ol d Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket.’ 3 4 Th i s hi stor i ca l

“c h a ra c ter i s th rea ten ed by w h a t m a ny p ercei ve to b e over- d evel op m ent by b u si n esses, b oth small and large, seeking

journey of Sp ita lfield s Ma r ket refle cts its cu ltu ra l s ign i f i can ce as i t i s “ t h e h o m e to m any di f fe re nt co m m un i t i e s” 3 5 a n d a n

to ca sh i n on th e n ei g h b ou r h ood ’s p op u l a r i ty.” 45 Th e p rol i fera ti on of reta i l stores a n d businesses in the vicinity has

are a with a strong se n s e of commu n ity.

erod ed th e coh esi on of th e l oca l com m u n i ty a n d com p rom i sed th e h i stor i ca l a n d c u l tu ra l essence that has long defined

26 ‘Spi talfields’, History, (online) https://www.spitalfields.co.uk/spitalfields-history/ (website), (accessed 11 November 2023)

30 id

27 id

31 id

28 id

32 id

29 id

10

11

Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan Submission (Regulation 16) Version

Figure 1.1: Spitalfields neighbourhood plan area

e conomica lly, ha s d etr ime nta l con s e q u e n ce s for re s i de nt s and e stabl i s h e d c u sto m e rs . A s ar t i c ul ate d i n ‘Past In Th e Pre sent,’ a b out the con ce pt of g e ntr ifica tion in Sp i tal f i e l ds , o ne “ wo u l d be ex tre m e l y di s appo i nte d i f to day yo u were to he ad to Sp ita lfield s in s e a rch of a n a fford a b le h o m e.” 4 6

Ge ntrifica tion is a ce ntra l con ce rn in u r b a n p u b lic s pace s , par t i c u l ar l y ev i de nt i n Spi tal f i e l ds , w i t h profo un d i m p l i ca ti on s for t h e ma rket. The circu msta n ce s a ttra ct a we a lth i e r de m o graph i c , co ntr i but i n g to t h e n e i gh bo ur h o o d’s i m provem ent 47 , but a ls o res ulting in a tra n s ition from a low to a h i gh -val u e are a, m ar ke d by e s cal at i n g pro pe r t y val u e s a n d th e displa cement of lon g - sta n d in g re s id e nts . Howeve r, t h i s i s an i s s u e t h e co u nc i l i s h o pef ul to addre s s fo r t h e f ut u re w i th a n increa s e “of a t lea st 58,96 5 n et a d d ition a l h ome s by 2 0 31 , w i t h at l e ast 5 0 % of t h e s e be i ng af fo rdabl e.” 4 8

In conclus ion, this ch a pte r h a s p rovid e d a n in - d ept h h i sto r i cal acco unt and evo l ut i o n of Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket p rovi d i n g it s imp orta nce econ omica lly a n d cu ltu ra lly a s a pro m i ne nt publ i c s pace u s e d by i t s l o cal co m m u ni t i e s an d v i s itors. Th e transforma tion of th e ma r ket ch a ra cte r ize d by th e grow t h i n retai l sto re s and bus i ne s s e s h as bro ught bot h o ppo r tu n i ti es and cha lleng es for loca ls . Wh ile th e e con omic rev i tal i zat i o n of t h e are a h as adde d to i t s v i bran c y, i t h as co nc u rrentl y le d to the eros ion of th e cu ltu ra l s ig n ifica n ce th at o nce def i n e d i t. Th e i m pac t and co ns e que nce s of ge ntr i fi ca ti on unders core the comp lex inte r p la y b etwe e n e con o m i c deve l o pm e nt and t h e pre s e r vat i o n of co m m u ni t y i de nt i ty. Th u s, it becomes imp erative to b a la n ce b oth fa ctors e n s u r i n g t h at f u t ure deve l o pm e nt e nde avo urs pr i o r i t i ze i nc l u si vi ty, com munity eng a g eme nt, a n d s u sta in e d we ll- b e ing of al l re s i de nt s .

Figure 3.0 Spitalfields neighbourhood plan area (Supra at note 35, pg. 5)

5

33 Flaven Building Solutions, ‘Old Spitalfields Market,’ (online) https://flaven.co.uk/projects/teashop2/, (website), (accessed 20 December 2023)

41 Imperial War Museums, ‘London In The Second World War’, (online) https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/london-in-the-second-world-war#:~:text=The%20Blitz%20on%20London%20from,were%20

34 id

killed%20by%20enemy%20action, (website) (accessed 20 December 2023)

35 ‘Spitalfields Neighbourhood Planning Forum’, Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan 2020-2035, Submission (Regulation 16) Version October 2020, (online), https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/

42 id

Documents/Planning-and-building-control/Neighbourhood-Planning-Documents-March-2021/3-Spitalfields-Neighbourhood-Plan-Compressed.pdf (accessed 11 November 2023), pg 8

43 Halima Begum, ‘Commodifying Multicultures: Urban Regeneration and the Politics of Space in Spitalfields’, Doctoral Thesis, Queen Mary College, University of London, 2004, pg 41

36 Historic London Tours, ‘Fruitation: Spitalfields Market’, (online) https://historiclondontours.com/tales-of-london/f/fruitation, (website) 26th October 2022, (accessed 20 December 2023)

44 id

37 Alison, East London History, ‘ The role of East London in the Industrial Revolution’, (online) https://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/the-role-of-east-london-in-the-industrial-revolution/, (website)

45 Supra at note 35, pg. 9

23rd March 2023, (accessed 20 December 2023)

46 ‘Past In The Present’ (Travelling The World, Discovering The Past). ‘In Spitalfields: When gentrifiers were to be applauded for saving neighbourhoods’ – 10th May 2018. (online), https://

38 id

pastinthepresent.net/2018/05/10/in-spitalfields-when-gentrifiers-were-to-be-applauded-for-saving-neighbourhoods/ (website) (accessed 12 November 2023)

39 id

47 in terms of the preservation and adaptive reuse of high-end historical housing around the area

40 id

48 Supra at note 45

12

Figure 4.0

Today, the market still stands, selling a range of goods from food and fresh produce to clothings and accessories

Figure 4.1

13

Figure 4.2

14

15

C ha pte r 3 THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY

This cha pter a ims to exp lore a n d d e con str u ct th e m ul t i facete d co n ce pt of ‘co m m un i t y ’ w i t h i n u r ban co ntex t s , fo c u si n g on

th i s p ersp ec ti ve u n d erscores th e si g n i fi ca n ce of u r b a n p l a n n i n g a n d d esi g n , n ot sol el y a ddressing the physical needs

t he d yna mic a nd evolvin g n a tu re of commu n itie s l i ke i n Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket an d t h e i m pac t to day o n i t s ne i gh b ou r i n g

of i n h a b i ta nts b u t a l so su p p or ti n g th e soc i a l fa b r i c a n d sen se of com m u n i ty w i th i n sp ec i fi c neighbourhoods. Failure to

are as , s uch a s Brick La n e, wh ich h a s b rou g ht a s h i f t to t h e de m o graph i c l an ds cape. It be gi ns by exam i n i n g th e

a d d ress soc i a l i ssu es a r i si n g from reg en era ti on p roj ec ts r i sks wa stefu l i nvestm ent a n d d etr imental social consequences.

fo und a tiona l d efinition s p rop os e d by s ch ola r G e rard De l ant y an d trans i t i o ns i nto an ex pl o rat i o n of Spi tal f i e l d s Ma r ket and its neig hb ourhood a s th e ma in ca s e stu d y, il l u strat i n g t h e co m pl ex i t i e s i nh e re nt i n u nde rstandi ng an d s usta i n i n g

Con seq u entl y, i n th i s contex t, th e con cept of com m u n i ty a l i g n s c l osel y w i th Del a nty’s d efi n i tion “that community must be

com munities within a n u r b a n s ettin g .

u n d erstood a s a n ex p ressi on of a h i g h l y fl u i d com m u n i ta s – a m od e of b el on g i n g th a t i s symbolic…[and]…capable of su sta i n i n g m od ern a n d ra d i ca l soc i a l rel a ti on sh i p s a s wel l a s tra d i ti on a l on es.” 58

The concept of com mu n ity, a s d is cu s s e d by ma ny s c h o l ars , po s e s a c h al l e nge to arr i ve at a f i xe d def i ni t i o n a s i t ca n have ‘ma ny forms .’ 49 A commu n ity is ‘s ocia lly con str u c te d’ 50 by t h e pe o pl e i nvo l ve d an d i s s u bj e c t to c h an ge, evol vi n g

In th e contex t of Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket a n d i ts i nfl u en ce on th e su rrou n d i n g a rea , th e a d verse effects are evident within

due to interna l p res s u re s from s ocia l d yn a mics a nd e co no m i c s h i f t s , and ex te rnal pre s s u re s fro m ur ban re ge n era ti on ,

th e reg en era ti on p roj ec ts. Th ese i n i ti a ti ves h a ve d i m i n i sh ed th e sen se of com m u n i ty a n d eroded the area’s heritage.

ge ntrifica tion, a nd g lob a lis a tion tre n d s wh ich h a ve be e n al l ude d to e ar l i e r i n t h i s di s s e r tat i o n w i t h i n t h e contex t of

Moreover, th ei r i nfl u en ce h a s contr i b u ted to th e contem p ora r y r i se of g l ob a l i za ti on a n d gentrification, resulting in

Spitalfield s Ma rket th e n e ig h b ou r h ood s h ift.

n eg a ti ve effec ts on th e a rea .

Def in ing the concept of commu n ity p rove s ch a ll e ngi ng w i t h i n acade m i c di s co urs e, gi ve n i t s di ve rs e i nte r preta ti on s

Th e i m p a c t of g l ob a l i sa ti on i s c h a ra c ter i sed a s “ th e i nten si fi ca ti on of wor l d w i d e soc i a l relations which link distant

t hat va ry a mong in d ivid u a ls a n d a cros s s ch ola r ly pe rs pe c t i ve s . De l ant y ar t i c ul ate s t h at a co m m u ni t y ‘ex i st s i n m a ny

l oca l i ti es i n su c h a wa y th a t l oca l h a p p en i n g s a re sh a p ed by events occ u rr i n g m a ny m iles away and vice versa.” 5 9

fo rms ,’ 51 sta ting , “ Th e re is n ot on e k in d of commu n i t y t h at i s m o re ‘re al ’ t h an ot h e r fo rm s , o r t h at al l ki nds of com m u n i ty

Th i s con cept revol ves a rou n d a l oca ti on i n i ti a l l y ser vi n g a s a l oca l com m erc i a l centre, g ra dually expanding to become

are d eriva tive of a b a s ic commu n ity.” 52 He e lu cidate s o n var i o us co m m u ni t y t y pe s : “ tradi t i o n al face - to -face…vi r tu a l …

a g l ob a l h u b i nfl u en c i n g va r i ou s l oca l es a c ross d i fferent cou ntr i es i n th ei r p u rc h a si n g of goods. This is evident with

transna tiona l…[a nd ] on e -wor ld …wh ich ofte n com pl e m e nt e ac h ot h e r.” 53

Th e not i o n of a ‘tradi t i o n al face- to- fa ce

Sp i ta l fi el d s Ma r ket, w h i c h p revi ou sl y occ u p i ed l a n d covered i n p a stu res, evol ved i nto a h ub for selling fresh produce,

com munity’ 54 ca n be s imp lifie d into a ‘ loca l comm u ni t y,’ 55 of an are a, i m po r tant w i t h i n t h e co ntex t of t h i s di s ser ta ti on .

a n d h a s n ow tra n sform ed i nto a p rom i n ent ‘l oca l - g l ob a l ’ 6 0 m a r ket, d esc r i b ed a s “a h i p place to buy every thing from

He a ccentua tes the s p e cificity of th e d is s e r ta tion di s co u rs e f ur t h e r w h e n h e po i nt s o ut t h at “ Lo cal co m m un i ty…i s…a

a r t to org a n i c food s to eth n i c j ewel l er y,” 6 1 op era ti n g ever y d a y of th e week.

ce ntra l q uestion in a ll d is cu s s ion s … [a n d ] …wh eth e r t h e u r ban fo rm of t h e c i t y acco m m o date s i t.” 56

De l ant y hi g h l i g hts

t he s ig nifica nce of th e ‘ loca l commu n ity’ 57 with in t h e bro ade r co nce pt of co m m u ni t y, s u gge st i n g i t s refe re nce to soc i a l

However, a s Beg u m a ptl y n otes, i t h a s b rou g ht “ i m p l i ca ti on s for a l l sp h eres of soc i a l i d entity and life – the economic,

connections , intera c tion s , a n d s h a re d id e ntity a mo n g re s i de nt s w i t h i n a s pe c i f i c ge o graph i cal are a o r ne i gh bou r h ood .

th e p ol i ti ca l . . .a s wel l a s th e c u l tu ra l .” 62 Th i s i ntercon n ec ted n ess b etween l oca l a n d g l obal ‘dynamics’ 6 3 undeniably

A nd tha t is wha t hold s s u b sta ntia l imp or ta n ce.

sh a p es com m u n i ti es a n d c u l tu res, a s evi d ent i n Br i c k La n e tod a y. Gl ob a l i sa ti on d oes n ot solely impact broad global system s b u t si g n i fi ca ntl y i nfl u en ces l oca l contex ts. Th e econ om i c g row th sp u rred by Sp i ta l fields Market has incentivised

He emp ha s is es the cr itica l inte rre la tion b etwe e n t h e phys i cal l ayo u t, pl an ni n g, and f un c t i o n al i t y of ur ban sp a ces,

g overn m ents overseei n g reg en era ti on p roj ec ts to p r i or i ti se com m erc i a l i nterests over th e area’s heritage value.

especia lly a ris ing from u r b a n re g e n e ra tion p roje c t s an d t h e i r ro l e i n nu r t u r i n g co h e s i ve l o cal co m m u ni t i e s . A co n d u c i ve urban d es ig n p romotin g s ocia l inte ra ction a n d a s e n s e of be l o ngi ng am o n g re s i de nt s , rat h e r t h an pure l y ser vi n g

An oth er si g n i fi ca nt i m p a c t, p a r ti c u l a r l y on com m u n i ti es l i ke th e Ba n g l a d esh i i n Br i c k La n e, is gentrification. Having also

economic interests , foste rs th e p re s e r va tion of vibrant and i nte rco n ne c te d l o cal co m m u ni t i e s . He nce,

b een a t th e centre of d i sc u ssi on s, th ere i s m ore con cern w i th “d esc r i b i n g th e p rocess th a n w i th explaining it.” 6 4 Coined by

49 Gerard Delanty, ‘Community’, Taylor and Francis Group, 2003, pg 166

53 id

50 ibid pg. 71

54 id

51 Supra at note 49

55 Supra at note 49, pg. 70

52 id

56 id

16

17

Ge rma n-Britis h s ociolog ist a n d u r b a n p la n n e r Ru th Gl as s , i t can be “def i n e d as t h e re h abi l i tat i o n of wo r ki n g- c l ass i n n ercit y neig hb ourhoods for u p p e r- mid d le cla s s con s u m pt i o n.” 65 Br i c k Lan e i t s e l f stan ds as a te stam e nt to ge ntr ifi ca ti on’s phas es a s it is “its elf a g e ntr ifica tion ta le.” 66 Th e i nf l u e n ce of Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket ’s co m m e rc i al i s at i o n h as ex ten d ed to Bric k La ne, tra nsformin g it into p r ima r ily a comme rc i al ce ntre fe at ur i ng nu m e ro u s re staurant s and few s h o ps offer i n g m ateria l g ood s . Th is s u rg e of u p s ca le e sta b lis h m e nt s h as re s h ape d t h e Be n gal i de m o graph i c and un de rm i n ed th ei r c ult ura l herita g e wh ile a ttra ctin g we a lth ie r commu ni t i e s .

Glob a lis a tion a rg uab ly contr ib u te s to th is p h e n om e n o n by pro m ot i n g to ur i s m w h e n are as un de rgo v i brant, a ttra c ti ve regenera tion p rima r ily for e con omic g a in . Con s equ e nt l y, t h e s e re gi o n s be co m e to u r i st- ce ntr i c zo n e s , al te r i n g th ei r aut hentic cha ra cter, a n d d is p la cin g loca l commu n i t y prac t i ce s . A s Bro u i l l et te s ucce s sf u l l y n ote s , “ to ur i st s . . .v i s i t th e a rea

Figure 5.0

Figure 5.1

in in crea s ing numb ers , a n d more a n d more n on - Ban gl ade s h i s . . .are at trac te d to t h e i de a t h at i t [Br i c k Lan e] mi g ht b e

At Brick Lane, street signs in Bengali are displayed

Mural by Mohammed Ali Aerosol commemorating

underneath every english street sign, showcasing

Bangladesh’s 50th anniversary of independence

the area’s strong community heritage.

in 2021

possib le to move th e re.” 67

This increa s ed v is ib ility d u e to r is in g tou r ist n u mb e rs dr i ve s up pro pe r t y val u e s an d s o c i al di s pl ace m e nt, a h al lm a r k of g entrifica tion. In Br ick La n e’s h ou s in g , s oa r in g p ro pe r t y val u e s re n de r re al e state l e s s af fo rdabl e fo r l o n g- term resid ents a nd s ma ll b u s in e s s e s . Con s e q u e ntly, or ig i nal i nh abi tant s and l o cal e nte r pr i s e s str u ggl e w i t h e s cal at i ng rent costs . As a minor ity of th e s e re s id e nts re loca te and t h e af f l u e nt s et t l e i n, co m m u ni t y bo n ds frac t u re, l e adi ng to heightened s ocia l s e g re g a tion a n d a los s of s ocial co h e s i o n.

To conclud e, this ch a pte r a ime d to p re s e nt th e conce pt of co m m un i t y w i t h i n t h e co ntex t of m o de rn arc h i te c t u re a n d urban p la nning , d elvin g into its comp lexitie s . It fu r t h e r h i gh l i ght s t h e i m pac t of gl o bal i s at i o n an d ge ntr i f i cat i o n in t h e v icinity of Sp i ta lfie ld s Ma r ket a n d its n e ig h b o u r h o o d. Th e c h apte r u nde rs co re s t h e c r u c i al s i gni f i cance of ack nowled g ing local commu n itie s a s cu stod ia n s of an are a’s h e r i tage i n t h e de s i gn of u r ban pu bl i c s pace s . A rc h i tec ts, de si g ners , a nd urb an p la n n e rs h old s ig n ifica nt inf l ue nce. Th e i r o bj e c t i ve s h o u l d ce ntre o n c raf t i n g s pace s t h at n u r tu re com munity, encoura g e s ocia l inte ra ction , a n d cu lti vate a s e n s e of be l o ngi ng, ste e r i ng away fro m transfo rm i n g th ese

Figure 5.2

spaces into mere tou r ist- ce ntr ic zon e s . Sp ita lfie ld s Mar ket and Br i c k Lan e s e r ve as pi votal exam pl e s w h e re parts

Bengali community at a festival in Brick Lane

of t h eir herita g e ha ve b e e n s a cr ifice d for u p s ca le retai l o u t l et s an d re staurant s . Th u s , t h e e m ph as i s s h o u l d n ot l i e

Source (Fig 5.0, 5.1, 5.2): https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/brick-lane-london-walking-tour

in c rea ting tra ns ient s p a ce s wh e re “on e come s , ma ke s o n e’s way, gai n s pro s pe r i t y, an d t h e n l e ave s fo r gre e ner pastures .”

68

61 Sarah, Brouillette, “LITERATURE AND GENTRIFICATION ON BRICK LANE.” Criticism, vol. 51, no. 3, 2009, pp. 425, 435 http://www.jstor.org/stable/23131523, (Accessed 22 Dec 2023) 62 Supra at note 60 63 id 64 J. John Palen and Bruce London, ‘Gentrification, Displacement, and Neighborhood Revitalization’, State University of New York Press, 1984, pg 43

57 id 65 id 58 Supra at note 49, pg. 31 66 Supra at note 61, pg. 428 59 Anthony Giddens, ‘ The consequences of modernity’, Polity Press, 1990, pg 64 67 ibid pg. 434 60 Supra at note 43 68 id

18

19

C ha pte r 4 UNVEILING PERSPECTIVES

This cha pter d elves into th e e con omic influ e n ce s s h api n g bot h Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket an d i t s ne i gh bo u r i n g co m m u n i ty,

“ I sel l vi nta g e c l oth es a n d m oved h ere recentl y to b e c l ose to th e m a r ket, to c u t d own on long commutes. When I

Bric k La ne. It p res ents d ive rs e firsth a n d p e rs p e ctive s and o pi n i o ns of re s i de nt s , trade rs , and v i s i to rs o n t h e re gen era ti on

c h ec ked ou t th e h ou se p r i ces a n d rent, I wa s q u i te sh oc ked . Bu t, you kn ow, I h a d n o oth er o ption and was prepared to

of t he a rea s . The aim is to u n cove r th e mu ltifa cete d i m pac t of e co n o m i c fo rce s o n t h e c ul t u ral fabr i c of t h e s e h i stor i c

p a y.”

locales . Throug h can d id inte r views a n d d ia log u e s , t h e o bj e c t i ve n ot o nl y e l u c i date s t h e co m pl ex and i nter tw i n i n g relations hip b etwee n th e e con omics a n d th e cu l t ural e s s e nce of t h e are as bu t al s o h o n o urs t h e aut h e nt i c i t y of th e

“ On e g ood th i n g a b ou t a l l th e c h a n g es h a p p en i n g h ere i s m ore tou r i sts com i n g i n . It rea l l y livens up the market and the

com munity’s p ers p e ctive s , wh ich a re forme d by th e bu st l i ng l i fe i n t h e s e di str i c t s .

l oca l scen e. It i s cool to see p eop l e en j oyi n g d i fferent c u l tu res. I ca n n ot d eny i t, i t d oes h e lp us, traders!”

The following s ection introd u ce s s eve n a n onymo us re s po n de nt s w h o fo rm an i nte gral par t of t h e Spi tal f i el d s l oca l

Pa r ti c i p a nt 3 (Br i c k La n e resi d ent) resp on d i n g to q u esti on 3:

com munity a nd the n e ig h b ou r in g Br ick La n e a re a. Th e ai m was to gat h e r t h e i r i n s i ght s an d o pi n i o ns re gard i n g th e are a’s reg enera tion a n d th e con s e q u e n ce s of g entr i f i cat i o n. Th e que st i o ns be l ow we re po s e d to s o m e par ti c i p a nts,

“ You kn ow, l i vi n g i n Br i c k La n e n ow i s l i ke h a vi n g a front- row sea t to a c u l tu ra l m el ti n g pot. Today it is a vibrant mix

inclu d ing ma rket tra d e rs , re s id e nts , re g u la r vis itors , and bu s i n e s s profe s s i o n al s i n Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket an d Br i c k La n e:

of tra d i ti on s, col ou rs, a n d fl a vou rs th a t m a ke ever y d a y a n a d ventu re. Bu t I h a ve seen so many changes - fancy shops p op p i n g u p, a n d som e c l ose n ei g h b ou rs l ea vi n g b eca u se of rent i ssu es. So, you cou l d sa y the sense of community has

1.

Ha ve you exp e r ie n ce d a ny imp a cts of g e ntr i f i cat i o n o n t h e af fo rdabi l i t y of l i v i n g an d wo r ki n g s paces i n Br i c k

d i m i n i sh ed som ew h a t, a s th e a rea i s n ot l i ke i t u sed to b e. However, i t i s sti l l h om e.”

Lane a nd Sp ita lfields Ma r ket?

2.

How ha s th e influ x of tou r ists a ffe cte d th e l o cal co m m u ni t y an d bus i ne s s e s i n t h i s are a?

3.

D o you b elieve th e ch a n g e s b rou g ht abo u t by ge ntr i f i cat i o n h ave e nh an ce d o r di m i ni s h e d t h e sen se of

Pa r ti c i p a nt 4 (Br i c k La n e resi d ent of Ben g a l i h er i ta g e) resp on d i n g to q u esti on s 3 a n d 4:

com munity in Sp ita l fie ld s Ma r ket a n d Br ick La n e?

“ You kn ow, th ese c h a n g es, th ey h a ve torn th e fa b r i c of ou r com m u n i ty h ere i n Br i c k La n e. Gentrification is like a flood

4.

wa sh i n g a wa y w h a t m a d e th i s p l a ce ou rs. It a l m ost feel s l i ke i t i s n ot a b ou t i m p rovi n g , but rather about erasing our

In your expe r ie n ce, h ow h a ve th e d e mograph i c s h i f t s i nf l u e n ce d s o c i al i nte rac t i o n s and co m m un i t y co h esi on i n

Spitalfield s Ma rket a n d Br ick La n e?

sen se of com m u n i ty. Wi th th ese sh i fts, th e con n ec ti on s a n d b on d s th a t were on ce sh a red j u st are not the same. We used to kn ow ea c h oth er, sh a re stor i es, a n d feel l i ke fa m i l y. Now, i t i s l i ke we a re stra n g ers i n our neighbourhood.”

Part icip a nt 1 (ma rket tra d e r) re s p on d in g to q u e stio n 1 : Pa r ti c i p a nt 5 (Br i c k La n e b u si n ess op era tor of Oa t Coffee Br i c k La n e) resp on d i n g to q u esti o ns 1 and 2: “In a ll honesty, it ha s n’t b e e n e a sy a t a ll. I h a ve be e n a l o cal h e re fo r n e ar l y 30 ye ars , l i v i n g j u st a few m i n utes’ wa l k away from the ma r ket. I b e lieve I s p e a k on b e h al f of al m o st eve r y trade r l i ke m e. Th e re ntal co st s are a s i g n i fi ca nt

“ Yep, g entr i fi ca ti on m a d e l i vi n g a n d wor ki n g a rou n d th e a rea i n c l u d i n g Br i c k La n e very pricy. Rents have shot up

burden a nd a re wha t b a re ly ke e p my b u s in e s s a flo at. Wh i l e t h e re ge n e rat i o n ef fo r t s m i ght appe ar ai m e d at ai d i n g u s,

m a ki n g i t tou g h for u s b u si n ess own ers.”

traders , a nd b us ine s s op e ra tors , we d o n ot e ntire l y o btai n t h e be nef i t s . So, ye s , t h at ’s my pe rs o n al take o n t h e i m p a c t of g entrifica tion on ou r wor k in g s p a ce s .”

“ In term s of tou r i sts, I see m a ny a rou n d th e a rea a n d a t ou r coffee sh op. Wi th m ore vi si tors, the focus has shifted away from th e Ben g a l i c u l tu re th a t u sed to b e a si g n i fi ca nt p a r t of th i s a rea . More vi si tors m ea n increased demand, leading

Part icip a nt 2 (ma rket tra d e r) re s p on d in g to q u e sti o n s 1 and 2 :

to h i g h er p r i ces, w h i c h , i f you a sk m e, i s a p osi ti ve to a n ex tent. However, on th e fl i p si d e, smaller businesses like ours

20

strugg le to cop e wi th th e h ig h op e ra tin g costs a n d t h e s e c h ange s .”

21

c l osen ess a n d sh a red h i stor y th a t h a s b een a ffec ted by th e c h a n g i n g l a n d sca p e. Th ei r sentiments underscore the si g n i fi ca n ce of g entr i fi ca ti on , ca u si n g a sen se of d i sp l a cem ent a n d estra n g em ent w i th i n the neighbourhood they once

Part icip a nt 6 (Brick La n e b u s in e s s op e ra tor of Ba n gl ade s h i re staurant A m ar G ao n) re s po ndi ng to que st i o n 2 :

ca l l ed h om e.

“Alt houg h ma ny intern a tion a l vis itors a n d n on - local s co m e to di ne i n t h e are a fro m t i m e to t i m e, i t i s to u gh to w i tn ess

Ad d i ti on a l l y, l oca l vi si tors h a ve n oted a c l ea r sh i ft i n th e com m u n i ty a tm osp h ere, n oti n g a decline in familiarity among

t he neg lect of Brick La n e’s Be n g a li cu ltu re. Wh a t t h i s are a e m bo di e d ye ars ago i s not ref l e c t i ve of i t s pre s e nt sta te.”

fa ces a n d a p ercei ved wea ken i n g of soc i a l con n ec ti on s. Th i s tra n sform a ti on h a s sti rred a sense of disconnection and exc l u si on , i n d i ca ti n g a d ep a r tu re from th e coh esi ve com m u n i ty fa b r i c th ese sp a ces on ce embodied.

Part icip a nt 7 (loca l ma r ket vis itor) re s p on d in g to qu e st i o n s 3 and 4 : Th e a m a l g a m a ti on of th ese resp on ses p rovi d es u s w i th a n u a n ced p i c tu re of th e rep erc ussions of gentrification and “Cha ng es d ue to g e ntr ifica tion h a ve h a d a n imp ac t o n t h e v i be aro u nd Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket. Th e re i s t h i s new s h een w i th

d em og ra p h i c sh i fts. Wh i l e econ om i c c h a n g es a n d i n c rea sed tou r i sm h a ve b rou g ht b oth benefits and challenges, the

numerous hig h-end s h op s , b u t wh a t’s la ck in g is th e s e ns e of co m m u ni t y, t h at stro n g fe e l i n g of to get h e rn e s s t h a t u sed to

sen se of com m u n i ty, b el on g i n g a n d c u l tu ra l h er i ta g e a p p ea rs to h a ve u n d erg on e a si g n i ficant transformation, leaving

def ine the a rea . It h a s ta ke n a h it. Th e re is le s s fa m i l i ar i t y am o n g face s , a pe rce i ve d de c l i ne i n t h e s e n s e of co n n ec ti on ,

footp r i nts a m on g th ose w h o on ce th r i ved i n th ese c l ose- kn i t n ei g h b ou r h ood s. Th ese responses emphasise the need

and a n increa s e in s ocia l exclu s ion . Th is is my p e rs pe c t i ve ; ot h e rs m ay h ave di f fe re nt ex pe r i e n ce s an d pe rce pti on s.”

for a m ore h ol i sti c a p p roa c h th a t b a l a n ces econ om i c d evel op m ent w i th th e p reser va ti on of cultural heritage and the n u r tu r i n g of com m u n i ty ti es.

To conclud e this ch a pte r, th rou g h th e exa min a tio n of t h e v i ew po i nt s ex pre s s e d by var i o us i n di v i dual s co nn ec ted to Spita lfield s Ma rket a n d Br ick La n e, a mu ltifa cete d n arrat i ve e m e rge s , ref l e c t i ng t h e co m pl ex i m pac t of ge ntr i fi ca ti on and the d yna mic co mmu n ity s h ifts in th e s e a re a s .

Market tra d ers voiced th e ir str u g g le s d u e to r is in g co st s , h i gh l i ght i ng h ow re ge ne rat i o n ef fo r t s i nte nde d to s uppor t th em m ight not fully a d dre s s th e ir d ifficu ltie s . Th e ir exp e r i e nce s s h e d l i ght o n t h e f i n an c i al strai ns face d by l o ng-sta n d i n g lo cals , revea ling the limita tion s of re g e n e ra tion in i t i at i ve s .

Regenera tion a s un d e rstood p rovid e s vib ra n cy to t h e are a fo r co m m un i t i e s but st i m ul ate s t h e i nf l u x of to u r i sts w h i c h pres ents a d oub le-e d g e d sword for s ma ll b u s in e s s e s . Wh i l e i t i n c re as e s bu s i n e s s pro s pe c t s to a de gre e, i t com es at t h e cost of overs h a d owin g a n d , in s ome ca s e s , di l u t i ng t h e au t h e nt i c c ul t u ral i de nt i t y t h at o nce def i ned th ese ne ig hb ourhood s .

Resid ents , p a rticular ly th os e of Be n g a li h e r ita g e h i gh l i ghte d t h e e ro s i o n of co m m u ni t y bo n ds , re m i n i s c i ng abo u t th e

22

Con cl u si on

23

Biblio graphy

BO O K S To conclud e this d is s e r ta tion , th e exp lora tion of Spi tal f i e l ds Mar ket ’s evo l ut i o n and i t s i m pac t o n t h e s u rrou n d i n g

Delanty, Gerard, ‘Community’, Taylor and Francis Group, 2003

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ne ig hb ourhood , the inte rcon n e cte d n e s s b etwe e n e co n o m i c i nte re st s and c u l t ural h e r i tage e m e rge s as a pi votal th em e.

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Steinfeld, Edward, and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive

The historica l journey of Sp ita lfie ld s Ma r ket, from i t s o r i gi ns as a l o cal m ar ket fo r fre s h pro duce to i t s c urre nt sta tu s a s

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Environments, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2012

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(online) https://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/the-role-of-east-london-in-the-industrial-

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69

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70

Fo r l o cal co m m u ni t i e s to t hr i ve w i th

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