W19P310

GROWING POPLAR

AN URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK AND VISION FOR POPLAR: A SUSTAINABLE AND LOCAL MARKETPLACE Group J2 H e l e n C a r t e r, S i k k h a r i n i C i n t a n t y a d w i s t h i , L a u r e n L a w s o n , L i l i P a n d o l f i , Z i x u a n X i o n g

CONTENT Our Why: The Challenges and Opportunities in Poplar 3 Introduction 4 History 5 Land Use Analysis 8 Movement Analysis 9 Connectivity Analysis 10 SWOT Analysis 11 Our What: A Vision for Poplar as a Local Marketplace 13 Site-wide Strategies 14 Strategy Map 15 Masterplan 16 Our how: Detailed Propositions of the Strategies 17 Connectivity Strategy 18 Public Space Strategy 30 Green Space Strategy 38 Local Economy Strategy 46 Housing Strategy 54 Phasing 56 Phases 57 Bridge Phasing 58 Funding 59 Conclusions 60 Contributions 62

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

01.

O U R W H Y: THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF POPLAR

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A. INTRODUCTION The site area is split over the wards of Poplar and East India and Lansbury, which are located in the Borough of Tower Hamlets, north of Canary Wharf. As of the 2011 Census, the population of these two wards totaled 21,816, the majority of which are of working age.

The ethnicity of residents of the area is generally mixed, with the Bangladeshi community making up the biggest ethnic group, at 40% of the total population.

We used a mixture of observations, interviews and statistical data analysis to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the site. Through interviews it became clear that markets were a point of pride for local residents. Interviewees also raised that their wellbeing had decreased in recent years, which they attributed to ethnic divisions within the community.

As a result, our proposal attempts to connect the area both physically and socially, and to revitalise the local markets that are so central to the area’s identity.

East India Dock Road (Highway A13) Poplar Recreation Ground

Poplar Bath

All Saints DLR Station

All Saints Church

Poplar High Street

Highway A12 Poplar DLR Station

Billingsgate Market

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Over 50% of the residents in the site live in social rented accommodation, suggesting that a large proportion live in low income households. The unemployment rate in East India and Lansbury is the highest within Tower Hamlets at 18.8%, indicating that local employment opportunities are low, or inaccessible.

Chrisp Street Market

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B. HISTORY THE DOCKLANDS The Docklands has been an integral part of Poplar’s economic and social life over the last centuries. Since their establishment in the early 1800s, the West and East India Docks formed the heartland of London’s import/export economy, as well as providing an industrial space for ship building and warehousing. These two docks surround the Poplar area and, during the 19th century, formed an integral part of Poplar’s socio-economic activity and identity. Due to Poplar’s waterway links, it was also the first point of call for many immigrants arriving in London and was the site of the first China Town in London.

However, due to the deindustrialisation of the British economy and the shift towards a service economy during the 20th century, much of the Docklands’ original industrial activities ceased, and the area was left with reduced economic opportunities for the local population.

Poplar is now physically separated from its Dockland history due to the construction of the A1261 Aspen Way, which divides the North and South of the site.

Line of connectivity Heritage sites

THE LOCAL MARKETPLACE Another element of Poplar’s heritage, and the wider history of the East End, is the presence of markets. There are two major markets in the site; Billingsgate and Chrisp Street Market.

Billingsgate was set up in 1699 and was one of three ancient markets in London. In 1982 Billingsgate was moved to the Poplar site, three miles east of the original site.

Chrisp Street Market is located on the North of the site, and was built in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain and designed by Frederick Gibberd. Since 1997 the market has been part of a conservation area. Despite the lack of investment in Chrisp Street Market in recent years, to this day it is the liveliest part of Poplar, and a place which, when interviewed, many residents said was their favorite part of Poplar.

POPLAR HIGH STREET Located between West India Quay and Chrisp Street Market, Poplar High Street is another central element to the area’s history. Until the late 19th century, Poplar High Street was the principal street of the area. However, since the 1930s processes of street widening and the construction of public housing estates has dramatically altered the street’s form.

What’s more, during the Second World War, much of Poplar was bombed, including areas of Poplar High Street. Poplar High Street now has ceased to function as a high-street, the main retail activity moving to East India Dock Road.

OUR VISION: THE 21ST CENTURY MARKETPLACE Our vision for the Poplar design framework and masterplan is to reconnect Poplar to three elements of its heritage: 1) The Docklands 2) The Markets (Billingsgate and Chrisp Street) 3) Poplar High Street We aim to do this by: - Improving the physical connectivity between the Docklands, Poplar High Street and Chrisp Street Market - Reviving the ‘local market’ economy’ through the promotion of local food production along Poplar High Street to be sold and used in Billingsgate and Chrisp Street markets - Improving the economic connection of supply and demand between Billingsgate, Poplar High Street and Chrisp Street Market

Line of connectivity Heritage sites

B. HISTORY

CONNECTING POPLAR’S HERITAGE

Line of connectivity Heritage sites

A N A LY S I S

Residential use is the most dominant use existing in Poplar, with mixed-use buldings of commercial and residential use as the second most dominant, and commercial and office use concentrated towards Canary Wharf. The location of Chrisp Street Market as the only commercial centre in the middle of Poplar reflects its importance to the life of Poplar residents. Similarly, the sizeable Poplar Recreation Park also presents opportunities for further development.

Below we have also identified sites which are currently being underused as the location of our interventions.

Mixed use Residential Commercial Office

Institutional School Place of worship Potential for development

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

C. LAND USE

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D. MOVEMENT

This area provides good east/west connectivity due to existing east India Dock road (A13) and West India Dock Road (A1261), which are vital links between the Eastern Thames and city of London. However, these two roads become barriers to separate poplar’s south side from its north side, resulting in a poor north/south connectivity. what’s more, the DLR tracks placed on the ground in poplar, thereby decreasing accessibility inside the poplar.

There are many bus stops concentrated on East India Dock Road, reflective of high traffic of both pedestrian and vehicle. however most signal-controlled crossings on this road are two stage staggered, making it hard to cross to the other-side of Poplar, physically segregating the area.

A N A LY S I S

Additionaly, Pedestrian route connecting Poplar and Canary Wharf is unclear.

Main road, secondary and tertiary

Walking time

5 mins walk

10 mins walk 5 mins walk

10 mins walk

5 mins walk

DLR track as barrie between areas

Bus stops and DLR stations

10 mins walk

10 mins walk Mixed use Residential Commercial Office Institutional School Place of worship Potential for development

Main road Secondary road Tertiary road Bus stop

North area South area East area West area

DLR station Walk time from Poplar High Street Walk time from Chrisp market DLR Track

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

5 mins walk

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E. CONNECTIVITY A N A LY S I S There are two ways to pass through the highway A1261 or the DLR track, one is using the underpass on the east side, another one is crossing over the footbridge on the west side. Both lack accessibility and inconvenient for wheelchair users. The footbridge is built by the contractors of canary wharf, and the side of the bridge nearest to poplar is blocked due to construction work. This causes inconvenience to poplar’s residents.

residential area

pedestrian facility

public area

green space

railway/highway

pedestrian path

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Billingsgate market is located in Poplar’s south side and next to the Poplar DLR station. Iit is the UK’s largest inland fish market and used to be the largest fish market in the world. Nevertheless, this market was not being fully exploited as an area that can offer more employment opportunities for local people, owing to problems of accessibility and legibility.

Also, entry to Poplar DLR station/ Billingsgate market from poplar is seriously impeded by poor pedestrian connectivity, creating problems of perceived lack of safety and accessibility.

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F. S W OT A N A LY S I S

Threats

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Opportunities

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Disconnect betrween Poplar and Canary Wharf A disconnected and disjointed community with exasperated tensions Proximity to Canary Wharf – may invade and disrupt Risk of gentrification as outcome of any improvements to the area Pressures from GLA to densify due to increase in housing unit Reduction of green space to inhabitant ratio from increased housing density Traffic congestion Connectivity: easily accessible by people who are wealthier than the local community - improvements may draw in rich visitors

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Chrisp Street Market Billingsgate Market Poplar High Street and its heriatage Garage space and car parking Green spaces including Poplar recreation ground and the park around All Saints Church Existing allotments Good connections through transport links (bus and DLR) Clustered housing opportunity to develop semiprivate community space Possibility of connecting the public green space with blue spaces outside the area via green corridor New space in Poplar: Idea store and Lansbury micro museum (offer extra cirricular activities) New City College Campus: young population, benefits local economy, enterpreneurial potential Proximity to Canary Wharf and new crossrail station

THREATS

Located in the urban heat island Mostly retail only along East India Dock road Lack of blue space Noise and air pollutions from the highway A1261 Lack of connectivity between south side and north side of Poplar Some backstreets have degrade quality of public space Semi-private communal space are not maintained Orientation of buildings with respect to others. (such as issue of car parking apce, and lack of safety and leigibility from passive frontage) Combined cycling and bus routes Not enough visual connections to encourage pedestrains to walk to other areas Accessible infrastructure not well-maintained 72.41% of block area is residential and most of area are designed for cars

OPPORTUNITIES

Poplar Baths as a centre for the current community Diversity of culture Strength within smaller established and longstanding communities Strong heriatage of the East End markets East india dock road is varied in day and night use Good mix of housing typologies Good variety of pblic services in the site area The large block pattern of residential buildings that is permeable for residents but impermeable for nonresidents creats the sense of privacy and security Large open space Scale of buildings is harmonious Some good quality front and back garden - improves space quality of streets; Many residents are lifelong residents - potential for community building

WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS

F. S W OT A N A LY S I S

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Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

02.

O U R W H A T: A VISION FOR POPLAR AS A LOCAL MARKETPLACE

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SITE-WIDE STRATEGY ENABLING THE LOCAL MARKETPLACE

Our vision is to reinstate Poplar as a thriving and sustainable local marketplace, which makes use of the economic, environmental and social assets that already exist within the local community.

Our strategies of connectivity, green space, public space and local economy connect to each other in the following ways:

Green Spaces

Markets

Local Economy

1) Green spaces support/ sustain the markets through providing food supply, either to sell directly to consumers in Chrisp Street Market or to sell wholesale to restaurants in Billingsgate 2) Public spaces support the functions of these two markets through offering enjoyable, accessible and safe spaces to enjoy goods purchased there 3) Public spaces must include green and/or blue space to make them enjoyable and healthy environments 4) Improving the physical connectivity between these three elements encourages consumers to spend more time in the site, helping to drive demand and growth 5) Strengthening the flows of supply and demand between Chrisp Street Market, Billingsgate and local productive green paces, offers the potential for new jobs for the local population and helps to embed a local, sustainable economy In order for our Local Marketplace strategy to thrive, we need the buy-in of the local community, who will provide much of the work-force for new businesses in Billingsgate, Chrisp Street market and our park bridge.

Public Spaces

As such, our strategy focuses on enhancing the existing assets of Poplar: its market and Docklands heritage, Billingsgate, and most improtantly its diverse local population.

HOUSING Having spent a lot of time interviewing local residents in our SWOT analysis of Poplar, we heard many concerns over relocation of homes due to planned regeneration. Our proposal aims to minimise the upheaval of local residents, instead offering housing interventions on a site which is currently underutilised next to Billingsgate.

Connectivity Mixed strategy Green space Public Space Local economy Housing

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Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

03.

OUR HOW: DETAILED PROPOSITIONS OF THE STRATEGIES

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A. CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY In order for each of our separate strategies of green space, public space, local economy and housing to work and thrive, we need to improve the pedestrian and cycling connectivity round the site. Currently the North and Sout of the site is divided by Aspen Way, physically segregating Poplar from its Dockland heritage, and from the economic opportunities of Canary Wharf. Improving the connectivity within the site will create a more cohesive space, encouraging consumers and residents to spend more time within Poplar. This will not only benefit the local economy - encouraging consumers to spend more time and therefore money within the area - but also the social cohesion of the area.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

From a process of interviewing around 30 Poplar residents in our research stage, we discovered that social division, especially between the Bangladeshi and White working Class communities was a pertinent issue that needed resolving. Through creating more spatial connections within the site, we hope to ease this segregation.

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pedestrian facility

public area

green space

railway/highway

pedestrian path

PHYSICAL CONNECTIVITY

proposed platform area

residential area

pedestrian facility

public area

green space

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

residential area

C U R R E N T P R O P O S E D

pedastrain path

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SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY

proposed platform area

residential area A

residential area B

residential area D

non-residential area

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

residential area C

pedastrain path 20

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

CONNECTING INTO POPLAR - INCREASING PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLING ACCESS IN MING STREET During our site observations, we noted pedestrian behaviour within the site, and specifically along Poplar High Street towards Ming Street. Pedestrians frequently exited and entered Poplar through Ming Street, however there was no pedestrian path offering safe access.

We therefore propose to build a pedestrian path along Ming Street leading into Poplar High Street to increase accessibility to the site.

The proposed path is depicted in the left-hand side of the illustration.

We also noted that there were strips of deserted green denoting a feeling of placelessness. We propose to define the edges of the road, by creating a small site for food production and allotments, (left-hand side of illustration), and a small public site, with seating and a path for those working within the allotments (right-hand side).

These interventions link to our other strategies of Green Space and Public Space. Defining the edges increases the legibility of the site, and therefore encourages pedestrians to walk towards the centre of Poplar.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

CONNECTING INTO POPLAR - INCREASING PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLING ACCESS IN MING STREET

Whilst making site observations, we also noted a desire line on the strip of grass in the entrance to Ming Street from Poplar High Street. This proved another indication that a pedestrian path was needed, on both sides of the road, to improve connectivity and accessibility.

What’s more, the Cycle Super Highway passes through Ming Street, into Poplar High Street, but is not well defined or visibile to users. This is especially true when we compare it to the demarcation of the Cycle Super Highway along the North Bank of the Thames.

We propose a low cost intervention to rectify the lack of visibility, to both cyclists and motorists, of the cycle path. We will create a solid lane of colour along Ming Street and Poplar High Street to increase visibility. This is depicted in the centre of the illustration.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY INCREASING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO POPLAR RECREATION GROUND

When attempting to navigate the site, we noticed the southern entrance to Poplar Recreation Ground is not very visible to pedestrians. We propose to widen the southern entrance, but removing one of the Bowling Green’s portable buildings situated to the left-hand side of the existing entrance. We will create a new archway to the entrance with the words ‘Poplar Park’ in metal across the top. This type of signage is used further down Poplar High Street on the entrance to Will Crooks Estate, and will be in keeping with the street’s asthetic.

We propose to involve the local schools in the regeneration project by getting them to design and create a mosaic on the entrance floor to Poplar Park using recycled materials. Again, we have taken inspiration from Will Crooks Estate here, as young people from New Park College designed a mural painted there. This mosaic will help to improve visibility to the park, and ties in with our aim to create an environmentally sustaianble area through the use of recylced materials.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

INCREASING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BETWEEN POPLAR BATHS AND THE NEW TOWN SQUARE - EAST INDIA DOCK ROAD 172 E India Dock Rd

A common feature along both east India Dock Road and Poplar High Street is the use of railings to separate pedestrian walkways from the central road. This is especially the case on the pedestrian crossing to Poplar Baths.

These railings create a sense of enclosure for pedestrians, making the feeling of walking around the site unpleasant. Not only this, but the presence of bollards and railings can encourage motorists to go faster.

London, England

Existing crossing on East India Dock Road

Image capture: Oct 2015

© 2019 Google

Google Street View

/

Inspiration for new crossing

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

INCREASING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BETWEEN POPLAR BATHS AND THE NEW TOWN SQUARE - EAST INDIA DOCK ROAD

To rectify the issue of excessive railings, we propose to remove the bollards and railings and replace them with softer barriers, such as plantings and shrubbery. We will also put crossings that create a sense of shared space between motorists and pedestrians along East India Dock Road and Poplar High Street. Creating shared space is an effective traffic calming intervention. The crossing will be made out of brick, and will be slightly raised, encouraging motorists to slow down.

We also propose to make the road single lane in both directions in the lead up to the crossroads between East India Dock Road and Chrisp Street. In place of the current traffic light system, we propose to put a small roundabout to control the traffic at this crossroads.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

INCREASING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM CANARY WHARF/ POPLAR STATION

The entrance to Poplar from the existing bridge crossing Aspen Way is also univiting for pedestrians. The walkway from Castor Lane to Poplar High Street rapidly narrows, and does not offer a clear end visibility point for pedestrians. This makes the route illegible from Poplar Station towards north Poplar and Chrisp Street Market.

We propose to widen this path, removing the ‘Workhouse’ building, and removing one of the football pitches on the site. In their place, we will make use of the existing green space, by creating a cohesive path from Castor Lane to Poplar High Street. We will keep one football pitch for local residents and students of the neighbouring New Park College.

Through opening up this space, and creating a green walkway, we hope to make the route more visible from Poplar Station towards the economic hubs of Poplar. This green pathway will connect with the green path through Poplar Recreation Park to create a green corridor of connectivity for pedestrians.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

INCREASING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM CANARY WHARF/ POPLAR STATION

Existing corridor between Castor Lane and Poplar High Street.

We propose to remove the building on the right-hand side.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM BILLINGSGATE PLATFORM TO POPLAR STATION To connect the Billingsgate and housing redevelopment sites to the existing bridge between Canary Wharf and Poplar DLR, we propose to extend the Park Bridge to create a raised platform walkway alongside the redevelopment site.

This platform walkway will offer a multi-purpose public space, with the opportunity for outdoor seating and pop-up stalls during the summer seasons. To involve the local community in this process, we encourage students from New Park College and young people in Poplar to set up temporary start-up stalls.

The platform will branch off to connect to the first floor of the housing development, and into a semi-public space and playground within the housing estate.

The other branch will connect to the existing bridge to Poplar Station, offering a complete circle of connectivity for pedestrians.

CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM BILLINGSGATE PLATFORM TO POPLAR STATION

As a relatively low-cost intervention, we propose to transform the existing bridge between Canary Whart and Poplar DLR, by greening both the inside and outside of the bridge. This will help to improve access to green space in the area. It will also create a legible pathway from the Billingsgate redevelopment to Chrisp street market, as it continues the green corridor that runs from Castor Lane to Poplar recreation Ground.

What’s more, the height of the Billingsgate and housing development offers a visual transition between the stark contrast of the Canary Wharf skyscrapers, and the relatively low-rise built environment of Poplar. It will therefore spatially and visually improve the connection between Poplar and neighbouring Canary Wharf. Many interviewees sited the stark visual contrast between Canary Wharf and Poplar as a source of emotional discomfort, negatively impacting their wellbeing.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

B. PUBLIC SPACE STRATEGY

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PUBLIC REALM ENHANCEMENT PLAYFULNESS Through interviews with locals, we discovered that a lack of safety has led to the disuse of public spaces in Poplar. We hope to remedy this perception by encouraging families to reclaim these public spaces. We have therefore incorporated a sense of playfulness in our designs to appeal to children.

The jet fountains that surround the central sculpture in East India Square offer a space for children to play in the summertime. Asymetrical layers are a recurring theme in the designs, providing opportunities for play in both adult and child-oriented spaces (Billingsgate steps and playscape).

This is inspired by Noguchi’s playscapes: layered and sloped landscapes with no prescriptive furniture.

To enable the success of the market renovations we are carrying out, the public realm in surrounding areas will be enhanced. Market-goers are more likely to consume goods in the market if they have enjoyable spaces nearby where they can consume. We are offering an abundance of seating in these areas, with a variety of seating options for large and medium size groups as well as singular seating which is movable. In keeping with the sustainable theme of our vision, wood was chosen as a material for seating throughout the project.

LEGIBILITY Existing public spaces in Poplar are generally amorphous and lack clear lines of movement. In our designs, street furniture and urban gardens take on triangular and curved shapes give definition to public spaces. Our designs imply certain paths within public spaces that correspond with connectivity routes between intervention areas and also conform to desire lines.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

SUPPORTING MARKET FUNCTIONS

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PUBLIC SPACE STRATEGY CHRISP STREET MARKET

The revitalisation of Chrisp street market involves the redesign of its surrounding public space. We have incorporated the play are into the market as part of our effort to increase perceptions of safety in the area and to incite visits from families. With various seating arrangements, visitors can sit whilst enjoying the space and potentially consuming goods from the market. Children may engage with a playground that is visible from the tables and seats, allowing parents to watch over their children.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

We propose few changes to the existing market space. The roof will be raised by 2 meters in order to increase sunlight into the market and visibility from surrounding homes, with the intention of enhancing safety and the visibility of the space from its surroundings.

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PUBLIC SPACE STRATEGY EAST INDIA SQUARE

East India Square has an under-utilised potential for community-building in Poplar, through its possible role as a town square. It also offers the opportunity to provide market-goers with a pleasant place to relax.

Trees are added to the space to create enclosure. We have moved the library’s entrance to face the square instead of Chrisp Street, making the square’s frontage more active.

Accessibility to the square is increased by removing railings and adding a crossing through East India Dock Road. More lamp posts will add a sense of safety at night time.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

With generous seating options, the square provides an area where shoppers from Chrisp Street market can sit and enjoy their food. It offers a calm environment thanks to blue and green spaces (fountain, trees & gardens). There are also utilitarian functions to these features; the fountain creates a point of focus and also encourages playfulness and active engagement with the space. The green spaces and seating create definition and legibility. Some seating is mobile to provide flexibility and choice.

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PUBLIC SPACE STRATEGY BILLINGSGATE PUBLIC SPACE

East of Billingsgate Market, we are creating a public open space where the bridge’s platform becomes a series of asymetrical steps and a canalside plaza. The space is sparse to allow for a diversity of uses and therefore a diversity of visitors. We have created seating near the entrance to provide a convenient space for market-goers to sit and consume goods from the market.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

We are providing large asymetrical steps to inspire active engagement with the space, giving it a playful feel. The ramp can also enhance this quality, whilst increasing the accessibility of the site to disabled visitors. On the other hand, the steps may be used for passive engagement: for reading, people watching or contemplating the blue and green space in the surroundings. Trees line the edge of the space to provide enclosure and seclusion from the road nearby. This space applies our overall strategy of providing peaceful, community-centered spaces that support the economic functions of Poplar’s markets.

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PUBLIC SPACE STRATEGY

HOUSING PUBLIC/PRIVATE SPACE AND PLAYSCAPE

The idea of a playful public/private space is inspired by the Barbican Estate’s Lakeside Terrace. The space is positioned inside an enclave of private space but is accessible to the public. Green and blue space are included in the design to inspire a peaceful atmosphere. Visibility of the space from surrounding residences enhances safety, which is particularly important for a child-friendly envrionment.

The steps that protrude out of a shallow pond (see above) follow the desire line of the space, and also enhance the sense of playfulness.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

In line with the objective of creating playful spaces for both young and old, we have proposed a “playscape” in the housing estate, inspired by Noguchi’s designs. The top layer is connected to the platform which runs through the housing estate and Billingsgate Market. Asymetrical layers curve downwards to provide playful access to the public/private green space on the ground floor.

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Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

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C. GREEN SPACE STRATEGY

Poplar has been identified as an area deficient in access to nature. Further, the six large public green spaces which do exist are then poorly connected and fragmented for wildlife, biodiversity and humans. The two largest areas: All Saints park and Poplar recreation ground have also been considered low in biodiversit. There is a signifact need to improve the quality and quantitiy of Geeen Space within Poplar.

- increasing access to green space for residents health and well-being - increasing corridoors for wildlife -creating high quality green spaces which are both biodiverse in native species and support local - create prodcutive green spaces which underpin the local marketplace economy base and strategy, rooted in Poplar’s heriatage as market.

-connect Poplar through with a common theme and purpose around green space and local growing to create a ‘sense of place’ and identity.

This map highlights the green spaces which will be the areas of focus for this strategy. These were identified in out SWOT map as either weaknesses or opportunities. Each site then has a different strategy which is place-based and has been evaluated induvidually based on the induvidual needs of the area localised surrounding area. The areas highlighted are a mixture of existing low quality green spaces, sites which we propose are redeveloped from parking and garaged and currently disused brownfield land.

The document will now go on to detail these design proposals for each site and how they each contribute to the wider strategy.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The green space straregy is not only related increasing the area of green space but as a key driver for all of our staregies to regenrate Poplar into a local and sustainable market place, celebrating it’s heriatgae in a 21st century way and giving it a reinvigorated identity! Our green space strategy is therefore related to health, well-being, the environment, connectivity and the economy as part of our wider vision for the area. Our green space staregy aims are to:

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY

R E P U R P O S E D G A R A G E S / G R O W I N G & T R A D I N G P O P U P S PA C E S O N P O PLAR HIGH STREET This part of the strategy is about reinvigoating Poplar high street for the 21st century as part of our wider strategy to regnerate the local economy with local food growing and produce selling buisnesses.

Here, we plan to demolish the 11 garages which back onto Poplar high street to open up the street.

We then plan to create a new wide pedestrian crossing across Poplar high street to make it a pedestrian first space.

The garages at the farther side of the site will then open up onto the street will be repurposed as small spaces for pop-up businesses and flexible use spaces to regnerate the high street as part of the heriatage fo the area.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The area between the pavement and these garages will then be resurfaced to create a shared space for people with allotments and seating to encourage lingering and reactive the street life.

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY

R E P U R P O S E D G A R A G E S / G R O W I N G & T R A D I N G P O P U P S PA C E S O N P O PLAR HIGH STREET

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Below are more illustrations of the proposed new area of public space off Poplar high street, shoing the repurposed garages creating active frontage and nd new open space off Poplar high street where people can linger.

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY POPLAR RECREATION GROUND Poplar recreation ground was identified as one of the higher quality green spaces within Poplar, with existing rectreational activities including tennis courts, a bowls court, a play centre and mosque.

The tree coverage is also very high here to support biodiversity.

However, we identified that an existing car park which we propose to turn into more allotment space. This will mirror the existing allotment space in the other side of the road to extend the theme as part of Poplar’s identity.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The map shows the area highlighted on the below and the illustration shows the vision for Poplar recreation ground.

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY

FUEL STATION & ALL SAINTS COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The vision is to demolish the existing TEXACO fuel station. With the transition away from fossil fuel use we propose a repurposing of this space for use as allotments by residents in the area.

There is also a historic wall which we propose could be a great place to add some street art or signage-to say ‘WELCOME TO POPLAR’ . This will provide a large space in close proximity to all saints park, which we propose to leave in its extisting state as a green space for public life.

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY RESIDENTIAL ALLOTMENT SPACES

This part of the strategy is spread across six different sitesin Poplar which we idntified as being low quality green spaces and saw an opportunity to transform them into prodcutive spaces for residents. These sites are highlighted in the map below. The illustrations show two examples of our visions for two of these spaces.

Here we propose the demolition of garages between houses at the top of poplar high street, the resurfacing of the space between the houses in permeable paving anf the creation of an orchard tree line down the cente of the space. There will then be allotment planters for the residnents to use. This space will bring people together and become productive as part of the areas wider strategy.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Here we propose to transform the current low-quality green space inbetween residential buildings into allotment spaces.

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY BILLINGSGATE ORCHARD & COMMERCIAL GROWING

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The space between the Billingsgate regeneration and the A12 will be a ground floor area sandwhiched between the road and the back of the Billinggate regenration proposals. This space will be walled in away from the road like a ‘secret garden’ or ‘glade’ and then turned into an orchard and commercial growing space for the businesses in the regenrated Billingsgate market to grow local and fresh produce. This will transform the area from a non-productive peice of brownfield land into a productive space for growing as well as for people to relax and connect with nature.

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GREEN SPACE STRATEGY BRIDGE

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The proposed bridge could provide extra green space for the local residents. a large quantity of vegetation would be planted along the bridge, and its pattern are triangel shape that is similar to newly designed vegetation area in the Chrisp market. In addition, the roofs of all functional buildings on the bridge would be planted with green plants.

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Connectivity Mixed strategy Green space Productive green space Public Space Local economy Housing Supply flows

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

D. LOCAL ECONOMY STRATEGY

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LOCAL ECONOMY STRATEGY SITE-WIDE STRATEGY One of the main threats to Poplar is the encroaching gentrification due to its proximity to Canary Wharf. To combat this we propse a sustainable, local economic strategy, which does not try to copy the model of Canary Wharf, but rather plays to Poplar’s unique community, heritage and economic assets.

One of Poplar’s main assets, in terms of economy, heritage and community cohesion, is the centrality of local markets to the area’s socio-economic life. The two markets - Billingsgate and Chrisp Street - have been highlighted in the diagram below. Our economic model plays on these assets, and proposes a local marketplace as our strategic vision. Another threat facing not only Poplar, but urban areas in general, is the environment. As such, we wanted to ensure that our economic model would be sustainable and serve the local community, rather than provide economic growth for growth’s sake. We will therefore convert underutilised green and brown sites into productive growing spaces to be utilised by local residents and businesses. The details of this strategy are listed in the previous section. However, it is worth noting how the food produced in these sites will contribute to supply flows into Billingsgate and Chrisp Street markets.

Mixed strategy Green space Local economy Supply flows

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

New businesses in the Billingsgate redevelopment, and pop-up SMEs located on the Park Bridge will offer local job opportunities for a variety of skill types. The pop-up stalls proposed on the site of the repurposed garages on Poplar High Street, as well as on the Park Bridge, provide spaces for business start-ups. We encourage collaboration between the local authority and local schools to get young people proposing business ideas for these pop-up spaces.

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Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

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Urban farming will be the main activity on the proposed bridge with an area of about a quarter of the total proposed bridge’s area.

The structure of urban farming room is a sphere with an open door and numerous seating inside, which could be space for local residents and travelers to relax and chat. These space also have economic function to encourage more sustainable as well as productive activities in poplar community.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

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The combination of flower shop and tea cafe could provide a relax and pleasant atmosphere to visitors and residents, and could integrate well with the surrounding green space

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Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

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LOCAL ECONOMY STRATEGY

When looking at heritage, the Docklands featured as a key part of Poplar’s historic and economic identity. Currently, the UK’s largest inland fish market, and one of the ancient markets of London, is located on the Southern side of Poplar.

We aim to make use of this existing asset and make it better service Poplar and the local economy. We will turn Billingsgate into a mix-use space, offering both low-skilled and high skilled employment through the introduction of fish-based restaurants and pop-up economic spaces.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

BILLINGSGATE MARKET

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LOCAL ECONOMY STRATEGY BILLINGSGATE AND CHRISP STREET MARKET

We also plan to incorporate Billingsgate further into the local economy of the area, by using the fish from the market in local cuisine stalls in Chrisp Street Market. Through strengthening the supply and demand connection between Chrisp Street Market and Billingsgate, we hope to bring the economic benefits of Billingsgate into Poplar to benefit the local population.

We hope the use of fish in the local economy can benefit both the white working-class communities and the Bangladeshi community in Poplar. Fish is an integral part of the cuisine of both cultures, and we would therefore encourage a mixture of stalls that represent the diversity of cultures existing in Poplar.

Environmental sustainability is increasingly becoming an important issue to address in planning. Our strategy focuses on the conversion of disused/ underutilized spaces into productive growing spaces.

The food produced in these sites can then be sold either directly to consumers in Chrisp Street Market, or through wholesale to businesses and restaurants within Billingsgate and on the Park Bridge.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The majority of our ‘productive green spaces’ are either on, or near to Poplar High Street. Therefore, much of the ‘supply’ side of the local economy will be produced in Poplar High Street. Through locating the supply aspect of the economy here, we are reconnecting the street to its history as the economic hub of Poplar.

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LOCAL ECONOMY STRATEGY BILLINGSGATE CONNECTIVITY

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Physical connection between Billingsgate Market and the residential development supports market activity and increases revenue of the market. This connection is also designed to increase the number of local Billingsgate customers, as currently Billingsgate has more non-local customers. The new Billingsgate Market will accommodate not only fresh ingredients but also food stalls, thus widening its market segments. This plan works along with the plan to provide mix-tenure schemes for the residential development.

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E. HOUSING STRATEGY Poplar’s proximity with Canary Wharf has not necessarily brought about the kind of development beneficial to existing local residents. As interviews suggested that a significant number of Poplar residents moved outwards, we believe that there is a need for a new housing development that caters to the demographic of Poplar residents. The housing complex will accommodate mixed tenure of 75% affordable and 25% market housing to both fulfill the demand and diversifying the area. Market housing is proposed to make the development viable.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

The proposed residential development will provide more than 480 units situated at the underutilized site next to Billingsgate Market. Four 8-storeys residential buildings will each accommodate the average of 120 units. This height is proposed to act as a transition between the skyline of Canary Wharf and Poplar. To reflect its role as part of Poplar, this development will adapt Poplar’s design identity in terms of material, scale and color. All units will be of similar design, comfort and safety standard with high quality design and planning.

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04.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

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A. PHASES Phase 2 (6-10 years):

• • • •

Building the multi-functional bridge from Poplar high street to all saints DLR station; Building a new platfrom that could connect Billingsgate market to the newly-built bridge Adding more public area and green (productive) space around the market platform; Imroving Poplar high street at west side of Poplar, and the walkway from castor lane to poplar DLR station; Improving utilization of the green space in Poplar recreation ground;

Phase 1 (1-5 years):

Phase 3 ( 11-15 years):

•

•

• • • • •

Building the multi-functional bridge from Poplar high street to Billingsgate market; Renovating design of the current Billingsgate market; Improving utilization of the green spcae around Popar high street; Renovating the public space in Chrisp market and East India square.

Renovating East India Dock road and the pedestrain crossing between all saints DLR station and the East India Square.

Building temporary stair and wheelchair access at the end of the bridge;

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Imroving Poplar high street at east side of Poplar; Buidling the extra residential area;

In progress Completed

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

•

Proposed Multi-functional Bridge Improved Green Space Utilization Renovation design of exisiting infrastructure New construction - public space 56 New construction - Housing

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Phase 2 Phase 3 At the second phase, the bridge will be built from all saints DLR In the last stage, an extra productive green space, urban farstation to the poplar high street to improve the east/west connec- ming area, will be built. This extra space is connected to the tivity in poplar. Since residentaion areas at east side is separa- part built in the first phase. (In the first phase, the primary goal ted from west side by the long and wide railway track. . is to improve the connectivity, hence this space is remained undeveloped for saving money and time.)

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

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C. FUNDING

Funded by funds / local authority

Funded by project revenus

Phasing is based on the funding strategy. intitial phase would be funded by grants and organisations, such as the GLA, while later phases are funded by project revenus.

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Strategy funding framework 2019-2024 (Heritage fund); Good Growth fund (GLA); Commissionnig fund (GLA); Homebuilding Capacity fund (GLA);

In Phase 1, we will regenerate Billingsgate market, which is the UK’s largest inland fish market and used to be the largest fish market in the world. Nevertheless, this market was not being fully exploited as an area that can offer more employment opportunities for local people, owing to problems of accessibility.

The special historical status of Poplar and this market, and potentiality of providing more job opportunities to local residents could be used for applying funding.

The commissioning fund aims to support town centres with strong growth potential, and the homebuilding capacity fund aims to deliver more affordable homes. Both funds could be used to finance part of this framework, such as the renovation of the existing infrascture in Poplar town centre, and the construction of new residential area.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

There are two fundings fit for the project of billingsgate market regeneration and multi-functional bridge construction. One funding is from the Heritage Fund, who’s priority area of community heritage aligns with our project focus. Another fund is from GLA, who provide funding for projects which aim to create more workspace as well as build skills and employability for local people.

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05.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

CONCLUSIONS

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CONCLUSIONS

Our local economic model for Poplar, which is enabled through our various strategies, does not try to immitate the economic activities happening in Canary Wharf and surrounding areas. Instead, we utilized existing opportunities in Poplar to create an embedded economic model that is environmentally sustainable and able to provide jobs for local residents. In this way, we have tried to maintain continuity with the heritage of the area by reviving Poplar’s economic activities in Chrisp Street Market and Billilngsgate Market. In addition, connecting to its heritage as an economic centre, through placing productive green space along Poplar High Street, we economically reinvigorated the street to be more economically active than its current condition.

Our proposed residential development minimised the relocation of local residents despite having repurposed underused areas we have identified.

Throughout the project, we followed the concept of sustainability by increasing the importance of sustaining the well-being of urban population under environmental restriction by using every possible space to provide for the community inhabiting the area.

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

Through our strategies, we achieved our vision to reinstate Poplar as a thriving and sustainable local marketplace which uses the economic, environmnetal and social assets already existing within the local community.

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06.

CONTRIBUTION

Poplar: A Local Marketplace Group J2

All members of our group contributed throughout the whole length of the project.

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