A Changing Canvey

There are several components contributing to a transformed Canvey Island. Even if nothing is done, sea level rise, urbanisation, and an ageing population will force change upon the island. The question is, will the citizens do anything about it? These scenarios can be seen as problems but are invitations to rebuild and create a new story for an island destined to be taken back by the sea.

SEA LEVEL RISE

In Landscape Architecture for Sea Level Rise, Newman and Qiao outline different case studies worldwide leading to climate remediation through landscape solutions. They break up strategies within each case study into structural, non-structural, and hybrid solutions. Every case study has many solutions that combine to create an overall plan. The book lays out a menu of options for places like Canvey and backs them up with many case studies.

Ageing Population

The world is going through a social transformation as well as a climate transformation. The baby boomers, defined as children born after World War II between 1946 -1964, make up the largest age group of the world’s population. As this generation gets older and passes on, coupled with growing urbanisation, suburban and rural communities will become much smaller.

There are slightly larger communities of ageing populations in suburban and rural areas (21%) compared to urban areas (16%). (Defra, 2020) 80% of older people also want to stay in their homes as they age (Moore, 2014), leading to excessive empty rooms in single-family homes in these neighbourhoods. This trend will lead to many abandoned homes when people pass away due to several factors, including lower demand for single-family housing, housing that is not attractive to younger generations, and housing that has not been built to last.

These trends are only beginning to add strain to real estate markets and the built environment and will continue to change slowly for the next 20-30 years. After 2050, the changes will become more immediate and intense as most of the population declines.

46% people will be 65+ in 20 years of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated 25%

80% of people 75+ are classified as inactive of older people want to stay living in their current home

Architecture Becomes Landscape

As stated previously, urbanisation shows that more people are choosing to live in cities while suburban and rural communities are getting smaller. The ageing population and young people moving to cities leave Canvey Island with many abandoned properties. If houses cannot be filled with new families coming at the same rate as people passing away, what happens to those structures?

Detroit, Michigan, in the USA, is one of the most visible examples of large numbers of abandoned properties left for nature to appropriate. These properties have become a massive issue for local governments as they see significant anti-social behaviour. Some properties have been left so long that books have been written showing trees and ivy taking over whole neighbourhood blocks. (Brooky, 2019)