The Resilient Knowledge Borders Corridor Project
Saran Nakwichanon + Hugo Villalobos
+ Programme and Place + Prospectus + Prototype
This project is about knowledge systems, especially in higher education and forms the focus of this project. How can the town and the Central Borders can strengthen educational resources and also for benefit to run in the other direction in providing skills and economic regeneration to the local community? At present students in college do not feel engaged in the local community and after graduation they often do not find compelling reasons to stay in town. This project aims to help to avoid migration, by offering infrastructure (workspace, physical HUBs and workshops facilities) and programmes (startups, incubators, and IDEA Labs). The aim is to retain talent and knowledge and reinvest in the local community to create industry that translate into economic growth for the region.
links to our other projects - Forming Nexus - Knowledge Corridor - Gala Gait - Eol Gala - Cycling Gala - Textile Heritage - Gala Design Hub - Textile Tectonics - Food for Thought - The Well-being Network - The Healthy Connection Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture M.Sc. Advanced Sustainable Design 2015
The new railway presents many opportunities that on its opening must be used to help support the proposal. This includes an innovation park that gathers a student centre, workshop facilities, small startup, offices and exhibition spaces. We are looking to promote a regeneration of an area in town that at present is lacking connection and character. We propose a knowledge corridor, to connect the University to Galashiels downtown is a strong strategy for resilient growth. The closeness of the river is a major asset that we believe must be used as part of the project; both for its cultural and historical heritage and for its natural beauty. A series of small buildings in two sites connected by a corridor of public spaces, with different uses, together with a “river walk� will bring young entrepreneurs, local community and University departments closer together in an attempt to strengthen relationships.