A development strategy to intensify the urban area illustrated by three sites east of the City in London.

As an intensely urban area, Brick Lane forms an indispensible link between the City, London's business and financial centre, and the very densely populated area to the east. My development strategy is rooted in the current spatial and programmatic logic of a small-scale mix of uses. From there I developed an ideal-typical Brick Lane block that acts as a design handle. I then sketched possible developments for three wide-ranging sites. Vacant lots, car parks and public 'residual space' make places for activities that belong in the neighbourhood without the need for demolition. This development can be set in train by working together with the landowner (in some cases the authorities) and assorted mostly small local parties.

Current policy is targeted at compaction and takes the form of expanding the City on a few large-scale development sites. This planning process ignores the valuable though vulnerable neighbourhood round Brick Lane. There is no place in it for the cultural historical richness, the socioeconomic problems and the potentials held out by the small-scale industry on site. The pressure on land prices is immense and neighbourhood activity looks likely to be limited to office hours only. However, protests by residents and other players against the prevailing planning approach, and against the financial-economic crisis, clear the way for my alternative development strategy. This calls for intensifying what is a valuable neighbourhood by making use of a great many small-scale development sites. The opportunities currently offered by existing qualities and circumstances are deployed to compact the neighbourhood and strengthen it at the same time.

Place of education: AvB Rotterdam | Specialization: urban design | Tutors: Jaakko van 't Spijker, Hiroki Matsuura, Joost Beunderman, Chris van Lange