Cotmandene Crescent
2001–2002

Date
2001–2002

Name Of Project
Ocean NDC, Tower Hamlets

Client’s Name
London Borough of Bromley

Category
Urban | Commerce

A community led regeneration strategy for renewal of a blighted 1950’s district centre in St Paul’s Cray, Bromley. The menu of outcomes was generated and fully supported through public consultation, and ranged from site-wide landscape and infrastructure improvements to small scale architectural and environmental interventions

Three themes evolved through the intensive consultation process involving negotiation, observation and mapping. These were – viability (making the place work better), visibility (making the place feel and look better / safer) and accessibility (making it a place for everyone).

A series of short, medium and long term projects were identified. A Number of quick wins were delivered within the initial budget to meet local demands, with a range of benefits and match-funding to seed change.

Short projects included the creation of a cross generational ‘Creativity Centre’, new colour coordinated roller shutters, the artistic ‘interpretation’ of the flank walls at both ends of the parade, improved entrances to flats, opening up of the service yards at the rear and a range of measures to use vacant shops as ‘light boxes’ and exhibition spaces to improve safety and animate the place at night.

The consultation process included the use of a vacant shop as a base for engagement and the involvement of the artist and Fluid member Kit Lawrence – himself a local – in the creation and editing of a ‘short film’ working with local people and evoking memories of place and possibilities for ‘rooted change’.