“Waterfront
Regeneration in London―Challenge to Floating Village”
Chris Wainwright (Film Artist, Professor at University of the Arts London)
In recent years, we can see more and more
water activities in Tokyo focusing on waterfront regeneration, such
as
floating caf? terraces, jazz concert on water, etc. One of the bold
activities of regeneration has been undertaken on River Thames in
London. We invited Prof. Chris Wainwright from the University of
the Arts London, who is a film artist and has played major roles
in water activities on the Thames. He gave us a lecture on his waterfront
regeneration project in London. The translator was Mr. Genichi Ide
who works for Tokyo Office of University of the Arts London, and
has cooperated with Prof. Wainwright in various activities.
In the lecture, he talked about a project called “Hermitage Community
Moorings (HCM) Project” as an example of floating village utilizing
a pier. The project aimed to conserve historic river crafts, convert
them to be used as dwellings, and renovate an old pier as a mooring
for those crafts. The project was completed in 5 years. The renovation
of river crafts, purchase of the pier, and acquisition of relevant
rights were achieved in this short period.
Hermitage along the Themes was a core area of transportation where
warehouses lined (Fig. 1). London had flourished with trade and active
ship transportation on the Themes. In the 19th century, about two thousands
cargo ships were anchored on the Themes; sometimes people could walk
across the river on anchored vessels. However in the 20th century,
railways, trucks, and airplanes began to play major roles in transportation
of London instead of vessels, as in other cities of the world. In the
end of the 20th Century, vessels disappeared from the Themes, and warehouses
along the river were replaced by smart apartment complex and hotels.
In the surrounding areas, high-rise office buildings were built. The
landscape around river banks has been gradually changed. Rivers have
become places to be appreciated or for amenities, instead of those
for practical use.
For the historically important place as described above, Prof. Wainwright
purchased a commercial pier from a private company in 2004, acquired
a permit for commercial use, and purchased mooring right. The core
of the project was dwellings on boats in the city core of London, based
on official authorization. For that purpose, he had to change the purpose
for use permit of the pier from commercial to residential Thanks to
the port of authority which controls piers, he obtained the permission
for residential purpose a year later.
As shown in Fig.2, he had to build a bridge linking the pier which
he had purchased and the land side. The bridge to be built is under
the control of administrative department which coordinates jurisdiction
of land. Because there was no precedent, it had not shown understanding
of the idea to live on a river. Moreover, it was necessary for him
to get the permissions from the Committee comprised of citizens. Actually,
the Committee declined his proposal because of the claims from residents
in surrounding luxury apartments. Prof. Wainwright and his project
group raised opposition to the city, while proposing several plans.
Finally, they received permission in 2006. His group emphasized the
following points in the plan proposed to the city:
・Construct a pier to conserve historic river crafts
・Reuse the river
・The pier will be educational and cultural facilities for people living
in the vicinity
Fig.3 shows the bird’s eye view of the pier. The area shown in red
is opened to the public. People can enter the bridge to the right linking
the pier and the land, and the hutch in the center of the pier. The
part of the pier where red crafts are anchored is always opened for
public use. Boats and ships from all over the world can be moored here.
The priority of the project purpose is; 1) provide dwelling spaces
on river crafts at anchor; 2) prepare public spaces for people living
in vicinity and 3) provide moorings for every ship from outside of
London.
In March 2009, the project was completed and big opening party was
held (Fig. 4). At present, people can visit the place on public open
days. The residents in surrounding luxury apartments who were against
the plan before, now visit and enjoy the pier.
Their efforts during five years have been rewarded because the pier
has become one of the finest landscapes in London (Fig.5), contributing
the vitalization of the river. Moreover, the place is proposing how
to use future rivers. |
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[Fig.1
Location of Floating Village] |
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[Fig.2 The Pier
at the Time of Being Purchased] |
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[Fig.3
Bird’s Eye View of the Pier] |
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[Fig.4
Opening Party] |
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[Fig.5 Night
View of Floating Village] |
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