Enabling Urban Transformation through Vision and Strategy

Master thesis by Andreas Rupf, 
at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University

The fundamental problem with Stratford High Street is not one of aesthetics or building heights in terms of the new developments. It is the problem of not having a vision and following the 1945 plan and philosophies, which segregate traffic users; and ignoring the fact that streets are more needed in a ‘shared space’ way. As long as the authority and planners do not see the importance of scaling down our motor vehicle infra-structure and giving the space back to the people, we will not get a sustainable city. But Newham Council pursue the idea of keeping the car owner happy, because they are good taxpayers and should not be provoked by less car space to leave the borough. However, the argument that London needs traffic capacity contradicts the evidence that car ownership in London is decreasing while walking and cycling are rapidly growing.

One result of the segregated, car orientated and over-engineered Stratford High Street are the vacant street level plots and empty pavements, because properties on the High Street are mostly inward looking and gated enclaves. Residents just stay and sleep within their property and do not engage with their surroundings. Developers and investors who built these properties tried to solve pollution issues by turning their back on the six-lane dual carriageway and who can blame them? Another result can be seen from current initiatives such as the new super highway for cyclists, junction redesign and the newly designed bus stops. But, for instance, the cycling super highway is completely segregated from the walkways and pavement, traffic lanes and pedestrian crossings are bounded with railings and so on. Tfl continues to follow the strategy of separating transport users and it will be hard to change that idea after it has been built with millions of pounds. De-cluttering in the public realm and the possibility of reducing the width of the traffic highway and planting trees on the pavements seems not to be a target for the authority because of financial arguments. Newham’s authority needs the ability to sell the vision to developers and stakeholders before they hand in their application for new development schemes. In the past the LLDC and Newham have often just reacted rather than acting proactively. TfL and all the other stakeholders need guidelines to achieve the overall goal.

The key turning point will be when everyone believes and agrees to a new high street vision. A strong vision of scaling down the heavy traffic high street and changing the car focused planning behaviour for a welcoming active place that is worth celebrating. Segregation was not successful, shared space is the future.