Cardiff University: Tottenham RegenerationCardiff University: Tottenham RegenerationCardiff University: Tottenham Regeneration

Introduction: The Art of The Real

The studio investigated Tottenham following the riots of 2011. We asked what role architecture played; did it cause the riots or was architecture just a background and rioting was caused by other factors such as inequality and economic deprivation? Why did the riots occur in a city that was spending millions on regeneration projects in anticipation for the London Olympic Games?
The students’ proposals demonstrate how architecture can play a role in the transformation of Tottenham. The projects are new stories and form part of a new dialogue in Tottenham.

The Key Questions

What new Tools and Strategies can we use to strengthen the Economic, Physical and Social Vitality of Tottenham?

The student projects demonstrate how creativity and entrepreneurship can work together to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. Examples of this included local and sustainable food production with community kitchens and arts hubs that are connected to local schools and businesses. We believe artists including new web designers, graphic designers and architects can assist in regeneration through economic activity which is supported through arts hubs that provide low cost space. These centres create opportunities for young people to get involved in internships and work placements. This type of inner city regeneration was encouraged by the Urban Task Force report ‘Towards an Urban Renaissance’ chaired by Lord Rogers in the 1990s but Tottenham still awaits innovative projects to help kick start this process.

How can Design Interventions and Strategies be more Valuable in the long term?

Design interventions need to involve consultation and partnering between developers, the local council and the local community. The council has a vision for Tottenham, what is needed now is creative stakeholder involvement and policies which allow for local people to propose and develop projects. This approach relies on the ability to attract a group of people interested in creating spaces and accommodation primarily for their own use.

We believe as well as a vision, small scale interventions such as local improvement projects, ‘pocket’ parks or renovation and restoration of derelict buildings for example are essential for regeneration to take place. The studio supported the idea of the importance of small scale changes that are promoted by Kelvin Campbell of Smart Urban Limited. Kelvin’s approach is based on establishing a fine grain parcelisation pattern which lends itself to incremental land release and provides opportunities for a multitude of smaller scale developments to come forward over time and independent from each other.

How Can Haringey Council Support Regeneration?

Haringey could have a better presence in Tottenham. A new ‘Tottenham Regeneration Agency’ as proposed by the report ‘It Took Another Riot’ chaired by Stuart Lipton, could develop principles to serve as guidelines for development. Residents in the area would take ownership of these principles and use them as a platform for a public policy, development practice, urban planning, and the general design of Tottenham. Other possible ways the council can make Tottenham attractive to investors and increased community involvement would be through a flexible approach offering bespoke incentives to get projects off the ground by reducing individual risk and minimising capital cost. Ideas include: the creation of special zoning regulations or neighbourhood policies which enhance economic activity such as the creation of a Special Economic Block where planning policies are modified; flexible land deals such as shared/retained equity, deferred payments and ground rents; and the council could facilitate or provide access to finance, e.g. loan guarantees.

Tottenham with its links to great transport; Haringey’s low carbon agenda; and the opportunities to find low cost space and land and be creative and part of a powerful regeneration agenda must be of great interest to motivated companies and individuals with a ‘can do’ approach.

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