Manifesto
The current model of Urban Development is speculated through developers; driven by economic profit rather than community. Winding streets of stock built housing populate our
suburbs; relentlessly boring non-places degraded through regimented blandness, the individual needs of the person are forgotten and the default is accepted. The users of the spaces are anonymous; the only exchanges that occur are monetary. This commuter based society results in dead towns without social experience.
We question this trend and aim to create places of social exchange, where people not only
SLEEP/EAT/WORK but enjoy and expe- rience with others within memorable places. Ashford’s development has so far created spaces of “dead” culture and we endevaur to alter this loosely within the council’s timeframe of the three phases (2021,2031,2041)
To create community we will impliment a network of Social Exchangers into the existing adequate Infrastructure. These Hubs allow for peoples exchange of emotions, conversations and experiences and aim to create links between users of this new devel- opment. They are deployed as catalysts for, coding
the development of each achipelago's programmes and styles. We light the touch-paper, add the wood and watch the fire burn.
The explicit nature of each area leads to a rich and varied urban landscape with an air of escapism. Journeys between each island of identity create transitional moments of realised falsity. Mem ories are made through sequential triggers, locations are cemented through individuality, landmarks are used as way-f
inding nodes, prominant and representative of spatial location. Through time the augmentation of programme leads to paradox’s of usage, unexpected meetings of the individual and vividity throughout.
To quote Kevin Lynch “The final objective of such a plan is not the physical shape itself but the quality of an image in the mind.”
We embrace the false with open arms, accept the absurd and poke fun at the mundane. We create a City On-Demand where Tran- sience is key;
“If they want a Mountain, they can have a Mountain. If they want a Beach, they can have a Beach”
John Pritchard, Ben Reay & Chris Simmons 0
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