Marsh Maker

Research aim: insert text

THE TEAM: names here

Website:

https://edmen888.wixsite.com/marshmaker

Presentation Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG0WJav7vHY&list=PLogAV27cYtJ4265XtZILjvfGJM_mmxuUa&index=15&ab_channel=RadioBabel

SHORT:

We have undertaken this project to give the communities within and surrounding St Philip’s Marsh a fighting chance against the corporate developer. By considering the local residents, communities and businesses thoughts and opinions from an early stage we have understood what is important to them. This has helped to inform the proposal you see which is more representative of the people than the broad brush version seen in the past and that has recently been produced by Bristol City Council in their Local Development Plan.

Our intention was to propose something that would stimulate conversations about the future of the Marsh before the infiltration of white collar developers begin. With the creation of the Marsh Maker website the residents, communities and businesses now have a place to channel their thoughts and concerns which we hope will eventually be listened to by the council.

LONG:

Klaudia Kery, Daniel Sliwa and Jason Li and myself are first year Masters of Architecture students. Under the module ‘Live Studio’ our cohort has been offered 14 different key areas of Bristol to work with. The intention is to work with a representative (client) in the area and communities to establish and bring to the surface current issues, challenges and opportunities. The students have then worked with their respected client(s) since October to develop a response; be-it a report to present to the council (which we have done), physical installation or series of instructions for the communities to incorporate and signify change, to resolve matters established in the area.

In this instance, the 4 of us chose to work with the St Philip’s Marsh area as we have an active interest in Master-planning and developing areas to reach their full potential with a focus around community requirements.

St Philips Marsh has been identified in Bristol City Council’s Future Development Plan as a key area for redevelopment. The area to the North of the site is currently undergoing heavy regeneration and is soon to spill into the site. Before too much infiltration of development can proceed, a cohesive exploration into the existing site needs to be undertaken to best protect the existing businesses, site features, and character of the marsh. Listening to and engaging with local businesses and communities’ on the marsh has been an important aspect to forming a successful masterplan proposal and redeveloping the Marsh. They and our clients have reported back to us what is successful or not. The masterplan will seek to address concerns and insecurities raised as well as refining what is appropriate to introduce to the site.

A huge benefit of the module has been being able to collaborate and engage with the other university groups such as; Lawrence Hill, Craft Quarter (St Philips – North of the train line) and the BS3 region. We have therefore been able to listen to the findings that they have established to feedback solutions into our own proposal. For example; Lawrence Hill have identified over-crowding issues, which we are seeking to address with a variety of new accommodation types, high-end and

affordable. In BS3 (Bedminster) they have been considering whether car-free streets are the way to go and the potential impact this could have, we have responded by making sure our proposal for St Philip’s Marsh accessible and pedestrian friendly to accommodate the increase in users. Also providing more essential facilities in close proximity, accessible by bike or foot, like locally run shops, entertainment facilities and recreational activities.

There are many aspects to consider and many different stakeholders involved to address. However, by considering this now, there is a high chance the site will be more engaging, vibrant and successful, incorporating locally run businesses and individuals, rather than being a dead place with inactivity, over-run with cars and pollution caused by developers with profit as their key incentive.

Likewise, this will also help the surrounding areas by addressing their concerns within our own proposal and reducing adverse effect on them as a result of the proposal.

Some of the main aspects that we hoped we have address include:

• Resolve current congestion, high traffic and through-routes

• Consider the wider demographic and blue collar industries

• Incorporate accessible, inclusive and useable green healthy spaces

• Consider sustainability impacts in the future of the marsh with Zero Carbon targets.

• Reinstate homes back to the Marsh and provide an array of accommodation types.

• Provide a suitable variety of employment opportunities and consider how blue-collar industries can still flourish.

• Improve connectivity for pedestrians and public transport options.