mapping survey andreport Queen ElizabethOlympicPark: Cultural infrastructurearound the 1

LAB URBAN Clare Melhuish and Ben Campkin UCL Urban Laboratory Published in November 2017

Dr Clare Melhuish is a Senior Research Associate in the UCL Urban Laboratory and ‘Curating the City’ cluster lead at the UCL-University of Gothenburg Centre for Critical Heritage Studies. [email protected]

Dr Ben Campkin is Director of the UCL Urban Laboratory and Senior Lecturer in Architectural History and Theory at the Bartlett School of Architecture. [email protected]

UCL Urban Laboratory Gordon House, 29 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PP www.ucl.ac.uk/urbanlab @UCLurbanlab [email protected]

Key to cover images (clockwise from top left): demolition and reconstruction under way in Hackney Wick; parents and children leave the Discover Story Centre; view towards the Olympic Park and the International Quarter from House Mill; bar/café area at ; advertising for Stratford High Street regeneration 3 Executive Summary of short, medium, and long-term action: research embeddedin thelocalculturalcontext, and proposes threeareas East inproviding newresourcesfor HumanitiesandSocialScience In responseto thesefindings, affirmstheimportance of UCL thereport for thisvulnerabilityare: the key reasons landscape. Basedonfindings from thequalitative research we conducted, operate, andmostarefindingitdifficult tosurvive inthepost-Olympic of theseorganisations lackpermanentviablepremisesfrom whichto role insustaining resilienceacross thearea’s diverse populations. Many funding whichhassincebeenwithdrawn. They performanimportant either pre-date theOlympics, orowe their existence to Olympiclegacy substantial network ofcommunity-basedculturalorganisations which The newdata showshowever gatheredforthisreport thatthereisa regeneration. identity linked to promotion oftheknowledgeeconomy andculture-led the LLDChave beenlaunchedto establish anewlocalculturalheritage policy initiatives ledby theOlympicboroughs, theMayor’s office, and the LondonOlympics2012, andthatsince2006araftofnewcultural was effectively erasedby theredevelopment oftheStratfordsite for entity. Itshowshowtheindustrialheritage andcultureofthearea corresponding difficultyofdealingwiththeparkenvirons asacohesive by highlevels ofethnicdiversity andlong-term deprivation, andthe the differentneighbourhoodsthatsurround thepark, allcharacterised also emphasisesthedistinctive culturalandgeographicfeatures of the areaisminimal, andinneedofbothupdatingexpanding. It establishesThe report thatexisting data onculturalinfrastructurein of thewiderarea. District beingdeveloped oftheregeneration intheOlympicParkaspart be usefulto alltheorganisations involved intheCulturalandEducation as oneofthecity’s mostimportantassets. We hopethatthefindingswill initiatives to mapeffectively and protect London’s culturalinfrastructure, around theOlympicPark. ItisalsoinlinewithnewMayoral andGLA for monitoring thefutureimpactofUCL Eastonexisting culturalresources continuing development oftheUCL Eastvisionandto provide abaseline infrastructure intheenvirons ofUCL East. Itisintended to informthe identifiesandpresentsThis report existing andnewdata oncultural 3. 2. 1. Potential threatposedby UCL andother‘bigplayers’ Cultural disconnectbetween localcommunitiesandparkresources development Shortage offundingandphysical spaceforsurvival and 4 3. 2. 1. which to develop researchembeddedinthelocalculturalcontext colleagues across faculties, anewEastLondoncollectionaround co-curate withlocalpeople, andincollaborationwithUCL extending datasets b) initiatives to bringtogether andinvest fundinginmaintaining and scope ofanewUrbanRoomatUCL Eastforsharedactivities of principlesforculturalinteraction withUCL East, focusingon worka) further withlocalorganisations to co-produce amanifesto existing socialandculturalinfrastructure b) renewal ofemphasiswithintheUCL Eastvisiononsupporting the areas different typesofculturalinfrastructuregeographicallywithin a) production ofpubliclyaccessibledata visualisationlocating 5 contents 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Selected images Selected bibliography Conclusion: implicationsfortheUCL EastVision UCL Eastactivities the existing localculturalinfrastructurethrough Strategies forUCL to work withratherthandisplace Recommendations forfuturework Potential threatposedby UCL andother‘bigplayers’ park resources Cultural disconnectbetween localcommunities and and development Shortage offundingandphysical spaceforsurvival New data The existing data: defining‘culturalinfrastructure’ UCL’s role indefininglocalculturalheritage Cultural policy initiatives since2006 Removal oflocalindustrialheritage Cultural development inandaround thepark Defining thearea Context andpurposeoftheresearch

26 25 28 27 21 18 14 6 7 6 1 Context and purpose of the research professions. those inurban, cultural, architectural, andotherrelated fineart disciplinesand current andfuturepresence roles ofUCL staff, students, graduates –particularly them. Theevidence presented hereisalsoofdirectimportance inthinkingaboutthe infrastructure, gapsinexisting aswell asidentifying data andfuturework to address as to how UCL andotherinstitutionscanmonitor theirimpacts onexisting cultural alongside its international-scale institutions. partner Thefindingsincludesuggestions and activitiesinthearea, andcollaboratingwithSMEs andculturalorganisations, lessons underscoredforUCL asitshapesits strategy forembeddingthenewcampus in theCulturalandEducationDistrictbeingdeveloped inthearea. Therearealsospecific The findingsoftheresearchareintended to beuseful to alloftheorganisations involved led RegenerationSummerSchool(2016). Tower Hamlets Councilsandthenetwork oforganisations involved intheUCL University- [formerly calledOlympicopolis]andfortheculturalprogramme intheQEOP, Hackney and for FutureLondon, responsibleforthedelivery oftheCulturalandEducationDistrict Boroughs andisnowtheplanningauthorityonaround theOlympicPark, Foundation Development Corporation (LLDC), whichtook over planningpowers from theOlympic These activitieshave builtonestablished collaborationswiththeLondonLegacy in-depth interviews withrepresentatives from thearea’s extant culturalorganisations. been supplemented by aworkshop onculturalheritage intheOlympicarea, andwithsix diversity oftheexisting context ofLondon. ofthispart Desk-based data collectionhas datasets andevidence have beensought, inorderto presentthecomplexity and The existing data isminimal, assummarisedbelow. Both quantitative andqualitative area canbeprotected inthefuture. displaced inthisdiscussion, inorder to learnlessonsasto howtheculturalgrainof cohesion. Itisalsoimportant to includeculturalactivitieswhichhave alreadybeen definition ofculturalinfrastructure, andwhichcontribute inimportant ways to social based organisations, churches, etc., whichshouldbeconsideredwithinanexpanded example, butsotoo aresmallculturalenterprises, culturalvenues, pubs, community- displacement intheshort, medium, andlongterm. Artists’ studiosareoneconcern, for begin to understand whichcommunities, activitiesandspacesarecurrently atriskof exercise hasbeento puttogether acoherent summaryofthedata thatexists, andto existing data onculturalinfrastructurein theenvirons ofUCL East. Thepurposeofthis and protect ‘culturalinfrastructure’, we have soughtto identify, collate andpresent the strategic moves theMayor andGLAaremakinginterms ofworking to better map unsustainable ifthatstatus isto beretained. Inthisresearch, inlinewithsomeof through whichthecity’s ‘global’status gainsits culturalcapital, andthatthisis an unaffordableandintensely high-pressuredenvironment formany oftheactivities There isnowarecognitionatGLAandlocalborough level thatLondonhasbecome 7 2 Defining the area 2011-2015: Olympic Delivery Authority fortheparkarea, assetoutinthe Convergence Action Plan Legacy Company anddeliver thelegacy useandcommunityregenerationpledgedby the formed undertheprovisions oftheLocalismAct, 2011, to replacetheOlympicPark jurisdiction oftheLLDCsince2012. TheLLDCisamayoral development corporation at theintersection ofthefourborough boundaries, andhasbeenundertheplanning and OldFord, Bow, -by-Bow, andPoplarbeyond theA12). TheParkitself lies Wick, , SouthHackney), andTower Hamlets to thewest andsouth(FishIsland, Plaistow), Waltham Forest to (), thenortheast Hackney to thenorthwest (Hackney Boroughs’: Newham to theeastandsouth(includingareasofStratford, , The environs oftheOlympic Parkfallunderthejurisdictionoffouroutsix‘Olympic action%20plan%202011-2015.pdf (lastaccessed14th Aug 2017) gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Convergence%20 1 Convergence Framework andAction Plan 2011-2015, p.1 https://www.london. violent andgangcrime’. increase inlifeexpectancy; reductioninhousing overcrowding; reduction in increases inthenumberofeconomicallyactive adults; reductioninchildpoverty; higher educationalattainment; achievement of greater skillsqualifications; disadvantage experienced by HostBorough residents isgreatlyreduced through: ‘The challengeofConvergence isto ensurethatover 20years thescaleof Fig 1:MapoftheOlympicParkandenvirons, 2017. Source:GoogleMaps. 1 8 the expanse ofHackney Marshes, stretching towards theWalthamstow reservoirs. by Bowto thesouth. and theareabetween PuddingMillRiver, StratfordHighStreet, andThreeMills/Bromley to thewest; StratfordInternational Quarter andWestfield shoppingcomplex to theeast; Island andHackney Wickwhichfallbetween theLeaNavigation andtheA12boundary covering its areapriorto 2012)covers theparkitself and, inaddition, theareasofFish The LLDC’s LocalPlan(drawingonthecontent oftheplansadopted by thefourboroughs culture cluster, andaforward-looking educationandinnovation presence’. a PremierLeaguestadium), athrivingbusinesscommunity, adazzlingnewartsand provide new homes and jobs, attractive parkland, world facilities (including class sporting stating that‘its successisenabledby anddigital newtransport infrastructure, anditwill The LLDCpromised a‘programme ofchange centredonQueenElizabethOlympicPark’ policy/local-plan 3 http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/planning-authority/planning- year-stratagy.ashx?la=en (lastaccessed14thAug 2017) 2015-2020, p2. LLDC. http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/5- 2 Fig 2:Planshowingplanningauthority jurisdictionsinandaroundthepark. Source:LLDCFiveYear Strategy, p Queen ElizabethOlympicParkand thesurrounding area. Five year strategy: 3 To thenorth, theparkedgeisboundedby theA106, dividingitfrom 2 29. 9 Fig 3:Multi-lingualshopnotice, Vicarage Road certain degreeofgentrificationits largely 19 Olympics, butnever benefited from thesamefootfallasStratford, andhasundergone a the 2012OlympicGames. Leyton undertook atransformation ofits HighRoadforthe new E20neighbourhood, EastV housing developments have beenconstructed around theOlympicsite, includingthe established localculturallifeover many years. Asignificantnumberofnewlarge-scale colleges, aswell astheTheatreRoyal andPicturehouse, whichhave provided afocusfor home oftheoriginalUniversity education ofEastLondoncampusandanumberfurther residential streets extending outwards towards West HamandPlaistow. Itisalsothe (Stratford CentreandWestfield StratfordCity), withlarge swathes ofsmall-scale the development leading upto the2012games. Stratfordisthemainshoppingcentre cultural landscape, althoughforsomeoftheseareasthischangedradicallythrough Each sideoftheparkismarked by adistinctive topography, demographic, andsocio- also beenmarked by the‘persistent long-term deprivation’ whichwas highlighted and base level socio-economicterms, therecenthistory ofallthesurrounding areashas cultural assets andcreative production which isofsignificance to the capital. Y All theseareasarerichin ethnicandculturaldiversity, andhostawealth ofeveryday Strand Eastresidentialandwork-space development. formerly dominated by thehistoric tidalmills, whichwillbetransformed by the26acre from Pudding Millto ThreeMills, thenetwork ofcanalsandrivers carves upalandscape by jowlwith theexisting Trowbridge Estate. Southoftheparkwithin theA12boundary, smallscale industry, butwhich arerapidlybeingredeveloped as newhousing, cheek affordable workspace inEurope incanalsidewarehouses thatoncehousedextensive Hackney Wick andFishIslandnowhostthelargest concentrationofartists’ studios and illage, formerlytheaccommodationforathletes during Fig 3:Multi-lingualshopnotice, Vicarage Road th -century terraced housingstock. et, in 10 Newham Key Facts Jan2017 Table 1 defined intheConvergence Framework, asquoted above. 6 accessed Oct5th 2017 Olympic Boroughs, p1. http://www.growthboroughs.com/convergence/, last 5 accessed Oct5th2017 Olympic Boroughs, p1. http://www.growthboroughs.com/convergence/, last 4 population, inadditionto anumberofsmallerethnicgroups’ British, Indian, African, BangladeshiandPakistani) thateachmake up10%ormoreofthe the secondlowest inLondonafter BarkingandDagenham… Ithasfive ethnicgroups (white According to themostrecentdata… its average householdincomein2013was £34,260, summarised by Mintchev andMoore:‘Newhamisoneofthemostdeprived areasinLondon. rank Rank ofaverage Index ofMultiple Depriv English Main Languages spokenb *1 Rank ofextent Bengali Urdu Gujarati Lithuanian Other EthnicGroup (includingArab) Mixed/multiple ethnicgroups Black/Black British Asian/Asian British White Percentage ofpeopleb Convergence Framework andAction Plan2011-2015, Mayor ofLondonand Convergence Framework andAction Plan2011-2015, Mayor ofLondonand st http://www.newham.info/factsandfigures, lastaccessed 14th Aug 2017 beingthemostdeprived Census data, ethnicdiversity 2 2010 Newham ranking*inLondon 2 nd nd of33 of33 58.6% 7.4% 4.4% 3.3% 2.7% ation, DCLG2015 6 y Newhamresidents (T y ethnicgroup Other Black Caribbean African Other Asian Chinese Bangladeshi Pakistani Indian Irish Other British 4 4 2015 th th of33 of33 Tamil Polish Panjabi Romanian Portuguese , mid-2016GLAprojections 2 2 2010 Newham ranking*inEngland nd nd of326 of326 op 10)(aged 3ando 3.9% 4.9% 2.6% 4.4% 11.2% 18.3% 6.6% 1.4% 12.4% 10.4% 15.0% 46.1% 0.7% 12.6% 13.5% 26.8% 4 Ofthefourboroughs, andas 5 (seealsoTable 1). 25 8 2015 2.3% 2.0% 1.8% 1.6% 1.4% th of326 th of326 ver) 11 Table 2 flows ofnewresidents transformthesociallandscapeandinfrastructure. landscape, andforthedemographicoftheseneighbourhoods, assignificantincoming been andwillbefar-reaching, bothfortheshapeofbuiltenvironment andurban by-Bow andMillMeads’. Stratford andthesouthofQueenElizabethOlympicPark, andPuddingMill, Bromley- four subareas:Hackney WickandFishIsland, StratfordandEton North Manor, Central 2) whichdescribehowkey locations are expected to changeover time, dividedinto They arecovered intheLLDC’s Local Planby asetof‘“Place-basedpolicies” (seeTable significant changeasaresultofrapidurbanredevelopment triggered by theOlympics. All areasaround theOlympicParkhave undergone andarecontinuingto experience policy/local-plan 7 new urbancommunities, well connected to theirsurroundings. around theConservation Areas. By 2031, theSub Areawillhave becomeadistinct seriesof signed, taking accountofthehistoric waterside settings andtheheritage assets withinand the newhomes, businessandotherpremiseswillhave beensensitively andexcellently de- by-Bow, SugarHouseLaneandPuddingMillwillmeetawiderangeofhousingneeds, while safe routes to thestations andlocalshopsservices. Themany newhomes in Bromley- the restofLondon. Newandimproved localfootandcycle pathswillprovide accessibleand excellent linksto publictransport nearby work andgoodaccess to andleisureopportunities A newDLRstation atPuddingMillandanenhanced Bromley-by-Bow Station willprovide ley-by-Bow willprovide anewprimaryschool, community facilitiesandpublicopenspaces. ofSugarHouseLane. part ment andleisureusesinthenorth TheDistrictCentre atBrom- Bromley-by-Bow andanew LocalCentreatPuddingMill, withasecondaryhubofemploy - of newbusinessandresidentialcommunitiesthatfind afocusatnewDistrictCentre Sub area4:Vision PuddingMill, Bromley-by-Bow andMillMeads. Thiswillbecomeanarea sporting, leisureandculturaldestination. well asprovide themeansofaccessformultitudevisitors whocometo theareaasa tial forinternational links, willcontinueto drawbusinessandinvestment into thearea, as Elizabeth OlympicPark. Theexcellent accessibility, publictransport withadditionalpoten- ness andresidentialcommunities, allnestledwithineasy accessoftheparklandsQueen business expansion withhigh-qualityhousingalongsidelong-standing andthrivingbusi- come adiverse areaofnewhigh-profile facilities, educationandsporting retail, leisureand Sub area3:Vision CentralStratfordandSouthernQueenElizabethOlympicParkwillbe- will aspireto live. to andleisureactivitiesbecomealocationinwhichpeople affordablecommunitysport employment atStratfordandHackney andbusinessopportunities Wick. Itwillhave access lent schools, communityfacilities, localshopsandservices, andbewithineasy reachofthe families to grow andstay. Itwillhave unrivalled accessto publictransport, alongwithexcel- Elizabeth OlympicPark. Thiswillbecomeanareaofvibrantnewcommunities, aplacefor ity housing, withgenerous newLocalOpenSpacessetalongsidetheparklandsofQueen Sub area2:Vision StratfordandEton North Manorwillbecomeanareaofnewhigh-qual- products west oftheLeeNavigation. a significantpresenceofcreative andculturalindustriesproducing bespoke and artistic education activitieswillbeclustered withinandaround HereEast, andcomplemented by of QueenElizabethOlympicPark. Anewdigital quarter ofhi-tech, media, broadcasting and be served by andhave directaccessto theopenspacesand world-classfacilities sporting historic interest, anewNeighbourhoodCentreandanupgradedrailway station. Thesewill homes, employment workspace andcommunityfacilitiesaround andwithinbuildingsof the centre, andindustrialareasto thesouth, willhave beencomplemented by amixofnew and economicactivity. Theestablished residentialareasinthenorth, historic character in well connected seriesofmixed andbalancedneighbourhoodswithplacesofsocial, cultural Sub area1:Vision Hackney WickandFishIslandwillbecomeamorevibrant, diverse and http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/planning-authority/planning- Projected changeasenvisioned intheLLDC’s Local Plan, 20XX, sections6to9 7 Theeffects ofthesepoliciesandcontinuinginvestment have

12 overlooked duringthegames(incontrastto Leyton HighRoadto thenorth-east), developments alongtheparkedge, whileStratfordHighStreetitself, having beennotably people chooseto live, work, andstay’ (fig5). Itnowfeaturesmany newhigh-risehousing Newham CouncilunderMayor RobinWales since2012, underits slogan‘A placewhere centre to theeast. Thisareahasbeenthefocusofintensive redevelopment promoted by the lengthofStratfordHighStreet, between theA12to thewest andStratfordtown neighbourhoods to whichitismostproximate, whichliesouthandeastoftheparkalong fans. andotherinfrastructurearound Thetransport thissite separate itfrom thelocal temporary compoundfullofathletic-themedactivitiesandmerchandise to attract the WorldIAAF Championshipsinsummer2017, thesite was occupiedby Hero V Park, boundedby Marshgate Lane, MontfichetRoadandtherailway lines. Duringthe The UCL Eastdevelopment issited insubarea3, SouthernQueenElizabethOlympic park-will-be-the-albertopolis-of-the-east-8982871.html, lastaccessedSept29th 2017 9 https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/boris-johnson-the-olympic- street-regeneration-council-boost-revamp 8 https://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/may/23/high- subject ofanewtransformationprogramme (fig6). Fig 6:Stratford HighStreetimprovements proposals Fig 5:Newham regenerationbranding illage, a 8 isthe 13 year-stratagy.ashx?la=en (lastaccessed14thAug 2017) 2015-2020, p2. LLDC. http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/5- 10 displaced willbeforgotten, ratherthanacknowledgedandappropriate lessonslearned. Furthermore, therecent history ofculturalorganisations thathave alreadybeen which developed over timeinresponseto theneedsofdiverse localpopulations. sweeping away thecultural infrastructureandlocalheritage thatalreadyexist, and perceptions ofeastLondon’ theuniversity andits willbecomecomplicitin partners gauged? Ifthisquestionisnotadequately addressed, theriskisthatin‘utterly reshaping and cultureeducationprovision andcommunitiesinthesurrounding area’ canbe which thefutureimpactofUCL Eastandtheotheranchorinstitutionson‘existing arts Given theseaims, whatarethebenchmarksandmonitoring mechanismsthrough 1.10 Mayor BorisJohnsoninDecember2013, and educationaldevelopment programme originallylaunchedas‘Olympicopolis’ by The UCL Eastdevelopment willbedelivered by oftheextended theLLDCaspart cultural ‘ International. TheLLDCstates inits five-year plan(2015-2020): be situated ontheWaterfront site, insidethepark, closeto Westfield andStratford The otherkey institutionsinvolved inthenewCulturalandEducationdistrictwill Quarter’, comprisingtheTheatreRoyal, StratfordCircus, andPicturehousevenues. distinct from well-established destinations outside theparksuchas‘StratfordCultural District underJohnson’s successor, Mayor SadiqKhanin2016. Thisnewdesignationis 1.9

Queen Elizabeth OlympicParkandthesurrounding area. Five year strategy: local people, andfor five years. Itraisestheambitionfordelivering for morejobsandopportunities Park areawillhostfive universities, three ofthemnewlylocated hereinthenext ofthePark–byat theheart theendofthisperiod, theQueenElizabethOlympic vision. Olympicopoliswillalsoembedhighereducation, innovation andenterprise wealth ineastthekey ofculturalopportunities goalsoftheGLA’s culturaltourism It willhelpto drawvisitors onfrom London’s top 20attractions andoutinto the provision andcommunitiesinthesurrounding area[author’s italics]. Queen ElizabethOlympicPark, knitted intoexisting andcultureeducation arts …The newplan[Olympicopolis]puts education, of artsandcultureattheheart utterly reshapingperceptionsofeastLondon.’ 9 andre-brandedtheCulturalEducation 10 14 3 Culture and heritage in and around the park and urbanheritage atHereEast, In November 2016, theUCL UrbanLaboratory co-hosted aworkshop ontheuniversity a. environs asan‘industrialwasteland’ ora‘fridgemountain’ They remindedparticipants thattherhetoric usedto describetheOlympicparksite and to theOlympiccompactin2010-12, andwithtunnellersonthesite duringconstruction. ethnographer whoconducted researchto establish howcommunitygroups responded by MuseumofLondonArchaeology(MOLA)thatprecededredevelopment –andan Design’ firstphaseoftheOlympicproject –thearchaeological excavation ofthesite Among theparticipants were anarchaeologistwhohadworked onthe‘Demolish, Dig, for localcommunitiesinthearea, andfortheuniversity communityandinstitution. Olympic Parkwould have onre-shapingnarratives ofculturalheritage andidentityboth people andthepark, andanewkindofculturalheritage narrative. In2006theStratford vicinity, informed by theneedto develop anewplaceidentity, newconnectionsbetween policy initiatives were launchedto promote arts, cultureandcreativityintheparkits Instead of emphasising theexisting cultureandheritage ofthearea, anumberofnew b. cultural diversity inthefanfareofopeningceremony in2012. cultural heritage –indirectcontrastto theemphasisontechnological innovation and since they make noreference to theindustrialpastandotheraspects ofthearea’s residential, retail, andculturaldevelopments thathave taken shapesincetheGames also hadamorewidespreadsymbolic, aestheticandmaterial influencewithinthenew the literal removal ofarchaeologicalmaterial, thetabula rasaformofdevelopment has about thefactthiswas anindustrialplace’(workshop participant). However, from apart Games itself; they didn’t want to talk aboutthearchaeology, they didn’t want to talk came out…butthatwas very low-key; by thatstage everybody hadmoved onto the finished in2009, thenthere onfinds] was silenceuntil2012when thebook[reporting and ResearchCentreinIslington. As oneworkshop noted, participant ‘Theexcavations the removal ofallthe archaeologicalremainsto theLondonArchaeologicalArchive identity oftheplaceto create atabula rasaforanewkindofculturallife. Thisincluded and 2011aradicaltransformationoccurred whichlargely erasedtheexisting cultural been swept away through theremediationanddecontamination process. Between 2007 the Games, whilemostoftheevidence ofthesite’s multi-layered industrialheritage has relationships. Around 600businessesand1,000residents were evicted to make way for local people, forwhomitprovided livelihoods aninfrastructuresupporting andsocial accessed Aug 16th2017 www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/270/article/how-other-stratford-lives, last London. ‘How theotherStratfordlives’, Professional Arts , 23rd Jan2014, https:// Associate DeanoftheSchoolArts andDigital IndustriesatUniversity ofEast largest shopping centresinEurope, Westfield StratfordCity’. LizPearson, former the largest piles of discardedwhite goods, has beenreplacedby oneofthe transformed into theQueenElizabethOlympicPark. ‘Fridge mountain’, oneof of disusedwarehouses andrailway yards, scrapcarandtrolley-filled rivers were 12 the University ofGothenburg/UCL CentreforCritical Heritage Studies 11

as part of the2016-17programmeas part oftheCuratingCityresearchcluster in ‘For the2012Olympicand ParalympicGames, over two squarekilometres Removal oflocalindustrialheritage Cultural policy initiativessince 2006 11 to explore whatimpactthearrival ofUCL Eastinthe 12 was notrecognisedby many 15 sustainable regenerationandneighbourhoodrenewal intheborough’. contribution arisingfrom the2012OlympicandParalympicGamesisakey elementof tolerance intheexisting andnewneighbourhoods’, andto ‘ensuringHackney’s cultural borough, withspecificreference to creating‘asenseofplace’and‘socialcultural by cultureandthecreative industries inthesocialandeconomicdevelopment ofthe framework, Creative Hackney, provided apositionstatement ontherole to beplayed community activities, festivals andentertainment. workspaces andculturalinfrastructureto develop creative talent, commissions, newart provided andservicesoffered… aswell asany gaps’, a mappingexercise ofculturalprovision isundertaken … totherangeoffacilities identify delivers culturalinfrastructure’. therightmixofsupporting recommended‘that Itfurther Olympics asacatalyst forfuturedevelopment andtheneed‘to ensurethat[it]also to develop ‘cultural-ledregeneration’ intheborough whichemphasisedtherole ofthe published its NewhamCommunityInfrastructureStudy(2010)setting outopportunities arts andcultureinthearea’s regeneration’. new relationshipsbetween developers andorganisations, ensuringthecentralplaceof in eastLondon, whichbecameStratfordRisingin2010. Itdefinedits remitas to ‘broker Cultural Forum was setup, ofarts andculturalorganisations constitutingaconsortium public/lldc_artculturestrategy_webhigh.pdf, lastaccessed Aug 17th 2017 tongues, http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/~/media/qeop/files/ 17 16 accessed Aug 16th2017, p10-11 planning/CommunityInfrastructureStudyCultureandRegeneration[1].pdf, last Regeneration. https://www.newham.gov.uk/Documents/Environment%20and%20 15 p 2-3 14 Rising andthislistisgrowing asanewwave ofcreativityrushesto thearea’. artists’ studiosandcreative organisations forchildrenareallmembersofStratford collectives, architecture practices, filmandmediacompanies, colleges, universities, arts sceneinStratford. Danceandtheatrecompanies, arts centres, music transformation, we were supporting, promoting anddeveloping thewell-established 13 fantastic setting forfestivals andcelebrations’. Park isalreadyemerging asadynamichubforeastLondon’s creative economy anda icons), andits importance to transformingtheareainto aculturaldestination:‘the Elizabeth OlympicPark’(intheshapeofnewpermanentartworks andarchitectural oftheQueen again underlinedthesignificanceofcultureandcreativity‘atheart quarter ontheparkcalledOlympicopolis, thecorporation’s newArtsandCultureStrategy UK’s PlacemakingAwards. In2014, followingthemayoral decisionto create anewcultural and connectingwithlocalcommunities’. Its programme was shortlisted in2013forthe highlighted theneed‘to buildontheheritage oftheareaby enlivening ourpublicspaces Following thegamesin2012, theLLDCpublishedastrategy forarts andculture, which economy, whileusing theParkas V park’s newcentreforcultureandeducation, includingtheprospective arrival ofthe interviews], worked withover 120,000 schoolchildrenandsecuredover £4m’. over 500,000 peoplein33projects [includingTheY wound upandreplacedby theFoundation forFutureLondon(seebelow)ithad‘engaged andculture, threecoreareas ofart support education and skills. By2015, whenitwas communities intheneighbouringboroughs’. Between 2011and2013itraised£2.5mto by imaginative supporting andvisionaryprojects… to create brighter futuresforthe and skills. Its missionwas to ‘make creative connectionsbetween peopleandthepark London (BorisJohnson)andtheLLDCto andculture, raisefundingforart education In 2011, theyear beforethegames, the Legacy Listcharitywas setupby theMayor of been implemented. ictoria MuseumandUCL, andAlbert whichwould ‘undoubtedly grow thelocalcreative LLDC Arts andCultureStrategy 2014, Eyes, andminds, anddreams, and Creative Hackney, culturalpolicy framework. LondonBorough ofHackney 2010, Entry inLLDLocalDirectory 2015:‘Long before theOlympicandParalympic Newham CommunityInfrastructure Study, March2010. Cultureand https://uk.linkedin.com/company/the-legacy-list, lastaccessedAug 16th2017 thefocalpoint’. Inaddition, it promised to creative support 13 In2010, LBHackney’s newculturalpolicy 17 Itwelcomed theannouncementof ard TheatreinHackney Wick:see 15 butthisdoesnotappearto have 14 Newhamalso 16

16 medium andlarge scalebusinesses’, a highlycontested notion. ofthecasewas Part thatUCL would bea‘magnetforsmall, assumption ofatrickle-downeffectinproperty-led market-driven regenerationwas mechanisms thatmightbenecessary. Urbanists atUCL atthetimepointed outthatthe would benefitlocalcommunities, making overarching promises ratherthandetailing the infrastructure. Neitherdidtheproposition includeany evidence forhowtheregeneration V University oftheArts London’s LondonCollegeofFashion; University CollegeLondon; through theuniquecollaborationofworld-leading institutionsincluding:Sadler’s Wells; communities ineastLondonandbeyond; anewpowerhouse forinnovation andcreativity, Olympicopolis andpromote thedevelopment. Itdescribesitself as‘agamechangerfor Foundation forFutureLondonwas established thefollowingyear (2015)to raisefundsfor 18 stratfordproposition_Oct%202012.pdf, lastaccessedOct20th2017 net/wp-content/Documents/Pre_Planning/Carpenters%20estate_UCL_ 21 20 ashx?la=en, lastaccessed Aug 17th2017 http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/lldc/local_directory. 19 historic assets’, the university asaregenerationactor. Theinitialassessmentreferenceda‘paucityof of culturalorheritage value, even whileitemphasisedthe transformative potential of proposition didnotincludeany substantive evaluation oftheexisting context interms was controversial, insensitively presentingthesite asperipheralandatabularasa.The proposition to develop theCarpenters Estate site withtheLondonBorough ofNewham East Londonurbanregenerationmorewidely, asisstillthecase. However, theinitial Proposition (2012)emphasisedanintent to drive apositive legacy fortheOlympics, and environs oftheQEOP, itisimportant to note thattheuniversity’s originalStratford In consideringtherole ofUCL asacontributor to theculturalinfrastructurein c. far beenfulfilled. picture ofallcommunity, culturalandeducationactivityineastLondon’, whichhasnotso intention to ‘expand over timeto includemoreorganisations andcreate amorecomplete and relationships’. of facilitating agreater understanding ofeastLondonandbrokering newconnections the localorganisations thatsurround theParkandareactive ineastLondon, withtheaim on 9thJune2015. Thisdocumentremainsavaluable sourceofinformation‘on many of stakeholders around theproject inpreparationfortheOlympicopolisStakeholder Forum Local Directory ofculturalandarts organisations inthevicinity, withaviewto gathering UCL’s impacts andcollaborations. However, it hasnowbecomeimportant to develop amorecoordinated monitoring of seems appropriate to anincremental andcontext-sensitive approach to regeneration. understanding ofexisting communities. Thesehave moved forward organically, which residents’ and‘thelocalpopulation’. Since2012many initiatives have helpedto enhance original narrative, butatthatstage basedonquite ageneralisedunderstanding of‘local jobs, were traineeshipsandwideningparticipation all, importantly, prioritisedinthe influential institutionsand to work withlocalsmallbusinesses. Health, wellbeing, UCL’s visionin2012laidoutits intentions bothto network withotherstrategically acknowledge potential detrimental socialandculturalimpacts. of technologically-driven utopic visionsof‘futurecities’ cities’ and‘smart –andto Adam Greenfield)oftheoften unsubstantiated claimsforthesocio-economicbenefits to note –andrespond to –critiques(includingthoseby respected UCL scholars, suchas of thevisionextending EastLondon’s ‘Tech City’. Again, however, itseemsimportant ictoria Museum;andtheSmithsonianInstitution’. andAlbert

https://www.future.london/what-are-we-doing, lasaccessedAug 17th2017 UCL Stratford Proposition 11thOctober 2012, p9https://www.concreteaction. LLDC LocalDirectory QueenElizabethOlympicPark2015, p3 UCL’s roleindefininglocalculturalheritage UCL StratfordProposition, UCL 2012, p19 20 demonstratingalimited understanding ofwiderculturaland social 19 However itacknowledgesthatis‘notexhaustive’ andindicates an 21 andthisargument was madewithinthecontext 18 TheLLDCpublisheda 17 and Newhamto agreecontractualterms’. the lackofappropriate housingoptions worked into theplanandfailureofUCL proposed redevelopment ‘inthefaceofcommunityopposition, In theiraccountoftheinitiative, Addie andPaskinssummarisethecollapseof scheme. of attention to thepotential short, mediumandlonger-term gentrificationeffects ofthe an importantpivot. integration andisfoundedon‘theachievements ofthelocalcommunity’, inwhichUCL is leading example ofpositive regeneration:a‘world classpublicrealm’ thatenablessocial at HereEast(16thOct2017), inwhichtheparkhasanimportant role to play asaworld- ‘good growth’ outlined by Mayor Khanattherecent‘LeadingLondon’ conferencehosted narrowly delineated visionofextending ‘Tech City’. Itisbetter alignedwiththevisionfor These initiatives have openedupabroader conceptionof‘value’ comparedto theearlier and humanities. cities, bridgingacross thebuiltenvironment, socialandhistorical sciencesandthearts which combinesarangeofpublic-facingandinterdisciplinary activityprogrammes on and HumanitiesSocialHistorical Sciences, and‘GlobalFutureCitiesCo-Labs’, and Heritage’, originally cross-faculty andnowledas‘CultureLab’ by thefacultiesofArts context, andhave beenstrengthenedby beingnotably cross-sector. They include‘Design have alsoprovided to an opportunity thinkinmoredetail abouttheculturalandheritage hosted by UCL Urban Laboratory. Thesubsequentdevelopment ofacademicproposals needs ofNewham’s communities’. by theCollege’s ownexpertise, andfocusedonthehousing, healthandemployment with anethicalregenerationschemethatisexemplary bothinprocess andcontent, led based regeneration?(2012)stating forUCL that‘thereisanopportunity to leadtheway to UCL Council, UCL andNewham: canUCL leadthewaywithcommunity-led, evidence- insensitive approaches. At thattimetheUCL UrbanLabpresented awell-received paper responsibilities inregenerationandits potential to radicallyre-shapedominantcontext- ‘Critical Friends’, discussedthewiderandcomplex issuesaround theuniversity’s ethical later re-namedthe‘Academic ChallengePanel’, thendisbandedandre-launchedasthe the UCL Estates project delivery team. Thisgroup, whichpaved theway forwhatwas between UCL’s urbanandbuiltenvironment academicandprofessional communityand The initialStratford Propositionledto aninformalworking group beingsetupbridging 23 22 24 Cheltenham, UK;Northampton MAUSA: Edward ElgarPublishing, 257-279 global university’ inGoddard, J and along-term casestudy-basedresearchproject on university-led regeneration, since followed, including theestablishment ofaUCL PublicEngagementOfficer(East) identification ofanewdevelopment site withinthepark. Many positive actionshave UCL’s continuedrole asananchorregenerationinstitutionintheQEOP, andthe discussions between Mayor JohnsonandthenewProvost, MichaelArthur, regarding Addie, J-PandPaskins,J Melhuish, C., 2015, Casestudiesinuniversity-led urban regeneration. London:UCL UrbanLaboratory UCL andNewham:canUCL leadtheway withcommunity-led, evidence-based regeneration? (2012) ., 2016, University CollegeLondon:leveraging theciviccapacityof‘London’s . etal(eds) TheCivicUniversity: thepolicy andleadershipchallenges. 22 Y et thepaperalsocriticiseduniversity’s lack 23 However itwas quicklysupersededby 24

18 4 The existing data: defining ‘cultural infrastructure’ and culturalevents.’ should develop better qualitydata establishing thelocationofvenues, groups artistic effectivesupport policy making.’Its primaryrecommendationwas that‘TheMayor as awhole, butnotborough-by-borough: ‘existing data isnotsufficientlygranular to atnationalandregionallevels, inculture andsport participation i.e. covering London theatres, cinemasandtown centrefestivals andmarkets’. with theClientthatculturalactivitiesinNewhaminclude museums, galleries, heritage, the arts, culture, mediaandsport. For thepurposesofthisreport, ithasbeenagreed Infrastructure Study, which states, ‘“Culture”canhave anumberofdefinitions, covering to compare itwiththedefinitionpublishedinNewhamCouncil’s earlierCommunity ‘cultural infrastructure’thanthatsetoutintheMayor’s manifesto. Itisalsouseful thus indicates arathernarrower definitionofwhat mightbeconsidered to comprise to sixkey fields:arts, museumsandgalleries, archives, libraries, heritage andsport. It reasons forparticipation, barriers to andattitudes participation to thesectors, inrelation In theTaking survey, Part isdefined culturalparticipation by frequency ofparticipation, survey ‘Taking Part’, and venues inLondon’. forCulture, ItcriticisedtheDepartment (DCMS) MediaandSport Map in2010… thelastmajorattempt to understand theextent ofculturalparticipation There hasnotbeenany comprehensive statistical recordingsincetheLondonCulture evidence-based policiesandspending’, andthatwhatdata doesexist ‘isout-of-date. led regeneration. Itstated that‘moredata oncultureisneededfordeveloping strong communities’, italsowarned ofthedangersgentrificationstemming from culture- lack ofdata inthisarea. Whileendorsingtheprinciplethat‘culturehelpsboosts Tensions: optimisingthebenefitsofculturethroughregeneration, But in2017, from anewreport theLondonAssembly RegenerationCommittee, Creative ‘agent-of-change’ principle.’ for soundpoofingnewhomes, relieving pressureonthe existing venues inanarea–the London’, aswell as‘newpolicies… thatwould meandevelopers would bearthecosts ‘to protect creative workspace, heritage andthenight-timeeconomy in pitches, fashion studiosandmuchmore’, andemphasisestheimportance ofusing the and institutionsincludingtheatres, cinemas, musicvenues, pubs, skateparks, busking defines thecapital’s culturalinfrastructure assets asincluding‘allmannerofvenues requirements to planningupto informspatialandtransport 2030’. Thedocument world’s firstculturalinfrastructureplan, givingan overview ofallthecity’s cultural for “good growth”’, andannouncedthenewadministration’s intention to produce ‘the for allLondoners, underlinedtherole ofmy ofcultureas‘anotherimportant part vision same time, themanifesto documentwhichhepublishedinOctober ofthatyear, ACity affordable housing, shiftingthefocus away from landmarkculturalinitiatives. At the re-emphasised theimportance oftheOlympicparksite andenvirons asalocationfor been adrivingforcebehindthedelivery strategy fortheOlympiclegacy. Earlyon, Khan Sadiq Khanwas elected Mayor ofLondoninMay 2016, replacingBorisJohnsonwhohad 28 RegenerationCommittee March2017, p20 27 26 25 be carried out, JaneKennedy, ResearchBusiness ManagerinNewham’s Corporate Notwithstanding theStudy’s recommendationthataculturalprovision mappingexercise Creative tensions: optimisingthebenefits ofculturethrough regeneration. Newham Community InfrastructureStudyCulture andRegeneration, p1 A CityforallLondoners, GLAOct2016, p27. Taking Survey, Part DDCMS, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-part-survey 26 27 runningquarterly from 2005onwards, foronlyoffering data on 25 28 highlighted aconclusive 19 compared to Tower Hamlets 42.2%, andalsoabove theLondonaverage of45.1%). 13 (36.5% comparedto Hackney’s 32.6%)anduseofpubliclibrariesin2011-12(47.5% across thefive-year span, withthe exception ofvisits to museumsorgalleriesin2012- the fourboroughs, Newham’s rates participation inallareasareconsistently thelowest use, andcomparedto Londonborough averages of46.2% and62.1%respectively. Of an all-timelowof18%, thelowest ofany borough except forSouthwark at17%forlibrary Newham’s inlibrary servicesandarts events adultparticipation oractivitiesdropped to borough; andnumberofpremiseslicencesclubcertificates). In2012-13, Arts andCulture(theothersbeingnumberofpubsbars2001-16;tourism tripsby the Londonboroughs from 2008-13(minus 2009-10), asoneresourceoffourrelatingto of publiclibraries, visits to museumsandgalleries, andengagementinthearts’ across Table 3 of businessesworking withinthesoundandvideoindustry(seeTable 3). 43 architecture anddesignbusinesses, aswell as69%of textile manufacturers, and69% exploitation ofintellectual property’. Thisincluded218arts andcultureunits inuse, and talent andwhichhave apotential forwealth andjobcreationthrough thegenerationand Document: “thoseindustrieswhichhave theirorigininindividualcreativity, skilland ‘creative’ followingthedefinitiongiven inDCMS2001Creative IndustriesMapping and recordedsome653businessunits inthearea, ofwhich50%were deemedto be This studywas basedona‘walk-round survey’ andinterviews over two weeks in2014, LLDC subareas, andtherelationshipbetween economicactivityandphysical space. on thenumberandscaleofbusinessesinarts andculturesector withinthefour In 2014theLLDCpublishedaLocalEconomy Studywhichofferssomeusefuldata distilled inNewhamKey Facts), services directorate, andcoordinator ofits bi-annualHouseholdPanelSurvey (NHPS, and Markoandplacemakers. 33 galleries-and-engagement-arts 32 https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/use-public-libraries-visits-museums-and- 31 30 relating to cultural provision orparticipation aspx#NewhamHouseholdPanelSurveyNHPSWaves7and8. Itdoesnotincludedata 29 https://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Our-research. Officer East2013-16, andMinnaRuohonen(2016onwards), whohave beenresponsible Engagement Database East, through thework ofKimTownsend, PublicEngagement organisations intheareasince2013. UCL Culturehascompiledafairlyextensive Finally, UCL itself hasmadesomeinroads oncompilingdata oncultural andother far asIknowtherearenodata sets relatingto culturalinfrastructure’inNewham. the country. However in Newham was in2014arts participation reported to beoneofthelowest in (the lowest %) only 7%ofarts andculturebusinessesagreedto beinterviewed forthesurvey than thatof218artsandculturebusinesses 14 manufacturing-printingbusinessesoccupy abuildingfootprint3.5 timeslarger 46% ofbusinessesmoved into current premiseswithinlast3years 43% ofworkforce localto area 60% have aworkforce of5peopleorfewer 50% ofallbusinessesoccupy workshop typespaces located inHackney69% ofallbusinesses(448) WickandFishIsland(Subarea1) Liz Pearson, ArtsProfessional 2014, asabove LLDC LocalEconomy Study 2014. URSInfrastructure andEnvironment UK LTD correspondence withauthor 2ndJune2016 Selected findingsLLDC Local Economy Study2014 31 TheLondonDatastore, hosted by theGLA, holdsfoursets ofdata on‘Use 29 confirmedwhenapproached that‘as forthisreport 33 30 32

20 of thepark, from Stratfordto Hackney Wick, andconcluding atThreeMillsto thesouth. interviews aresupplemented by avisualsurvey ofarts andculturesites around theedge as well asperceptionsofUCL andthepotential impacts ofits arrival inthearea. The and problems ofculturalprovision, andcohesion around participation theOlympicPark, defined area, whichprovide somemorein-depthinsights into theperceived strengths interviews conducted withdifferentstakeholders intheculturalinfrastructureof In thefollowingsectionwe summarisethequalitative further findingsgenerated by six future work beyond thescopeofthisreport. community identityandwellbeing,supporting butwould demandasignificantamountof be consideredimportant partsoftheculturalinfrastructurearea, interms of parks, pubs, cafes, shoppingcentres, festivals, andsmallbusinesses, allofwhichmight structures andspaces, anddoesnotextend asfarschools, faithorganisations, on artsandheritage-focused organisations andworkspaces correlated to physical local authorityarea-basedweb resources, thedata we have compiledfocusesmainly an agreeddefinitionofculturalinfrastructure. Supplemented by internet searches, and have notdiscovered any comprehensive andaccessibledatabase whichalsoestablishes We have collated arangeofrelevant data from thesourcesdescribedabove. However we including LLDCandLBHackney. Prosperity Board, between UCL, apartnership government, businessesandcommunities, produce aProsperity Index accessibleto localpeople. Ithasalsoestablished theLondon community representatives inthreeareas, Hackney Wick, StratfordandEastV prosperity meansforcommunitiesinEastLondon, working withcitizenscientists and for GlobalProsperity hasbeencollaboratingwiththeLLDCto explore whatlong-term to talk to student-ageparticipants aboutlocalsocialandculturalissues. TheInstitute urban regeneration, whichbrought together 38UCL-based andlocalrepresentatives on theorganisation ofasecondUCL EastsummerschoolonthethemeofUniversity-led in Anthropology andGregThompson, Creative EntrepreneurinResidenceJuly2016 based groups. TheUCL UrbanLaboratory collaborated withProfessor MichaelStewart Stratford institutionssuchasUniversity ofEastLondon, andawiderangeofcommunity- a viewto linkingupacademicsandvolunteers from UCL withcounterparts atlocal for organising CreatingConnectionsevents atStratfordLibraryforseveral years with illage, to 21 5 New data which they hopeto occupy newpurpose-built spaceprovided withinthe redevelopment provided by theLLDC InHackney Wickwhich have alifespanofaround 10years, following programme oftheatreproductions andcommunityprogrammes intemporary premises developers. TheY frombut nowreliesonprecarious mainstreamarts fundingandsupport localproperty where theinterview was conducted. Itwas oftheParalympiclegacy, setupaspart disabled people, runby volunteers. Thisincludesthe council-ownedcommunitycentre around the LondonBorough ofNewhamto accommodate its freeandopenarts clubsfor Together! 2012doesn’t have apermanentaddress. Itisdependentonpop-upspaces permanence inthelocalbuiltinfrastructureandsecurity oftenure (seevisualsurvey). Each oftheorganisations visited occupiedadifferenttypeofspacealongthescale 1 are summarisedbelow: of casestudieswhichwe have produced, anumberofkey findings comethrough, which ethnically diverse communities. From theconversations conducted andrecordedina set 30s agegroup; olderlocalheritage volunteers; andordinarylocalpeoplefrom thearea’s organisers andparticipants; students andacademics;arts practitionersintheunder- (following theorderabove) disabilitygroups, libraryusersandsmall-scalelocalactivities diverse organisations representative ofcontrastingareasculturallifeandactivity: infrastructure indifferentgeographicalareasaround thepark, from theperspective of These interviews were setupwithaviewto providing snapshots ofthecultural • • • • • • area. Theorganisations we selected for interview were: infrastructure inthenext 5–10years; andviewsontheprospective arrival ofUCL inthe local culturalnetworks structures;prospects andsupport fordevelopment ofcultural and acquireinformationinfourkey areas: venue type, activitiesandaudiences;existing at Stour Space;andvisits to sixdifferentculturalorganisations to interview stakeholders local communitygroups andactivists inadiscussionevent on‘TheFutureoftheWick?’ infrastructure sites around thepark, conducted onfootover two days; with participation qualitative researcharound thepark. Thisincludedaphotographic survey ofcultural In June2017we supplemented ourdesk-based survey ofexisting data withsome Shortage offundingandphysicalspaceforShortage survivalanddevelopment City Challenge)andisnowbasedinaparishcentreIlford. of ordinarypeopleinandaround Stratfordsince1993(established ofStratford aspart Eastside CommunityHeritage, whichhasworked onprojects documentingthelives which would includeasignificantcultureandeducationprogramme; staffed by volunteers andintheprocess ofraisingfundsforanewrestoration project House Mill, aheritage site located southoftheOlympicPark, whichiscompletely East LondonandBirkbeckCollege; Square Stratforddevelopment runforhighereducationpurposesby University of UEL SchoolofArts andDigital Industries, whichoccupiesspace intheUniversity operating from temporary premisesprovided by theLLDC; The Yard TheatreandHub67inHackney Wick, performanceandcommunityspaces cultural andcommunityactivities, withafocusonresilience; run andfundedoperationwhichrunsboththelibraryacontinuousprogramme of Stratford andWest HamCommunityNeighbourhoodatStratfordLibrary, acouncil- community centreofV in pop-upspacesaround theborough ofNewham, includingthecouncil-owned Together! 2012, adisabilityartsorganisation whichrunsclubsfordisabledpeople ard andHub67-‘ararepublic-facing spaceinHackney Wick’-runa icarage Laneinthesouth-east; 22 Central ParkEastHam. centre, StratfordCulturalQuarter (StratfordCircus, TheatreRoyal andPicturehouse), or resources infamiliarvenues outside theOlympicpark, suchastheAtherton sports under-40s’. Ultimately localresidents are saidto prefer to access culturalandcommunity users: ‘too complicated, themeandering paths, theaesthetic… itwillbesiloedspacefor with insufficientparkingandinappropriate design, uninformed by inputfrom disabled Waterfront development inside theparkwillsimplybeinaccessibleto disabledvisitors, LLDC, ‘they can’t holdresidents’ hands’. Furthermore, itisanticipated thatthenew to walk there’, andeven though Newhamcouncillorsareworking closelywiththe The culturaldisconnectisunderscoredby the factthatlocalpeople‘don’t knowhow local communitiesby newhigh-rise building, andexacerbated by alackofsignage. park was describedas‘foreign to everyone’, physically andvisuallysegregated from level andculturalevents sporting areirrelevant to localconcernsand identities. The itself, duefirstly to physical infrastructure, andsecondly to a perception thathigh- divide between communitiesaround thepark, andtheworld embodiedwithinthepark Related to theseconcerns was anemphasisonthevery significantculturalandphysical 2 Enterprise Zonepilot, atleastintheimmediate vicinityof thepark. protection forcultural resourcesthrough its policy frameworks, suchastheCreative sites andbuildingsinits ownership, butwithlessevident faithinits capacityto provide on theGLAasapotential provider supply, ofspaceandresourcesinshort particularly boroughs around the perimeter ofthepark. Inanumberofcases, hopeswere pinned due to large-scale residential andcommercialdevelopment supported by theLLDCand rather thantheareasaround it, andaffordablephysical spacehadbecomemorescarce community. Resourceshadbeenredirected into large-scale initiatives insidethepark ‘speak avery corporate language’anddonotmake any to effort comeoutinto thelocal since theOlympics, andtheLLDClessapproachable. Itwas saidthatLLDCofficers UEL), aviewwas expressed further thatfundinghadbecomelessavailable intheyears borough support, and threatfrom larger organisations. Infive casesofthesix(excluding survival incomingyears, basedontheprecarityoffunding streams, absenceoflocal six interviewees (excluding StratfordLibraryandUEL)expressed concernforcontinuing programme dueto lackofresources, buthopesto dosoinfuture. However, fouroutof the exception ofHouseMillwhichhasbeenunableto develop aculturalengagement arts andcultureprovision to differentlocalaudiencesaround theOlympicPark, with All oftheseorganisations have well-established reputations fordelivering high-quality and nowoccupiesrented spaceintherundownCardinalHeenanparishcentreIlford. subsequently moved to anumberofdifferentlocationsaround andbeyond theborough Eastside CommunityHeritage was originallybasedinStratfordOldTown Hall, buthas remain open, andkeen toalternative identify sourcesofrevenue forfuturedevelopment. and educationcentre, dependentonHeritage Lottery fundingandsomerental incometo mill buildingsouthoftheOlympicParkwhichisoperated by volunteers asaheritage said to bewithdrawingfrom theStratford site. TheHouseMillisaGradeIlisted historic departments oftheSchoolarebasedatits campusinDocklands, andBirkbeckCollegeis dance spaceintheStratfordCircusArts Centre. However, themanagementandother Quarter inthetown centre, whichisshared withBirkbeckCollege. Italsorents additional University SquareStratford, apurpose-builtdevelopment adjacentto StratfordCultural UEL’s SchoolofArts andDigital Industriesrunsits from performingarts department fromowned andrunpremisesdueforrefurbishmentwithsupport developer Lendlease. other localpartnerships, whichisbased atStratfordLibrary, apurpose-built, council- of communityandculturalactivitiesfundedby NewhamCouncilandthrough many events income. StratfordCommunityNeighbourhooddelivers acontinuousprogramme the creationofFoundation forFutureLondonandthey relyoncommercialrentals and of QueensY Cultural disconnectbetweenlocalcommunitiesandparkresources ard. Theirfundinglifelinefrom theLLDCLegacy Listcharitywas cutoffwith 23 the park, ‘willwipeusout’. As oneinterviewee putit, ‘IfNewhamhasachoice ofworking strong fearwas voiced thatultimately UCL, alongwith theother‘bigplayers’ comingto and ofshowinganunwillingness to collaborate withexperienced localstakeholders. A was accused ofwasting localorganisations’ timeswithmeetingsthatled to nothing, have flourishedlocallyfor decades, butalsothreaten theirsurvival. Morethanonce, UCL only failto acknowledgeandengage withestablished activitiesintheseareaswhich making, performance, disabilityinnovation, andeven highereducationitself, whichnot surprise anddismay atUCL’s rhetoric andnewinitiatives around heritage, archiving, understand, fastjeopardisinglocalinterest. Thereisaclearlyarticulated senseof surrounding communities, and, like theLLDC, speakingalanguagethatno-onecan cultural resources, failingto learnfrom theexperts whoarealready embeddedinthe On theotherhand, interviewees airedconcernsthatUCL was overlooking existing eastbeyondfurther Stratford to BarkingandDagenhamtheThamesGateway. gap between BAMEstudents andothers, focusedonthelocalcontext butalsoextending forUELas agoodacademicresearchpartner intheareaofattainment particularly suitable rent. Itwould help‘to putsmallorganisations onthemap’. UCL was alsoprofiled and accessto physical spaceforexhibitions, events, archives, andeven officeuse-ata includingnewsourcesoffunding,for partnership embeddedjointtrainingprogrammes, were expressed thattheuniversity’s presenceinthepark couldopenupopportunities bring newaudiencesto venues, reinvigorating theexisting culturalinfrastructure. Hopes might beableto deliver onvaluable resourcesforstressedlocalorganisations aswell as UCL isseenasagoodpotential ‘established partner’, committed forthelong-haul, which ranged from disappointed andantagonistic, to positive andoptimistic. Ontheonehand, Among theinterviewees, responsesto UCL’s prospective arrival intheOlympicPark 3 local areaastheformerindustrialpowerhouse ofLondon. outside theparkwhich, like HouseMill, specificallyengagewiththelongerhistory ofthe organisations, andalsowhatspacetheremay befornewkindsofheritage initiative cultural initiatives whichtheLLDCispromoting atthe expense ofsmallergrassroots whether suchdiversity canbesustained inthefaceof newlarge-scale institutional scale ofcostlynewdevelopments andhighstreet‘improvements’. Thequestionisboth network ofmyriad low-key churchesandmosquesacross thearea, overshadowed by the of thelocalStratfordshoppingcentreandalonghighstreet, andnodoubtinthe informal multi-ethnicculturalinfrastructureappearsto bethrivingintheunits andstalls workshops celebratingtheborough’s history andmulticulturalheritage. At thesametime, Eastside CommunityHeritage): walks, visits to historic sites, ‘oral history bike rides’, and range ofactivitiesorganised by different localgroups (includingthelong-established adynamicannualNewhamHeritagedoes support Week whichencompassesawide resistance to establishing apermanentlocalmuseumandcollections. However, it that theidea‘peoplebringtheirownculturewiththem’ underpinsthecouncil’s health andresilienceinterms ofculturalinfrastructure. Oneinterviewee explained borough-sponsored culturally-specificprogramming, focusinginstead onissuesaround Newham councilfollowsa‘colour-blind’integration policy, whichmeansabanon who arebeingpricedoutoftheOlympicsboroughs. likely to engagewithparkresourcesinfuture, butwillalsodisplaceexisting communities Olympics-led regeneration–to younger, whiter, wealthier constituencies, whoaremore to bemet. concernsaround Thereareparticular thelossofculturaldiversity through expectations andattainment ifgoalsforwideningparticipation inhighereducationare and stressestheneedto acknowledgeissuesembeddedwithinculturaldiversity and of religion. UEL hasa70%BAMEstudent population, drawnmainlyfrom thelocalarea, background’ reports Together!2012, ofwhomthemajorityareobservant ofsomeform identity andappropriate provision ofculturalinfrastructure:‘we have peoplefrom every or dialects arespoken inNewham)hassignificantimplicationsfordefinitionsofcultural In addition, communitydiversity drawnalongethnicandreligiouslines(1,500languages Potential threatposedby UCL andother‘bigplayers’ 24 which areinneedofculturalandinstitutionalinvestment. encompass thestill-neglected areasofIlford, , CanningTown andDocklands gentrification, andacademicconcern inHackney andNewham, east andfurther to expand its horizonsofinterest, beyond thealreadywell-defined areasofregeneration, and localneighbourhoodscommunities. Finally, itissuggested thatUCL needsto university to besited insidetheparkgiven thesignificantdisconnectbetween thepark the park, andthatitisneitherinUCL’s own interests, northatofits neighbours, forthe uneven distributionofresourcesbetween culturalinfrastructureinsideandoutside site withintheperimeters contribute oftheOlympic Parkwillfurther to thealready with UCL orus, whodoyou thinkthey’ll want to work with?’Itissuggested thatUCL’s 25 6 Recommendations for future work to develop researchembedded inthelocalculturalcontext. years, andprovide along-term resourcefrom whichtheUniversity canlearnandcontinue cluster leader), acollectionthathasanEastLondon focus. This could changeevery three through the CentreforCriticalHeritage Studies(inwhichUrbanLaboratory isaresearch co-curate withlocalpeople, andincollaborationwithUCL colleaguesacross facultiesand 3 Long-term b) shared activities, and to hostlocalinitiatives; hoods, withafocusonthepotential ofanewUrbanRoomatUCL Eastto provide ahubfor festo ofprinciplesforculturalinteraction between UCL Eastandsurrounding neighbour- a) 2 Mid-term cultural infrastructure, andbetter communicationofthese aspects. b) hance coordinationofUCL activitiesinthelocalarea; constitute atangible resourceforlocalcommunitiesarisingfrom thisreport, anden- which would significantlyupdate and expand theLLDC’s LocalDirectory inadigital form, al infrastructuregeographicallywithintheareas, withdetails ofactivitiesandcontacts, a) 1 Immediate frames: continuing work withlocalorganisations, intheimmediate, mid-term andlong-term time- UCL Eastandits outreachactivities. endorsesthefollowingareasof Hencethereport research andinterviews whichmightfeedbackinto theplanningandprogramming of have expressed inprincipleawillingnessto continueadiscussionstemming from this bers, departments andinitiatives atUCL. Notwithstanding, anumberoflocalstakeholders transparency around UCL’s organisation andcoordinationbetween differentstaff mem- appointed by lackoffollow-up. Inaddition, thereisconsiderablefrustrationatthelackof UCL Culture’s CreatingConnectionsevents atStratfordLibrary, andsometimesbeendis- academics orpublicengagementofficersinsomecapacitythepast, or taken in part ness amonginterviewees andpotential interviewees, mostofwhomhadalreadymetUCL for anewcampus. Y mation abouttheuniversity’s intentions, proposed programme ofactivities, anddesigns around theOlympicPark, whohave waited foranumberofyears formoreconcrete infor- engaging withUCL Eastamonglocalstakeholders intheexisting culturalinfrastructure Based onthesecorefindings, proposes thisreport thatthereisconsiderableinterest in further interviews/further group sessionswithlocalorganisations to co-produce amani- production ofpubliclyaccessibledata visualisationlocating differenttypesofcultur- seek to bringtogether andinvest fundinginmaintaining andextending datasets. renewal ofemphasiswithintheUCL existing Eastvisiononsupporting socialand et thereisalsoacertain degreeof‘consultation fatigue’andwari- 26 7 Conclusion: implications for the UCL East Vision as recentlyre-stated by AlanPenn, Dean oftheFaculty oftheBuiltEnvironment (24 needs to survive, flourish, andsustain futuregenerationsinthearea. Furthermore, and cultural infrastructurewhichalreadyexists butisdesperately oftheresourcesit short It isvital thatasthevisionforUCL Eastdevelops itcontinuesto begrounded inthe environment ofeastLondon. and collaborative researchagendawhichhasmeasurableimpactonthecultural on strong from support localcommunitieswithintheframework ofamutuallybeneficial flourish andmaintain aninternational researchprofile, itwillneed toensurethatitdraws cutting-edge, collaborative research andteaching whichwillallowthesedisciplinesto ‘starved ofspacefordecades’. IfUCL Eastisto succeedasahighqualityenvironment for while otherareas, notably Humanities, SocialSciencesandEngineeringhave been sustaining UCL itself –nowcomprisingover 60%medicalandlifesciencedisciplines, 2017, ‘Eastern Update’), thevisionforUCL Easthasavital role to play inrebalancingand th Oct 27 Selected bibliography 2012. UrbanStudies. 47(10):2069-2091. Development: SmallBusinessCommunitiesandtheLondonOlympics Raco, M. andEmmaTunney, 2010, V Routledge international comparisonofurbanregenerationstrategies Porter, L. andShaw, K. (eds), 2008, WhoseUrbanRenaissance?An Palgrave Macmillan:London Olympics: anethnography. Palgrave StudiesinUrbanAnthropology. Lindsay, I., 2014, ‘TheNew(Ham)World’, inLindsay, I., LivingwithLondon’s Unpublished UrbanStudiesMScdissertation, UCL. Hatcher, C., 2010, Forced evictions andtheLondon2012OlympicGames. City: AHollowLegacy? London:Palgrave Macmillan Cohen, P., andPaulWatt (eds), 2017, London 2012andthePost-Olympics isibilities andInvisibilities inUrban . London: 28 Selected images UEL: oldandnew(West Ham/University SquareStratford) The Y Stratford Library, Stratfordtown centre Together! 2012, West Ham Eastside CommunityHeritage, The HouseMill, ThreeMills, Bromley-by-Bow ard TheatreandHub67, Hackney Wick