- Proposal for a new vision of Custom House -

CUSTOM HOUSE PROPOSAL Revitalising the neighborhood through community-oriented spatial interventions This design response proposes a community-oriented Custom House whose social infrastructure will be revitalised in accordance with the neighbourhood’s physical regeneration. Given the area’s struggles with crime induced socio-spatial stigmatisation, our plan aims to re- map Custom House: embedding new positive features within its de- sign through which it can be identified—changing the associations and connotations of place.

Utilising a combination of the perspectives and expertise gained through Newham Council’s participatory planning process and our own neighbourhood analysis, our approach aims to constructive- ly engage with the issues affecting Custom House residents. Building from this, our proposal expands on the current regeneration plans— placing greater emphasis on community empowerment. To articulate this community-oriented vision, we have divided our proposal into three principles which address: the socio-economic integration of Cus- tom House within its broader locality; the neighbourhood’s identity and reputation; as well as its safety and accessibility. Whilst these principles THANK YOU are then broken down further into guidelines with corresponding inter- ventions, each element of the overall strategy is interconnected and mutually constitutive. GROUP 2: Karen Waneska at Newham Council AUTHORS The strategy articulated in this proposal addresses the need for cohesive multi-temporal, multi-scalar interventions that go beyond just Madhulikaa A.S. Christine Ogunkanmi and protecting the interests of the Custom House community when the re- Milagros Balparda Faraz Kayani at the Custom House generation process is complete. Instead our design response will help Cécile Bouchet Regeneration Hub for answering provide the necessary opportunities and social cohesion required to J. Omar Corona B. our numerous questions Laia Garcia Fernandez re-conceptualise Custom House both within the neighbourhood and outside. Ollie Joseph Naomi Pomfret and Sarah Min Ren Atkinson for attending our indi- vidual work at the Crystal Building 28th April 2020 and for providing useful feedback EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 I. Area of study— 6-7 a. London context 6 b. Newham context 7 II. SWOT analysis 14 III. The process of reversing fear-induced behaviours 18 IV. Timeline of the interventions 21 V. Actor mapping 22-23 VI. Timeline of interventions under principle 1 27 a. Timeline of intervention 1.A.1 28 contents b. Custom House and ExCeL mutual interests 28 c. Custom House and its boundaries 28 d. Potential resident actors to be involved in Excel employment program 29 e. ExCel offering more employment opportunities for Custom House residents 29 List of figures 03 f. Timeline of intervention 1.B.1 30 g. Freemasons Road reactivation: Mixed uses 30 Context 06 h. Shops in Freemasons Road. Some of them are closed and the urban spaces are deteriorated 31 i. Mixed-use redistribution in Freemasons Road 31 SWOT: Analysis of the site 14 j. Timeline of intervention 1.B.2 32 k. Examples of hostile and inclusive furniture 32 Vision: Principle, Guideline, Intervention 18 l. Analysis of the urban furnitures found around Custom House 33 m. Timeline of intervention 1.C.1 34 Timeline 21 n. Establishment of a local market in Ronan Square 34 Actor Mapping o. Space occupied by the market once a week 34 22 p. Local market promotes employment to local communities 35 1: Open-up the boundaries of Custom House for 24 VII. Timeline of interventions under principle 2 39 better integration within the broader context of a. Timeline of intervention 2.A.1 40 the city. b. Getting adults and young to work together 40 c. Shipman Youth Centre 41 Guidelines: 1.A, 1.B, 1.C d. Workshops rotation network of Custom House’s available spaces 41 e. Timeline of intervention 2.A.2 42 Interventions: 1.A.1, 1.B, 1.C f. Visibility and Diffusion of Youth creative production 42 g. Creating spaces of youth expression 42 2: Nurture a positive and constructive identity of 36 h. Potential places to host youth events 43 Custom House - both within the community and i. Areas of intervention 2.B.1 44 outside j. Map of drug crime activities 44 k. Youth activities reactivation 44 Guidelines 2.A, 2.B l. Areas of intervention 1.B.1 45 m. Cundy Park with temporary events of music and sports, transforming its use and inviting new users 45 Interventions 2.A.1, 2.A.2, 2.B.1, 2.B.2 n. Timeline of intervention 2.B.2 46 o. Redesign the built environment to prevent crime 46 3: Foster a safer neighbourhood environment: enrich 48 p. Overview map of areas of interventions of principle 2 47 sociability and increase local accessibility by promot- ing the adoption of alternative modes of transport. VIII. Timeline of interventions under principle 3 51 a. Timeline of intervention 3.A.1 52 Guidelines 3.A, 3.B, 3.C b. A new cycle path for Custom House 52 c. Map of the proposed cycling and pedestrian paths 52 Interventions 3.A.1, 3.B.1, 3.C.1, 3.C.2 d. View of how the street would be shared between cars, cyclists and pedestrians—before and after 53 e. Timeline of intervention 3.B.1 54 Conclusion 63 f. Learn. Engage. Discover. 54 g. Discovering Custom House’s surroundings 54 References 65 h. Timeline of intervention 3.C.1 55 i. Increase the number of pedestrian crossings 55 j. Map of existent and proposed crossings 55 k. Timeline of intervention 3.C.2 56 l. View of an area with improved street furniture and cycling facilities 56 IX. Overall map of all the interventions 58-59 X. Axonometric view of the projected urban transformations in Custom 60-61 House LIST OF FIGURES 3 View from the Custom House DLR station footbridge, Authors' own (2020) CONTEXT INTRODUCTION

London Borough

Queen Elizabeth of Newham Olympic Park

DLR Stations Gallions Reach Shopping Mall

Custom House

Excel Exhibition London Centre City Airport

I.b Area of study—Newham context Greater London Borough of Newham London London Borough of Newham

Custom House

Custom House suffers effects of the problematic reduc- However, the Custom I.a Area of study—London context from simultaneous stigmatisa- tion in government and local au- House regeneration project aims tion within media discourse and thority spending, aggravated by a to unlock this neighbourhood’s issues of antisocial and violent depletion in council housing stock potential—building on existing behaviours within the community. due to buy-back programmes. community networks in order to The stark contrast between the The dated built environment, lack upgrade the built environment depreciating urban environment of community-orientated public and restore livelihoods. The active of Custom House juxtaposed space and a sense of insecurity effort from local authorities and with the regenerated neigh- shared amongst locals and out- residents to make this process in- bouring areas of Canning Town siders has resulted in the internal- clusive presents opportunities to Custom House, is situated in the London Borough of Newham in and the Royal Docks, contribute isation of fear-based behaviours. reverse the current trends and ad- East London. Although Newham as a borough performs poorly (relative to this stigma and increases the Furthermore, the lack of provision dress some of the issues afflicting to London and the UK), when looking at socio-economic indicators, it sense of exclusion from city-lev- for non-motorised forms of trans- the area. The participatory nature is heterogeneous in terms of infrastructure and prosperity at the neigh- el dynamics. As a result, Custom port and poor integration of Cus- of the project also helps shed light bourhood level (Trust for London, 2019). Indeed, some areas have been House remains one of the poor- tom House with local amenities on the rich diverse community life through transformative urban regeneration—including major commer- est neighbourhoods within one such as the ExCeL hinders resi- and helps put local needs at the cial and infrastructure projects. However, many highly residential ar- of London’s least affluent bor- dents’ quality of life. forefront of the vision for Custom eas, such as Custom House, are in need of upgrading and attention. oughs. This is in part due to the House.

6 7 LOCAL PLAN 2018 CUSTOM HOUSE REGENERATION PROCESS

Having started in July 2016, the Custom House regenera- tion plan aims to deliver: 800-900 new housing units, (50% being council owned), improve the connectivity, safety and accessibility of Freemasons Road and the surrounding area as well as enable a favourable job-creating environment through utilising its prox- imity to the station. To mitigate against the upheaval this building work is set to cause, a phased approach is being adopted—which is in part to ensure that no local residents are displaced against their will (Newham 2019).

Unlike many other London regeneration projects, Ne- wham’s Mayor Rokhsana Diaz has made efforts to involve Custom Newham’s masterplan is articulated around a broad vision House residents in the decision and designing process. The par- to revitalise the area by 2033 (Newham Local Plan 2018). This vi- ticipation of the community, through the engagement of elected sion focuses on “growth” with plans for 43,000 new homes, 60,000 community representatives in the steering group, provides space new jobs and 49,000 new residents. Additionally, the council have for the residents to express their opinions and to the council to outlined four principle objectives which cover development op- address their concerns. In an effort to maintain transparency and portunities, socio-spatial improvement, growth and the role of communication, the council has established the Regeneration Newham at local and city level. Hub which allows residents to stay informed on the decisions tak- en and the progress made. If run adequately, Custom House’s par- Our study area is referred to in the plan as strategic site ticipatory process provides a real opportunity for the council to S28, Custom House/Freemasons (p. 262). Here, the emphasis has roll out a human-scale project which empowers all local residents, been placed on the intensification of the area; in terms of housing, both new and old. Furthermore, this form of engagement is im- community and commercial space portant in rebuilding trust within the community through enhanc- ing accountability.

8 9 RONAN POINT REMEMBERED

“The collapse of Ronan Point was an unexpected and awful tragedy, but it is a part of the history of Custom House and Newham, and should not be forgotten” - Patricia Jolly addressing the audience at St Mark’s Church Community Centre in Beckton in May 2018 during the memorial event commemorating the Ronan Point tragedy.

We propose that the area it is poignant that this square is of public space located at the named in its honour, so that this intersection of Freemasons and story can be placed at the heart Coolfin Roads should be renamed of the Custom House community. Ronan Square after the 1968 Ron- Furthermore, in 2018 the Mayor an Point Disaster. This tragic event of Newham expressed her desire in which a 22-story block was par- to honour this event with a per- tially destroyed in a gas explosion manent reminder (Long 2018). just 200m from Freemasons Road, Using the naming of this nucleic resulted in four people losing community space instead of opt- their lives (Newland 2008). The ing for more traditional monu- acts of placemaking and memori- mental forms common in public alisation help to build a sense of commemoration provides a more attachment for local residents — fitting way in which to ensure that ensuring that lessons are learned the events of Ronan Point are not from this disaster (Mowler 2004). forgotten. As the subsequent enquiries re- vealed that this event was due to insufficient building regulations and failures by the local govern- Source: Your Custom House News- ment to build a safe and secure letter, Winter (2018) View from the corner of Freemasons road and Coolfin road, Authors' own (2020) environment for local residents, 10 11 Street art on Victora Docks Road, Authors' own (2020) ANALYSIS OF THE SITE: SWOT How a place of opportunities has been hampered by stigmatisation and inadequate infrastructure

The increasing crime rates in the area have Custom House benefits from being well connect- Sense of caused a sense of fear among the public and restrict- ed by public transport, with its high-street well integrated Transport safety ed the area’s walkability especially at certain times of with the train station and major bus stops. The combina- – Mobility, the day, in particular, after sunset. This has created tion of local busses and the DLR link it to central London (perceived by a certain ‘branding’ or ‘image’ for the area which as well as to surrounding employment and retail cen- connections could be alleviated with the right kind of socio-spa- tres such as Stratford and Beckton. However, in community) tial interventions aimed at addressing this territorial terms of pedestrian walkability and cycling stigmatisation and its causes. This highlights the facilities, Custom House has fairly poor Good transport connectivity importance of the participatory process as new infrastructure. The upcoming Elizabeth redevelopment projects carried out with- Line is promising for local mobility Good connectivity with Criminality and high the city rate in crime out proper information and consultation but could further intensify the sense with the locals could further lead to that Custom House is an area that Poor walkability Problem of image/ mistrust and increase the sense of one passes through rather than branding of Custom unease. a place which people identify with Poor cycling House and spend a prolonged amount of infrastructure Misinterpretation could time in. More connectivity with lead to mistrust and upcoming Elizabeth sense of unease among Line residents Threat of Custom House transformed into a transient place

Spatial Dynamic quality of the C u s t o m H o u s e Custom House’s urban surrounding sits amidst the Royal environment is homogeneous Docks and Canning Town and existing Homogenous environ- in nature, dominated by resi- which are undergoing rap- ment dential buildings and lacking the id redevelopment. Given its urban fabric Lack of integration to vibrancy of the mixed-use typolo- proximity to these expanding city-level infrastructure gies—with even public spaces not neighbourhoods, it has become Poor use of public being properly utilised. As there are a strategic site for the develop- High inflow of people space no listed buildings in Custom House, Lack of sense of identity ment of new infrastructure, notably the absence of heritage-related legal re- Poor integration into and belonging the ExCeL Centre. Yet, if the Centre certainly strictions can make the area more permissible Excel dynamic Great potential for brings footfall and economic activity into the to broader totalistic interventions. Despite its rel- place-making area, the failure to integrate it properly within Poor integration of atively non-distinctive aesthetic and its apparent lack Custom House has minimised its positive im- Custom House with its Better use of public of local landmarks, Custom House has nonetheless a pact for local residents. Similarly, the growing surroundings space great potential for place-making. However, the exist- Strength prosperity seen throughout the wider Docklands Permissable to broader ing and upcoming developments in the surrounding Possibility of economic area has not resulted in an improvement in the totalistic interventions area provide a stark reminder of how regeneration opportunities Weakness economic or social realities for Custom House’s Improper use of green can result in the privatisation of public spaces and residents who have remained marginalised de- Attracting new people, spaces loss of local character. social dynamics Opportunity spite these changes to the broader urban fabric. Gentrification Threat

14 II: SWOT analysis 15 VISION 16 17 Potentiate a community-based approach to re- verse the effects of fear-induced behaviours and reduce socio-spatial stigma.

Our vision for Custom socio-economic issues facing House is a community-orient- Custom House today. Improved “ You can’t make ed neighbourhood, whose ac- living standards and social mo- tive and secure streets are busy bility are essential for restoring people use streets with locals and visitors alike. neighbourhood attachment and Our proposal expands on the thus combating the internalisa- they have no current regeneration plans for tion of stigma (Gourlay 2007). reason to use… Custom House, recognising the Reversing the effects of fear-in- value and importance of the in- duced behaviours in Custom [or] make people sights gained from the participa- House is a necessary step in or- tory planning procedure (Bailey der to ensure the long-term so- watch streets they 2010). We are primarily focusing cio-economic prosperity of this on the social landscape of Cus- community. do not want to tom House, addressing its prob- lematic stigmatisation and the We envision a secure and watch” underlying socio-economic caus- thriving Custom House, with the es (Gourlay 2007). Socio-spatial opportunities this brings ena- - Jane Jacobs (1961:35 stigma occurs when external bling a greater sense of pride actors characterise and under- within the community as well as stand a locality through negative aiding the neighbourhood’s in- III: The process of reversing associations (Rolnik 2013)—this tegration within the wider area fear-induced behaviours often results in the internalisation (Jacobs 1961). Reversing fear induced behaviors: of a sense of inferiority (Koutro- likou 2015). Due to its enduring As not to undermine the Economic growth and local business Economic growth and local business nature, it is crucial to overtly en- participatory process, our pro- Youth promotion promotion and events and events gage with this notion of stigma posal seeks to operate in ac- Transport and accessibility which can persist even after al- cordance with a majority of the Transports and accessibility terations have been made to the council’s strategy. However, our physical environment (Dean and approach broadens the scope Hastings 2000). of the regeneration, focusing less on the physical environment We aim to build upon ex- and housing provision and more isting community infrastructure, on social and community infra- empowering local residents by structure. Furthermore, we plan providing them with a diverse to enlarge the regeneration area range of opportunities. This is to ensure that its benefits are felt required in order to tackle the throughout Custom House. 18 19 OVERVIEW TIMELINE

PRINCIPLES GUIDELINES INTERVENTIONS

Include Custom House into the economic dynamics of the Custom House surrounding area to generate benefits "Job Bank" network 1 and job opportunities OPEN-UP the boundaries Mixed-use of Custom House for a Build upon the regeneration project Freemasons Road better INTEGRATION on Freemasons Road and its proximity Improved within the broader context to the ExCeL Centre public furniture of the city Capitalise on public space to use for public events to benefit the Ronan Square community weekly market

Co-production, mentoring Increase youth activities in Custom and neighborhood watch House to get teenagers off the streets 2 and make them the main actors for Youth creative initiatives NURTURE a positive and change and progress and activities constructive IDENTITY of Custom House—both within the community and Route of green safe outside space Target high drug crimes areas to make them more accessible and attractive Built environment for residents and visitors interventions

Walking/cycling links 3 Improve publically accessible spaces between green spaces FOSTER a safer neigh- Open-up the boundaries of Custom bourhood environment: Create community-led activities to Cycling skills House for better integration within the broader context of the city. ENRICH sociability and promote cycling as a mode of training session & INCREASE accessibility by transport local collective ride promoting the adoption of Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom House — both alternative modes of x2 pedestrian crossings within the community and outside transport Improve walking and cycling facilities along Freemasons Rd for a more Appropriate bycicle Foster a safer neighbourhood environ- welcoming and friendly experience parking facilities ment: enrich sociability and increase local accessibility by promoting the adoption of alternative modes of IV. Timeline of the interventions transport. 20 21 ACTOR MAPPING

Newham Council A vision supported Custom House Newhan Local Plan Regeneration team by a rich and diverse community and a wide Local private sector array of external actors Directorate of Inclusive Economy & Housing Other sectors and organisations Newhan Employment Strategy Private investors & contractors Business owners & employers International investors

Local social Commission Excel Centre actors Brighter Futures PEACH Business sponsors Directorate of Children & Art scene Custom House Young People job centre Church Business sponsors Renewal Program stonansfield Schools Directorate of Media Community & Cycle & Environment & London public Library youth centres repair shops Sustainable Cyclist institutions Scouts transport onfident London Plan Residents Unemployed Newham Cyclist Cyclist England Police Healthy Street for London Other residents Self-employed Mentors Parents Students & Local residents TfL Youth part-time Local artists Commuters CUSTOM HOUSE LOCAL LEVEL OPEN-UP the NURTURE a PROMOTE a CITY LEVEL boundaries of positive and safer neigh- COMMUNITY A rich and diverse community with great potential (Newham aggregate data) Custom House constructive bourhood for a better IDENTITY of environment: 50+% of residents 35+% of residents INTEGRATION Custom House - ENRICH sociabil- born outside the UK* under the age of 25* within the both within the ity and broader context community and INCREASE for 40+% of residents 75% of residents of the city outside accessibility by English is not the main are economically promoting the language* active (16 to 64 yrs)** Main actor groups adoption of 90% of residents agree Actors for each principle alternative people from different 70% of new residents backgroungs get on well are in paid employment*** Other actors common to the 3 principles modes of trans- in their local area*** Other shaping forces port

Data from * Newham: key statistics 2017, Aston-Mansfield (2017); ** Office V. Actor mapping for National Statistics website (Oct 2018 - Sep 2019); *** Understanding Newham 2017: Findings from Wave 9 of the Newham Household Panel Survey, Ipsos MORI (2018)

22 23 Economic growth and local business

PRINCIPLE 1

Open-up the boundaries of Custom House for better integration within the broader context of the city. GUIDELINES

SHORT TERM MID TERM LONG TERM

a.1

b.1

b.2

c.1

2 y 5 y 10 y

VI. Timeline of Interventions under Principle 1

1.A Creating a plan that can make Custom House more included • 1.A.1 Custom House ‘Job into the economic dynamics of the surrounding area in order to Bank’ Network generate benefits for the local community; such as increased in- comes and youth job opportunities.

Focus the regeneration project on Freemasons Road, which 1.B • 1.B.1 Mixed-use Fremasons occupies a central position in the neighbourhood, due to the high Road density of local businesses. The plan should aim to capitalise on the area’s proximity to the ExCeL Centre. • 1.B.2 Improved public furni- ture

Capitalise on publicly accessible space in order to facilitate its 1.C • 1.C.1 Ronan Square weekly use for a broad range of public events and community benefits. Open-up the boundaries of Custom House market for better integration within the broader 1 context of the city.

It is crucial for the success of Custom House’s redevelopment, that the neighbourhood becomes better integrated within its broader context. The ExCeL Centre is a large capacity convention and exhi- bition centre bringing economic activity into the area. However, the benefits of Custom House’s proximity to this space have not been felt. As the locality’s socio-economic nucleus, Freemasons Road pro- vides an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the footfall provided by local amenities such as ExCeL. It is hoped that this redevelopment project helps break down the metaphysical barriers constraining Cus- tom House and its residents, enabling productive integration with the broader area. Welcoming urban Urban furnitures Local productsproducts WeeklyWeekly market Job JobOppurtunities creation SustainableSustainable economic StrongStrong social social fabric fabric Economic growth

26 27 Open-up the boundaries of Custom House for better INTERVENTION Custom House residents 1 integration within the broader context of the city A.1

a.1 YOUTH DISABLED WOMEN FAMILIES

VI.a Timeline of intervention 1.A.1

Through the construction of a network designed to facilitate and streamline existing job-cen- tre infrastructure—local unem- ployed residents could advertise their skills and availability in a YOUTH DISABLED WOMEN FAMILIES Employing young residents is With the help of the employ- Women empowerment and Providing job opportunities to Custom House ‘Job Bank.’ This of core importance in order to ment hub in Custom House will independence is crucial to family members that are among would help local employers such reduce the crime rates in the be possible to track residents promote relations of equality the most vulnerable in the area as those based in ExCeL recruit neigbourhood by giving the with disabilities and give them among neighbours, and to is crucial to protect the families young generations new oppor- job opportunities according to ensure that their kids will have and their siblings. directly from the local workforce, tunities of job and education. their skills in the Excel. access to education. thus harnessing the employment Custom and economic potential for the House Custom House community. $$ $$ VI.d Potential resident actors to be involved in Excel employment program For this plan to be suc- cessful, the following actors would Whilst the Job Bank will help all residents benefit from local need to work together: Excel employment opportunities, those who are more vulnerable and/or dis- • Excel Centre recruitment advantaged within the job market will be given greater priority such as office the youth, residents with disabilities, women and the heads of house- • Custom House Employment holds. Hub • Newham employment strate- gic plan VI.b Custom House and ExCeL • Custom House residents mutual interests

Neighbours employed currently at Excel

Neighbours employed after the implementation

VI.e ExCel offering more employment opportunities for Custom House residents When does this The proximity of the ExCeL to Custom House means that it will be the immediate focus of the Job Bank in the short term. This connec- intervention take tion needs to be activated as soon as the program starts, with the aim that this relationship will grow in the long-term. VI.c Custom House and and its boundaries place?

28 29 Open-up the boundaries of Custom House for better INTERVENTION 1 integration within the broader context of the city B.1

SHORT TERM MID TERM LONG TERM

b.1 VI.f Timeline of intervention 1.B.1

Recalibrating and reac- tivating Freemasons Road to VI.h Shops in Freemasons Road. Some of them are closed and the urban spaces are deteriorated function as a mixed use high- street: addressing the needs of local residents whilst providing prosperity and employment for the area. The central position of Freemasons Road within Cus- tom House and its proximity to ExCeL and the station makes it an obvious focal point for the re- generation’s business strategy

Custom House

Secondary products

Public infrastructures Excel

VI.i Mixed-use redistribution in Freemasons Road Restaurants/ Food delivery

Primary products When does this The alterations to Freemasons Road outlined in the original re- generation programme should be completed within the first two years. The implementation of a mixed-use model for the high-street would be Local market VI.g Freemasons Road reactivation:- intervention take Mixed uses place? an ongoing process lasting approximately 5 years.

30 31 Open-up the boundaries of Custom House for better INTERVENTION 1 integration within the broader context of the city B.2

SHORT TERM MID TERM LONG TERM

b.2 VI.j Timeline of intervention 1.B.2

VI.k Examples of hostile and inclusive furniture Improving public furniture in and around Freemasons Road through the removal of hostile ar- chitectural design elements. This helps to make streets more wel- coming and inclusive, whilst en- suring that vulnerable members of society such as rough-sleepers are not designed-out or margin- alised. This intervention seeks to Example of hostile urban Example of inclusive urban make public space more repre- furniture in Ronan Square furniture in Cundy Park sentative and avoid prescribing usage onto public furniture. x Hostile urban Inclusive urban furniture furniture

Hostile architecture is a The removal of hostile design socially conditioning design elements from urban furni- strategy which restricts the ture helps make public space ways in which pieces of urban more inclusive. This prevents furniture can be used. This their use being prescribed results in the designing out which is especially significant and exclusion of certain indi- for vulnerable members of so- viduals and usages (Chellew, ciety such as rough sleepers 2019). (Petty, 2016).

When does this Adjustments to the public furniture on Freemasons Road should VI.l Analysis of the urban furnitures found around Custom House. The analysis be enacted in concordance with other interventions aimed at improv- focused mainly on benches that are placed in Freemasons road surroundings. intervention take ing this high-street. place? 32 33 Open-up the boundaries of Custom House for better INTERVENTION 1 integration within the broader context of the city C.1

SHORT TERM MID TERM LONG TERM

VI.m Timeline of intervention 1.C.1 c.1 LOCAL MARKETS PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Establish a weekly local market in the newly named Ron- an Square (refer pg 10-11) so that local goods can be sold in a way that encourages footfall to the area whilst increasing community interaction. The date and timings of this market would be deter- mined by the local community.

Establishment of a local market in Ronan Square VI.p Local market promotes employ- ment to local communities VI.n Establishment of a local market in Ronan Square

When does this Of all the interventions aimed at economic activation—this one will be enacted last. The success of the Ronan Square market is intervention take dependent on the high footfall generated through a revitalised Free- masons Road. Therefore, work on establishing this market will begin place? once these previous interventions have been implemented.

Link to Participatory The participatory planning process indicated that residents were concerned with the economic prosperity of Custom House and Planning/Original the provision of opportunities especially for younger residents. The Job Bank aims to tackle this issue whilst helping the neighbourhood Regeneration Plan sufficiently benefit from local economic opportunities. Further con- cerns raised by residents about the lack of open community space on Freemasons Road would be addressed by the establishment of the Ronan Square Market. Whilst, the original regeneration plan desig- nates the Station Forecourt as a potential location for this—we be- lieve that Ronan Square instead would help bring footfall (from locals and visitors alike) to Freemasons Road whilst still fulfilling the wishes Intersection between coolfin Road and Freemasons Road: Ronan square before the intervention VI.o Space occupied by the market once of local residents to have improved social space. a week

34 35 YouthYouth promotionpromotion and events

PRINCIPLE 2

Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom House—both within the community and outside GUIDELINES

SHORT TERM MID TERM LONG TERM

a.1

a.2

b.1

b.2

2 y 5 y 10 y Timeline of interventions guideline B VII. Timeline of interventions under Principle 2

2.A Increase youth activities in the area as a mechanism for taking • 2.A.1 Co-production, men- teenagers out of the street, reconverting the perception of young- toring and neighbourhodd er generations, recognizing their own potentialities and strengths. watch Creating a prevention system of networks by offering safe spaces, • 2.A.2 Youth creative initiatives mentorships, neighbourhood watch, encouraging the youth as the and activities main actors for change and action.

2.B Regenerate the areas with the highest rate of drug crimes, mak- • 2.B.1 Route of green safe ing them accessible and attractive for residents and potential visi- spaces tors • 2.B.2 Buit environment interventions

Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom House—both within the 2 community and outside

Promote Custom House identity through Youth creative pro- duction: Art and Music. Create Youth hubs: safe spaces for learning and training, encouraging events, expositions, festivals, as a way of making visible the youth´s assets and potentialities. Recognizing the younger generations as the main actor for change and action, not only among Custom House residents but also promoting a media diffusion at a wid- er city level. The main objective is to reverse the direct relationship of youth with crime, gangs and drugs. CommunityCommunity workshops Youth activities CulturalCultural eventsevents StrongStrong social social fabric fabric UrbanWelcoming furnitures urban Crime prevention workshops

38 39 Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom INTERVENTION 2 House - both within the community and outside A.1

a.1

VII.a Timeline of intervention 1.A.1

The workshops should be done in a rotatory system—making use of Custom House’s existing infrastructure to promote already available spaces, encouraging the positive community-oriented appropriation of these sites. Principle sites can be seen in figure VII.d The co-production pro- The aim is to enable spac- VII.c Shipman Youth Center cess encourages Custom House es where youth can discuss their Source: (Shipman Youth Center, 2020) residents to participate in the mo- priorities and preferences. The tivation of younger generations. adults would also be part of this John F.Kennedy The idea is to work together on activity through a process of re- Primary school a variety of activities and hobbies cruiting local mentors and the de- Job Centre Keir Hardie Custom House Primary school (art, music, sports, digital media, velopment of a neighbourhood Rosetta Grace Library Primary school job skills), running mappings and watch system. Ministry workshops. Edith Kerrison Universal Church Nursery and Custom House of Christ Mission Children centre Baptist Church South Canning Town Scott Wilkie Detavhed Youth Project Cundy Primary school community centre Shipman Youth centre Mentorships

Saint Joaquims The Garden Primary school community coffee Hallsville Saint Anne´s Primary school Catholic church Asesion Church centre Calverton Regeneration Primary school Hub The Royal Asesion Play Docks Academy School Youth Hubs Church

Community centre Library Excel Job centre

Parks Square

Youth Creative Production VII.d Workshops rotation network of Custom House’s available spaces

When does this The starting point is the co-production process. Through map- pings and workshops, local residents are able to identify the priorities, intervention take challenges, expectations and set a plan together. The process should continue until the mid term, working parallel with future interventions. Co-production / Workshops place? Its implementation in the long term would depend on the success of VII.b Getting adults and young to work these activities, but an improved community identity would make their together frequency less important. 40 41 Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom INTERVENTION 2 House - both within the community and outside A.2

Job Centre Canning Town a.2 Park VII.e Timeline of intervention 1.A.2

Custom House Library Russell Park The Youth Hubs will pro- vide space for creative produc- tion, enabling activities such as: Visibility Diffusion • Music festivals and Art exhi- Cundy Community Shipman Youth bitions Centre Centre • Sports competitions in the green spaces • Communication strategies Ronan Regeneration The Garden through digital media initia- Square Hub Community coffee tives, sharing with the com- munity everything that’s hap- Asession Cundy pening in the area Play Park

Exhibitions Digital Media

Events VII.f Visibility and diffusion of youth creative production Community centre Western Library Terrace Job centre

Parks Square Youth activities Festivals / Exhibitions VII.h Potential places to host youth events

These events will be located in the available public places throughout Custom House. The Western Terrace provides an oppor- tunity to make visible a positive youth identity on a broader scale, as the ExCeL attracts visitors from across London.

community coffee

When does this In the short term, running the events would help remodel the identity of the area. Focusing on the activities highlighted in the work- intervention take shops, these events should continue until the end of the mid-term pe- place? riod as they can act as trials for potentially permanent interventions. VII.g Creating spaces of youth expression 42 43 This intervention will not 2 Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom B.1 INTERVENTION House - both within the community and outside only focus on spaces related to drug crime but will also extend into public spaces throughout Canning Town the neighbourhood. The youth Park events will help generate out- b.1 VII.i Timeline of intervention 1.B.1 door activities that will not only encourage social interaction and community participation, but also Russell Park will reactivate these sities and dis- encourage anti-social behaviour.

Certain places are per- ceived by residents as unsafe be- cause of the presence of gangs, Ronan drug-related activities and an- Square ti-social behaviours. The idea is to reverse the negative percep- Cundy tion of these sites whilst challeng- Park ing the stigmatisation of younger generations: making them active and empowered members of the community. Western Terrace

VII.l Areas of intervention 2.B.1

Drug crimes UK Police (Jan 2018 – Dic 2019) VII.j Map of drug crimes in Custom House Source: (UK police, 2020)

Gangs

Youth activities Reactivation Festivals

VII.m Cundy Park with temporary events of music and sports, transforming its use and inviting new users

When does this The process of reducing drug crimes in the area is a longer Exhibitions process and requires the involvement and commitment of residents. intervention take Therefore this intervention is considered for the mid term, as the con- ditions of safety and security should be promoted by the first interven- VII.k Youth activities reactivation place? tions. Drug crimes 44 45 Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Custom INTERVENTION 2 House - both within the community and outside B.2

Job Centre Canning Town Park Custom House Library VII.n Timeline of intervention 1.B.2 b.2

Russell Park Cundy community centre Shipman Youth centre

The Garden community coffee Redesign of the built Built environment Ronan environment for preventing the Square crime and taking into account Regeneration the activities identified togeth- Hub Cundy Asesion Play er with the community School Park

Church

To make public spaces Community centre more accessible and attractive Library to residents and visitors, altera- tions to the physical environment Job centre Western Terrace are needed. These transforma- Parks tions include introducing bet- ter lighting and improving local Square facilities (such as playgrounds, VII.p Overview map of areas of sports fields, fitness equipment, interventions of Principle 2 skateparks). These mixed-use ele- ments will help make these places The spaces highlighted on the map also have high drug crime more secure. density. The urban transformations together with the Youth Hubs and community centre safe spaces will reduce these crime rates.

Uses and Users

VII.o Redesign the built environment to prevent crime Link to Participatory Safety was a major concern within the participatory planning process. Whilst the original regeneration proposal provides useful Planning/Original interventions for altering the built environment to promote a more secure setting (such as reducing the canyon effect on Ethel Road), Regeneration Plan these measures do not go far enough in terms of social provision. Through our interventions, we hope to address Custom House residents’ concerns over safety. Providing opportunities for younger When does this The built environment should be modified after a mature generations and promoting community encounters will make Cus- co-production process that uses temporary events to assess which tom House, both feel and be, a safer place to live. Furthermore, we intervention take transformations are required. Therefore, this intervention should hope to address concerns raised by residents over the use and safety place? come last in the encouragement of a more positive identity for Cus- of Cundy Park and the need for an events space in Custom House, tom House. Once community cooperation has been promoted, these promoting the neighbourhood’s green areas as safe activity-oriented alterations will be more effective. spaces. 46 TransportsTransport and accessibility

PRINCIPLE 3

Foster a safer neighbourhood environ- ment: enrich sociability and increase local accessibility by promoting the adoption of alternative modes of transport. GUIDELINES

SHORT TERM MID TERM LONG TERM

a.1

b.1

c.1

c.2

2 y 5 y 10 y Timeline of interventions guideline C VIII. Timeline of Interventions under Principle 3

3.A Enhance the current aspect of publicly accessible space in order • 3.A.1 Create a walking/cy- to generate a more welcoming, safer environment for the benefit of cling links between existing local residents and visitors alike. green spaces.

• 3.B.1 Organise cycling skills 3.B Incentivise the adoption of alternative modes of transport, spe- training session & local col- cifically cycling and walking, in order to promote greater sociability lective rides amongst local residents and increase their accessibility

3.C Improve walking and cycling facilities along Freemasons Road • 3.C.1 Increase the number of Foster a safer neighbourhood environ- with a view to make the neighbourhood safer for pedestrians and pedestrian crossings from two ment: enrich sociability and increase local cyclists as well as more attractive for visitors. to at least four. 3 accessibility by promoting the adoption of • 3.C.2 Provision of appropriate alternative modes of transport. bicycle parking facilities

Improving cycling infrastructure and the walkability of the neighbourhood will help create a safe, welcoming environment for cy- clists and pedestrians alike. It would also provide Custom House with the needed stimulus to encourage the adoption of alternative trans- port. Better cycling infrastructure, such as adequate bicycle parking facilities and well defined bike paths, can positively influence people’s perception of safety, both in the street and on the road. Moreover, promoting cycling and walking can help make everyday activities such as: food shopping, entertainment, education or employment more ac- CommunityCommunity workshops Accessibility StrongStrong social social fabric fabric UrbanWelcoming furnitures urban Pedestrian lines Cycling paths cessible and affordable for local residents, whilst stimulating active and workshops healthy lifestyles.

50 51 Foster a safer neighbourhood environment: enrich sociability 3 and increase local accessibility by promoting the adoption of A.1 INTERVENTION alternative modes of transport.

a.1 b.1 VIII.a Timeline of intervention 1.A.1

Create a walking and cy- cling path linking existing green spaces (Cundy Park - Community Garden - Canning Town Recrea- tion Ground - Russell Park) with a view to make the neighbourhood easier to navigate and more ac- cessible for all. Furthemore, bet- ter knowledge of the area could inspire a deeper sense of attach- ment and belonging.

VIII.b A new cycle path for Custom House

Canning Town Park

Russell Park Freemasons Rd Freemasons

Community Ronan Garden Square VIII.d View of how the street would be shared between cars, cyclists and pedestrians—before and after Cundy Park

Parks When does this There is a short-term need for the improvement of the area, Square which is currently suffering from a lack of vitality. However, remaining Cycling intervention take residents of Custom House can benefit from enhanced public spaces Pedestrian and green areas in the short term. This intervention could be imple- place? mented at different phases across a period of three years. VIII.c Map of the proposed cycling and pedestrian paths 52 53 Foster a safer neighbourhood environment: enrich sociability Foster a safer neighbourhood environment: enrich sociability 3 and increase local accessibility by promoting the adoption of B.1 INTERVENTION 3 and increase local accessibility by promoting the adoption of C.1 INTERVENTION alternative modes of transport. alternative modes of transport.

b.1 VIII.e Timeline of intervention 1.B.1 c.1

VIII.h Timeline of intervention 1.C.1

Organise cycling skills Increase the number of pedestrian crossings along Free- training sessions, bike mainte- masons Road, to increase safety, especially during school times. A nance workshops as well as local Engage greater sense of safety would encourage people to walk and explore rides around the area to promote the neighborhood, gaining better access to the amenities offered cycling as a mode of transport. locally, such as greenery and leisure. VIII.i Increase the number of pedestrian London Borough crossings Queen Elizabeth of Newham Training people to become more Olympic Park

Jubilee Greenway proficient with bicycles would re- Cycle and Walking Path Discover Gallions Reach Shopping Mall

University of sult in riders being more confi- East London Custom House

Excel Exhibition London dent on the road. This decreases Centre City Airport the risk of accidents and makes Canning Town journeys more enjoyable and sat- Park isfying. Learn

VIII.f Learn. Engage. Discover.

Russell Park

London Borough Freemasons Rd Freemasons Queen Elizabeth of Newham Olympic Park Community Ronan Garden Jubilee Greenway Cycle and Walking Path Square

Cundy Park Gallions Reach Shopping Mall

University of East London

Custom House Parks Jubilee Square Greenway Excel Exhibition London Feeder Centre City Airport Crossing Cycling Lanes New Existent VIII.g Discovering Custom House’s VIII.j Map of existent and proposed surroundings crossings When does this Promotion of cycling is currently one of TfL’s ongoing initiatives. When does this Increasing the number of pedestrian crossings can be imple- In accordance with this, promoting alternative modes of transport mented in the short term in order to benefit current residents. Simi- intervention take could commence in the short term with the intention to extend this intervention take larly, provision of better bicycle parking facilities should commence to the end of the mid term. The future of this scheme in the long term immediately with the aim to foster a more cycle-friendly culture for place? will depend on the kind of incentives and planning projects in Newham place? the benefit of local residents. and the surrounding area.

54 55 Foster a safer neighbourhood environment: enrich sociability 3 and increase local accessibility by promoting the adoption of C.2 INTERVENTION alternative modes of transport.

VIII.k Timeline of intervention 1.C.2 c.2

Providing appropriate bicycle parking facilities and encourag- ing street furniture along more visited areas, specifically Freemasons Road. A greater sense of security would build confidence amongst cyclists and inspire other riders to visit and explore the area, helping to support local businesses and the neighbourhood’s economy.

View of the Custom House DLR station and future station for Elizabeth Line, Authors' own (2020)

Link to Participatory Custom House residents expressed their desire for improved street-level accessibility and safety. Promoting alternative transport Planning/Original methods such as cycling, walking and running will help improve mo- bility within the neighbourhood whilst encouraging residents to feel VIII.l View of an area with improved street Regeneration Plan more secure travelling around the area. There was insufficient atten- furniture and cycling facilities tion to the promotion of healthy and environmentally friendly modes of transport in the original regeneration plan. However, our proposed When does this Similar to the previous intervention, provision of more and bet- interventions will provide benefits in terms of community interconnec- ter bicycle parking facilities should commence immediately with the tivity. This in turn, will help reverse the effects of fear-induced behav- intervention take aim to foster a more cycle-friendly culture. iours in Custom House. place?

56 57 Open-up the boundaries of OVERALL MAP Custom House for better integration within the broader context of the city

Nurture a positive and constructive identity of Job Centre Canning Town Custom House - both within Park the community and outside

Foster a safer neighbourhood environment: enrich Custom House sociability and increase Library local accessibility by promoting the adoption of alternative modes of transport Russell Park

Cundy Prince Regent community centre Shipman Youth

Freemasons Rd Freemasons centre

Regeneration Hub Community The Garden Garden community coffee

Community centre Ronan Square Library Cundy Asesion Play Park Job centre Victoria Dock Rd Parks Square Market Festival ExCel Western Cycling Terrace Pedestrian Crossing

IX. Overall map of all the interventions

Overview of all the interventions linking the surrounding of Custom House (ExCeL, DLR) to its socio-economic centre on Freemasons Road and Ronan Square

58 59 WHERE IS HI EVERYONE! TODAY I'VE WALLY? BEEN IN CUSTOM HOUSE LOCAL MARKET!

I'VE SEEN MANY INTERESTING THINGS! A COMMUNITY THAT TO: IS WORKING TOGETHER AND MAKING THE SOCIAL FABRIC THE CURIOUS, TO STRONGER! THOSE WHO LIKE LOCAL PRODUCTS I SEE THAT MANY THINGS HAVE AND PROMOTE IMPROVED IN THIS LOVELY LOCAL ACTIVITIES NEIGHBOURHOOD!

Once a week the newly named Ronan Square becomes a local market where residents from Custom House, Newham and surroundings can sell and buy local products. The temporary activation of this intersection can turn this place into a permanent vibrant space and become together with Freemasons Road the new economic centre of Custom House.

The improvement of the public spaces and the strengthening of the social fabric, especially among the youth, can help new events to happen around the neighbourhood. As such Ronan square could become an important junction where many The introduction of many new activities such social activities take place as concerts, as local guided rides and cycling training festival and other youth events. sessions in Custom House as well as the route of the new cycle path are powerful tools to promote the use of bicycles and clean modes of transport and improve accessibility and mobility for residents.

X. Axonometric view of the projected urban transformations in Custom House

60 61 Firstly, we hope this report does justice to to re-connect different parts of Custom House and the tremendous work already achieved by Custom revitalise social networks hampered by mounting House’s residents in designing and determining the anti-social behaviour. Finally, by looking beyond the future of their neighbourhood. Our vision for Cus- perimeters of Custom House, our interventions hope tom House and its constitutive principles have been to ensure the sustainability of our vision and the inte- informed not only by our own field analysis but also gration of Custom House within its surroundings by the input of many actors within and outside Cus- tom House, including the work presented at the Re- generation Hub.

As a result, our guidelines and interventions are built upon the potential Custom House has to ad- dress the issues faced by residents. Our human-scale and community-oriented approach emphasises res- idents as the main drivers of socio-economic devel- opment, recognising youth as an asset for the area and working with them to produce an environment where they can thrive and enact positive change. The small-scale spatial interventions across the area will have far greater socio-spatial ramifications, al- lowing for new types of positive social interaction to happen. The bigger-scale interventions intend

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