For the past two years MLA 1 students have been working in part of the Canal Corridor Regeneration scheme in Lancaster, to develop ideas for a new urban quarter, immediately adjacent to the retail centre of the city. Previously occupied by Mitchells Brewery, a rope works and other small-scale industries, it is now largely derelict, occupied by car parks and low rent transitory businesses.
To celebrate the students work and to create a debate, which positioned their ideas in the wider context of global urban renewal and the regeneration of the canal corridor a symposium (part of the Triangulation of Urban/Rural Interface events) was held in The Dukes Art Centre, Moor Lane in September. This was accompanied by an exhibition of student work.
The principal speaker was Jason Prior, director of Prior + Prtnrs, an expert in strategic urban renewal. Jason’s presentation focused on urban sustainability at the human scale, taking examples from across the world to illustrate the importance of devolved thinking in responding to local problems at the global scale.
Planit-ie, the consultants appointed as Landscape Architects for the corridor, were represented by Helen Buckle, who described the approach they were taking to understanding the complexities of the site prior to developing an urban strategy. Three students also presented their ideas, offering
interesting alternatives for the future of this area.
For posterity, enjoy the slideshow images below!