In what seemed to be an approach to planning off paper and on the streets (for the people), Vinnie Lacovara and Finn Williams presented the series of 5 masterplans, or 'visions' currently in place for Croydon. Though it could be questioned how many, or how much of these plans will actually be delivered, it looks as though Croydon is taking a step in the right direction where design for the city is concerned, making small and considered steps in order to encourage better future development.
Similar to previous worries of previous decades where the Borough was in danger of letting the design of buildings drop to the bottom of the agenda, and the economics of development to the top, it seems as if the recession has done Croydon a favour in being able to pause and reflect on what the large centre actually needs. Much of the work involved in creating these visions was in getting people to talk to each other. Cups of tea and post it notes in a rainbow of colours. Bad feeling and conflicting ideas on land ownership lead to fragmented and obnoxious plans for developments, isn't it better when people work together?
Similar to previous worries of previous decades where the Borough was in danger of letting the design of buildings drop to the bottom of the agenda, and the economics of development to the top, it seems as if the recession has done Croydon a favour in being able to pause and reflect on what the large centre actually needs. Much of the work involved in creating these visions was in getting people to talk to each other. Cups of tea and post it notes in a rainbow of colours. Bad feeling and conflicting ideas on land ownership lead to fragmented and obnoxious plans for developments, isn't it better when people work together?
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