Dalston; Fifth meeting of series nine of TEN

The TEN Group’s fifth meeting of series nine, on Friday 8th February 2013, focussed on the value that investment in the public realm can play in regenerating a poor area, and how to link public and private investment. We were fortunate to walk around Dalston with Patrick Hammill, former Director of Urban Renewal at Levitt Bernstein, who have been involved with a number of major projects such as the new housing at Holly Street, and in whose offices we met. We also had discussions with locals involved in ‘meanwhile’ uses in the area, such as Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, The Farmshop Dalston and we walked past the Ashwin Street workspaces run by Bootstrap Company. The issues we explored concern how you assess success, the process of regeneration, the value of different types of public space and art, and the impact that improved connectivity can have on an area, and its integration with the rest of the city. The briefing pack provided some valuable information on the extensive community engagement that has taken place in designing new spaces, and we also drew on a visit to Barratt’s marketing suite at Dalston Square.

A full report of the event will be available on the website shortly.