Realising the full potential of a vibrant urban centre

The London Borough of Hackney commissioned Matrix Partnership to undertake the two-part Dalston Community and Creative Quarter study.  Its aim was to explore the regeneration value of several council-owned sites in the centre of Dalston in association with the planned Chelsea Hackney Crossrail project the route of which passes directly beneath the locality.

 

In addition to responding to the constraints and opportunities of the new Crossrail link (see separate item under transport-related projects), the study involved the production of a comprehensive development framework as well as schematic designs for the Council’s several sites, together with financial appraisals.  This was to have the principal aim of increasing property value and economic development as well as encouraging Dalston’s existing cultural, creative and community activities that are themselves seen as drivers for regeneration.

 

The comprehensive nature of the project provided an opportunity to realise some significant townscape and community benefits including the strengthening of local character through the enhancement of existing qualities in terms of heritage, diversity of uses, fine-grained townscape, accessibility, public open space and enhanced public realm as well as enhancing arts activities and the already vibrant street life,

 

Development proposals included the refurbishment and expansion of the Arcola Theatre, provision for small businesses and creative enterprises, community areas, a restaurant, the provision of flexible ground floor retail space and some substantial new high quality residential development.  The proposals also allowed the definition of a public realm strategy, important features of which were the creation and improvement of pedestrian access and the creation of the new Eastern Curve linear landscape along the route of a derelict section of railway.