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Running Head: LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 1

Social Effects of Political Decisions on London’s Architecture

KIANA SHOKRANI CHAHARSOGHI

BSC ARCHITECTURE

REEM
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 2

Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................5
Scope of London’s Regeneration.................................................................................................5
Wembley Park Architectural Regeneration.....................................................................................7
Current Wembley regeneration projects..........................................................................................7
Wembley Housing........................................................................................................................7
Land on Wembley High Road, East of Cecil Avenue.................................................................8
Wembley Stadium.........................................................................................................................10
Old Wembley Stadium...............................................................................................................10
History of the old Stadium...................................................................................................10
New Wembley Stadium........................................................................................................13
Wembley Regeneration.................................................................................................................13
Influence of politics on the architectural design of the Wembley region in London.................16
Changing the overall’s architecture of London.............................................................................18
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 3

Abstract
The architecture and politics are in close association. The architecture mechanism is

decided mainly by politics, affecting architecture and urbanity – legislation, funds, and contests

for public projects. In reconsidering these policy goals, it is essential to review what part

architects and designers can play. Today's populism and nationalism are growing worldwide.

The division between nations and people takes place during our day in the media. It is essential

to consider what methods can be used to expose ideas dominated by Europe. Creative artists

will represent the future, focusing on their consequences and reflecting on the next day of our

future. This research aims to determine the social effects of the political decisions made on

London's architecture. Much of London's Conservative regions maintain and preserve their

historical and architectural heritage, like Wembley. However, politicians have been promoting

and endorsing most of London's areas, notably Wembley Park, which endanger the local

people's architectural and cultural heritage. Regeneration projects happening in London are in a

great way leading to immense changes in the architectural heritage of the city. This report

explores the changing fabric of the city brought about by the regeneration of Wembley Park. To

achieve the main aim, specific objectives have been outlined to guide through exploration of

the Wembley Park regeneration. Various regeneration projects around the Wembley Park have

greatly influenced the heritage of the city leading to cultural derailment within London City.

1. What is the scope of the regeneration that has led to the influence of London’s

architecture?

2. How have political decisions led to Wembley Park's regeneration influencing the

architectural and cultural heritage in London?


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 4

3. What are the political events and legislative measures that have impacted the

regeneration plan in Wembley, London?

The aims of this study are;

 To investigate the influence of politics on the architectural design of the Wembley

region in London.

 To find out the appropriate measures that should be taken to ensure that the

architectural heritage of Wembley is preserved while at the same time facilitating its

design.

 To find out better ways of regenerating Wembley's architecture without eliminating the

architectural heritage that already exists.

This review uses a methodology focused on literature reviews to research London's

history, emphasizing Wembley. Ultimately, it analyzes objectively works on the Wembley

regeneration projects and policy behind Wembley Park's architecture. This research shows that

the architectural architecture?? of London has changed over the years under political influence.

Nevertheless, several conservation regions, such as Wembley, have managed to maintain their

architectural heritage and combat disruptive schemes for restoration and welcome them.

However, this study finds the following effects on the local community for such projects as the

regeneration of Wembley Park; change in pedestrian routes creates confusion and risk of

accident, relocation of existing businesses within Wembley, expansion of Wembley. Finally, the

paper concludes that the redevelopment projects in London, particularly in Wembley, have had

some adverse effects on the local population, such as business losses, cultural buildings losses,

and the degradation of architectural heritage.


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 5

Introduction
London is widely famous for its architecture. There are hundreds of large buildings in

the city, from old to modern, traditional to contemporary, art deco or gothic. According to

Finch (2017), architecture is fundamentally connected to political machinations, from the

monuments to the housing crisis. Famous historic projects are still at some political stage (what

do you mean? Which ones?). Many people (who are these many people?)believe that the

Romans and Ancient Greeks' structures were responsible for architecture as we know it today.

It, however, started much earlier. Some strong prehistoric architectural examples – such as

Stonehenge – demonstrate how prehistoric people changed earth and stone to build

geometrical structures. In particular, the Bronze Age laid the foundations of metalwork, an

enormous influence on architecture development. This time also saw complex fortifications like

nuraghi (round towers), built-in places like Sardinia, advanced tombs and graves from that time

can be found throughout Europe. Big jump? Primarily, in London, smart property investors keep

a smart eye on which areas are set to benefit from extensive regeneration. The regeneration

has been happening, where new architectural building are remodeled or demolished to bring in

a new face of a building. This models however, have laid out the best scenery within the city

but eroded the heritage held by the various architectural designs

In this particular paper, it is critical to assess the Wembley Park regeneration, and how

it has changed the fabric of the city as they eliminate the building. First, it is important to

assess, and analyze the old architectures within the Wembley Park, where after, the new and

regenerated plans will be analyzed and the changes brought therein.


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 6

Scope of London’s Regeneration

The development of London's socio-cultural and political geographies has always been

closely linked to interventions in its physical spaces and actions. London, due to massive

development and building projects, was transformed in the nineteenth and eighteenth

centuries. The growth of new world-class communities or suburbs, including East Ham and

Walthamstow, has led to tens of thousands of residents being displaced and caused by

developments such as railways (Imrie et al., 2009). London also became a focal point for

megaprojects, with significant public places such as Regent Street, Crystal Palace, the National

Gallery, and the British Museum being built during the time. That is the fermentation and speed

of change that the contemporary observers deplored that the city's character was lost because

"there is always construction and reconstruction" (Hunt, 2004).

These observations became more recent in the period following 1945. The regeneration

and the capital buildings such as Town Hall II were the heart of shifting social and economic

geographies through a host of design, construction, and building processes (Imrie et al., 2009).

Different architects have various plans for when and the architecture to be designed. The plan

published by Patrick Abercrombie in 1944, for instance, provides a framework for the dispersal

of the population and the development of large urban housing estates (Imrie et al., 2009). Later

in the 1950s, the London landscape was painted by numerous prestigious systems with major

new structures that characterized the area, including the Royal Hall of Festivals. In the mid-

1960s, a trend that accelerated in the 1980s was gradually manifested by London's global

supremacy in constructing new properties (Imrie et al., 2009). The landscape of London now is

full of large redevelopment areas and plans, and the spread of infrastructure and construction
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 7

projects, such as the Paddington Basin and King's Cross Olympic Games. One major

regeneration project that brought about immense heritage shift within the City is the Wembley

Park regeneration.

Wembley Park Architectural Regeneration

If a city invests in an investment of hundreds of million dollars, it understandably

anticipates a substantial economic and social return on investment. London's role in developing

the New Wembley Stadium in the London Borough of Brent took place in the 18 th and 19th

century. Brent took the chance to be hosts of the Olympics in the new stadium to use it as an

opportunity (Warms et al., 2006). Urban regeneration catalyst in the local community. The

major problem now facing Brent Council, with development well underway, was how this urban

regeneration could be tracked and evaluated to assess if its efforts have been successful.

Current Wembley regeneration projects

Wembley Housing

Among the projects that led to the regeneration within the Wembley Park was the

Wembley Housing. On 16 March 2015, the Mayor of London nominated the Wembley Housing
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 8

District. Wembley High Road focuses on efforts in the Wembley Housing District. The vision of

this area is to restructure and revitalize the eastern part of the town of High Road in Wembley,

including new homes and employment, new leisure facilities, retail and working spaces.

Regeneration of the Wembley Opportunity area's backdoor will play a major part connecting

the Wembley Central area with the stadium's current Wembley Park area. Karakusevic Carson

Architects and East Architecture were designated by the Council of Brent to work on two

primary highway sites. New developments include new houses, cost-effective workspace, new

public spaces and facilities. The regeneration of the Wembley Housing led the British to bury

their heritage. Wembley Park provided the extraordinary nature of a location that has created

and still does history for decades. Its patrimony started in 1792 with a leading landscape

designer. It received its name. Since then, it has become normal to host large and national

events in its scale and proximity to Central London. The first of these was in the 1920s the

British Empire Exhibition. Visitors from around the globe came to visit the exhibit, and the first

radio station broadcast by a British monary was King George V's opening speech. Some of the

buildings and roads of Wembley Park have now been named on each site at the exhibition.

Land on Wembley High Road, East of Cecil Avenue

Land along Wembley High Road, East Cecil Avenue is one of the sites listed as high

quality mixed courtyard development by Brent Council in Wembley Housing Zone. The Council

consulted the local community and produced plans for 250 new residential, commercial and

community areas and a new open-air square. The proposal was submitted on 12 August 2019

(Application 19/2891). This location is now located at the Ark Elvin Academy, the old Copland
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 9

Community School. The school building has been demolished and the priority School Building

Program has created new state-of-the-art facilities.

Ujima House

Ujima house is one of the regeneration new housing projects in Wembley Park. In July

2017, the Council bought the Ujima House freehold and the long rental company for the rear

car park. Ujima House is one of the sites designated to provide mixed use construction for the

Brent Council in the Wembley Housing District.

Ujima House is currently owned by Meanwhile Space and is used by a variety of community

groups, while Time Outs Top 5 projects in London are featured.


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 10

Wembley Stadium
Old Wembley Stadium

History of the old Stadium

The Stadium was renowned for being the Empire Stadium, which hosted countless

games of football, as well as the Summer Olympics, concerts of the music industry, rugby

games, motorcycle fast way championships, and many other activities. Brazilian soccer player

Pelé known the Stadium for its name "the cathedral of football" In 200 it was lost. The

ceremony opened on 28 April 1923 and was attended by King George V. It was built on the

grounds of the Wembley Park, originally designed by Humphry Repton, a renowned English

architect. In the past, the park once was home to the mad tower of Watkin. Dubbed the "Great

Tower of London," the height of the Paris Eiffel Tower would have exceeded if this project had

not been completed in 1907.


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 11

Where Watkin’s Tower once stood

The stadium was built to serve the British Empire Show and was at that time called the

British Empire Show Stadium, the Empire Stadium. Sir Robert McAlpine was the construction

firm that employed the construction. The Millennium Dome, Newcastle Civic Center and the

project Eden are only a few of the many projects of the organization. The proprietor James

White spent £750,000 (1010,000 dollars) on the building – more than five million dollars’ worth

of money today. The architects behind the design were Maxwell Ayrton and Sir John William

Simpson. The stadium was originally to be demolished after the British Empire Exhibition ended

and was in use up until 2002. The stadium was designed by the renowned British engineer and

architect Sir Owen Williams, whose portfolio includes such projects as the Wakefield Bridge and

"Spaghetti Junction." After the show, Sir Arthur Elvin offered to buy it.

He offered to make £127,000 ($171,000), but when negotiation took place James White

passed away. The Wembley Group, the new owner, declined to buy less of the stadium. The

new owner was Elvin, who decided to pay full price. The Wembley Corporation had not long
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 12

before changed mind and reacquired it. Elvin was given shares instead of cash, and he became

the new president. The stadium has become increasingly renowned over the years. In Wembley

1923 the FA Cup Finals took place. Following this case, several others followed, including the FA

Cup Final 1953 and the 5 European Cup Finals. Wembley was the first European Cup final in

1963, and S played in the final match. L. and Milan, Benfica. The last game was between

Barcelona and Sampdoria in 1992. One of the last matches played on the stadium turf took

place in a duel against Chelsea on May 20, 2000. Aston Villa lost the match. Several events, such

as the 1999 Challenge Cup, have also taken place. Apart from the many sporting activities, a

considerable number of concerts took place in the stadium. The UK Live Aid Concert took place

on July 13, 1985. The artist Queen, David Bowie, The Who, U2, and Elton John participated in

this show. A concert of Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday took place on 11 June 1988. In October

2000, everything ended. In December 2002, the old Wembley stadium was closed and was

locked for two years before its demolition. The stadium was entirely gone one year later. The

new stadium with the same name started in 2003 and was opened officially in 2007.
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 13

New Wembley Stadium

New Wembley Stadium Map

Wembley Regeneration
In 2000 the stadium was closed and demolished, reconstructed over a long span on a

different axis with a retractable roof and a signature arch. A new footbridge linking the

Wembley Stadium with Wembley city center was installed in 2006. The bridge was named

White Horse. Besides, in the local city, London Borough of Brent, and even the capital as a

whole, the advantages of Wembley's national stadium are far reached. The stadium will help

improve the regeneration of its area. The Brent Council and the Wembley National Stadium

Limited will make the full impact on Wembley's new stadium's scope.

The stadium's construction, planned as a destination for public transport, resulted in a

significant improvement in transport solutions. More than £70m has been invested in
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 14

improving highways, rails, and pedestrian routes, including through the financing of Wembley

Stadium, to ensure the facilities cope with fans' influx on big event days – a boost for residents

and businesses 365 days a year, not just on event days. An ambitious regeneration project is

also in progress, rapidly turning Wembley into a world-class recreation destination. In

November 2002, the Brent Council set up a new Wembley vision that challenges all parties to

conceive a new Wembley and lays down a progressive blueprint with a national stadium at its

heart for the area's future.

In June 2004, Brent Council and private developer Quintain both unveiled exciting plans

for the area that will deliver thousands of jobs and homes with massively improved local

facilities. Planning permission was granted for an ambitious mixed-use development proposal

covering some 50 acres of land surrounding the stadium. Quintain Estates and Development plc

has started work on-site to develop the ground around the stadium. Their plans look set to

create a vibrant development that will create new jobs, homes, leisure facilities, shops, bars,

restaurants, offices, a hotel, and significant new public spaces.

It was awarded to one of the lowest tenders; it quickly became apparent without saying

"you get what you pay for," that an aggressively low cost estimate for building materials was

unworkable. For example, the costs increased by more than one third between the offer and

the contract signature (this can of course be put down to design development also).

Furthermore, for its first design, the project was simply too creative, the arch was especially

troublesome. For any stadium or similar construction, the load support system was not tested

precisely and brings the time and budget in a landmark spot. There is no place to try anything
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 15

entirely different at a landmark place on time and on budget. Cleveland Bridge & Engineering,

Sub-Contractor, warned and withdrew the key entrepreneur of the increasing costs.

There was no end to the complication – the demolition was to commence by the end of

2000, with the newly opened stadium sometime in 2003, but a mixture of legal hold-ups meant

that site clearance only began in 2002 and the iconic twin towers were only demolished in

December of this year. In 2004, a tragic accident which saw carpenter Patrick O'Sullivan lost his

life led to £ 150,000 in the fine of PC Harrington CP, which was in contravention of mandatory

health and security regulations. The new Arch contractor – Hollandia – caused delays in the

following year.

But it wouldn't have been late, it would have been very late – just 11 days before the

stadium was turned over as ready on 20 March 2006, 3,000 workers had to leave the stadium

because a steel rafter had dropped by 6 inches. Three days later, the sewers bumped when the

earth moved – reports that Multiplex had refused to pay on budget for the pipes were filled

with concrete as retaliation for the contractors. Just 24 hours before the scheduled handover,

they accepted the loss on March 30. All the preparations and concerts scheduled for 2006 had

to be moved to another venue, as the stadium will not be ready until next year. In addition,

bets on completion delays were made and 'hard hats guys' had been seen at Wembley book

mates; this was possibly the first time the venue had paid off, not the fixture.

For the surrounding city, the London Borough of Brent and indeed for the entire capital,

the advantages of having the national stadium at Wembley are far reached. The Stadium will

help to promote the regeneration of the local city, and the Council of Brent as well as Wembley

National Stadium will optimize the positive effect on the area of the new Wembley Stadium.
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 16

The construction of the stadium, which was planned as a destination for public transportation,

led to significant improvement in transport solutions. More than £70 million have been

invested in upgraded roads, railways and pedestals, partially by funding from Wembley

Stadium. The facilities can be cope with the influx of fans on major events days.

It is anticipated that the New Wembley stadium will be a catalyst for a local

redevelopment effort. Not only would the new stadium carry with it large crowds of events but

better tube stations, better public entertainment zones, and a better shopping center(Stewart

& Rhoden, 2003). These reforms are part of the redevelopment initiative coordinated by the

Brent Council planning department (Warms et al., 2006). One challenge the Council faces with

Wembley's redevelopment and future planning applications is that the government's mandate

now needs planning services to monitor its planning growth policies.

Wembley Stadium 2006


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 17

Influence of politics on the architectural design of the Wembley region in London.

Wembley Park was a rural estate from the beginning of the 19th century, with Humphry

Repton's mansion and grounds in its core. This land was sold to the Metropolitan Railway

Company in 1881, and a section was bought. In 1894, the station opened Wembley Park,

followed by adjacent pleasure gardens two years afterward (Warms et al., 2006). The garden

was the brainchild of Sir Edward Watkin, President of the railway company, who wanted to

build London's largest attraction, with a tower taller than the Eiffel Tower.

In all aspects, the project was a disappointment. The gardens did not attract enough

visitors, and the Wembley Park Estate Company took over the house. When the problems of

finances and decrease caused its abandonment, the tower reached a height of 200 feet. The

folly of Watkin was taken down in 1907 as the building was dubbed (Warms et al., 2006). The

pleasant room was still used for various occurrences and was selected as the British Empire

Exhibition location in 1924–5 (Stewart & Rhoden, 2003). The exhibition was a mammoth affair,

which included the building and extending new roads around a larger area and the district

drainage.

One year before the exhibition, when they held the final FA Cup, between West Ham

United and Bolton Wanderers, the Empire (later Wembley) Stadium was the most significant

exhibit space (Stewart & Rhoden, 2003). Before the game started, thousands of fans poured

into the square, which required the gathered police and, in particular, Constable George Scorey

on his 13-year-old white horse, Billy. Though Scorey was just one of the many police officers in

action that day, his famous horse called the White Horse Final.
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 18

Opened in 1923, the Old Wembley Stadium is one of the most prominent football fields

globally and originally known as the Empire Stadium. Many remember him(who is him?) as the

"home of soccer." He? worked at the national stadium of England for almost eighty years and

ended in 2000 (Stewart & Rhoden, 2003). It was the focus of British football. The Old Wembley

Stadium was ready after this impressive run to be replaced with the already under construction

90,000-seat New Wembley Stadium (Warms et al., 2006). In 2003, the developers broke

ground, and an early 2007 the stadium would be opened.

Wembley's town hall was built on Forty Lane in 1939 and later used by the London

Borough of Brent. Because of Wembley Park's growth as a mixed residential and industrial

region, most rich people were left (Warms et al., 2006). The Council created a devastating

Chalkhill estate south of Forty Lane at the end of the 1960s. Sections of the site converted to

retail use in the later part of the 20th century, including warehouses and a market on Sundays

in England to be the largest (Stewart & Rhoden, 2003).

Changing the overall’s architecture of London

As discussed earlier, the regeneration project particularly the Wembley Stadium in any

is advantageous as the societal fabrics evolve to the best. However, there are numerous

disadvantages associated with the demolition of the architectural designs that exist within a

particular area. For every societal, everything built has a significant meaning to the heritage of

those specific individuals. Wembley Park has had numerous regeneration projects, which have

been overly embraced by the new generations (Stewart & Rhoden, 2003). However, these

regeneration projects have negatively impacted the heritage fabrics of London city. In this

section, analyses of the decisions of demolition within the Wembley park that have led to the
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 19

changing fabrics of the London society heritage. Arguments concerning the various

regeneration project discussed above will be analyzed to determine how each of them has

derailed the heritage fabrics.

The historic landscape of London in its constructed form, the countryside heritage and

archeology provide an advantageous breadth in nature the economy, culture and quality of life

of the city (Stewart & Rhoden, 2003). The environment constructed, in combination with its

historic landscapes, the place gives unique meaning, whereas architectural history layers

provide a place of value local, domestic and international the patrimony of London (Stewart &

Rhoden, 2003). London historic ecosystems are an irreplaceable part of what defines London is

a diverse and prosperous city and its efficient management is a central component of

sustainable growth.

It is believed that the British buried their imperial history, along with the regeneration

projects. The new Wembley housing led to the suggestion of demolition of the twin towers in

the old wembley. The Twin Towers were part of the original London, England Wembley

Stadium. They were built on the Watkins’s Tower site in Wembley in 1923 and were recognized

as one of the iconic symptoms of English and Wembley stadium in general (Warms et al., 2006).

In 1976 they were listed as second grade buildings, but were demolished for the new Wembley

Stadium in 2003(Warms et al., 2006). The towers were a distinctive emblem of Wembley, which

influenced the stadium approach from tube station Wembley Park to the north. The icons of

the Stadium of Wembley were world-renowned.

Also, Wembley was just a major music arena in London. He saw some wonderful action,

particularly the key background for the 1985 Live Aid Event (Warms et al., 2006). We were glad
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 20

to have an American arena inside the Capitals in a relatively small world, and Wembley was

there to promote the festival when the star status required it. The stadium was the single stage

to host its ceremony, even as the Pope and his very cool pope-mobile hit the banks in

1982(Warms et al., 2006). With the demolition of the old stadium, the tearing down of the twin

tower destroyed the magic of Wembley Park. The heritage of the park which was a wonder of

London that held the pride of Wembley and London as a whole. Similarly the housing in

Wembley is highly connected with the Wembley stadium.

Consequently, the Wembley stadium is among the major reasons as to why

regenerations within London city brought about change within the Wembley housing style

(Warms et al., 2006). Regeneration of the Wembley stadium. To avoid this culture and heritage

erosion, Districts can consult Historic England and other related districts, and statutory bodies

establish evidence which is clear comprehension of the historical setting of London. This proof

should be used to define, understand, conserve and enhance the cultural and historical heritage

and improved connectivity in their city, history, landscapes and archeology.

Regeneration without Eliminating the Cultural Heritage

While looking at the future of the architecture of the cities, indeed, if students are to

gain a thorough understanding of our relationship to space, materials and buildings

architecture, they must become closely involved with built heritage. Graduates interested in

architectural heritage can work as consultants in a certain building or setting, researchers in

construction methods and materials, or in the architectural or art history-oriented sectors.

Heritage studies extend what we know not only about our lives, but also how we wish to live

and organize society, when applied to the idealism of architecture.


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 21

The imperial status of the stadium was obscured by the link of towers with football

history and especially the 1966 World Cup victory (Rautenberg, 2012). With the song "Two

World Wars and One World Cup," supporters of the National Team still commemorate the

victory and unite these events to say the tune of global supremacy and superiority over their

rivals in the final: the German (Western). The fact that since then, the National Team has never

finished in the World Cup only reinforces the myth around this miraculous moment. England

seemed to have no favorite in winning the tournament until it started, and the triumph was

equally encapsulated with a traditional British underdog spirit during the Battle of Dunkirk

retreat in the Second World War. In addition to its previous colonial significance, the Twin

Towers reflect these modern perceptions of British exceptionality and doggedness as an

emblem.

The preservation of a combination of the old with the new, which gives the capital its

distinctive character, will entail the recognition of London's heritage and its sensible

management along with the promotion of the highest standards of modern architecture. The

heritage of London represents the diversity, population and structure of the region. It is

important to appreciate the effect of the past human cultural activity in every region of

London's diversified culture in evaluating the value of heritage properties. All possibilities

should be exploited to bring people into London's history and improve the accessibility and

protection of London's patrimony.

Many heritage assets make a substantial contribution to the sustained and enhanced

local character. A detailed, dynamic database for the historical environment in London with

over 196,000 records is the Greater London Historic Environment Record (GLHER). In addition
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 22

to this record, borough character assessments, conservation plans and local lists can be used as

a reference point for the planning of plans and for developing proposals to be notified assets at

risk. In some areas, the preservation and re-use of houses, rooms and features, which are an

important part in the local character of an area, could contribute to this reflected current and

original trends.

Feedback

The structure of the essay need to be much clearer. You have some parts but you jump

from one thing to another quite quickly. The essay would benefit from a simple historical

narrative that tells the story of Wembley chronologically and usingh historical map and

photographs through the key buildings that you are interested in. At the moment, you are

jumping in time as well, this can work but in this instance it is making your story unnecessarily

complex. Your text suggests that the story goes from the rural landscape owned by the Page

family to today’s ‘leisure’ district hosting two large stadiums, one for football and one for music

and how that has built an identity and local community around these two football and music .

This story alone is quite interesting if told more clearly. Take a walk in the area and describe

careful the spaces of the stadium and the housing around it, use this as a starting point for

questioning what was once there. Perhaps a set of careful views and sky lines would help. The

essay has potential, but the essay structure is really getting in the way of building the argument

and telling the story.


LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 23

1. Defining terms: What do you mean by heritage? There are many definitions to this

concept and it is important you find a key definition and use it faithfully. Cultural

heritage and conservation are quite different things. I can suggest that you can use

the idea of old/new by engaging with the theory of urban artefacts by Rossi which

about the identity of the city. Otherwise as mention in the comments in your text, I

also suggest a different definition of heritage that you can explore and articulate

further. You use many terms in the essay that are ‘big words and concepts’ without

evidencing them, it is good to think about selecting words more carefully.

2. Lack of evidence of many statements. You can use photographs of the site, maps

and drawings/diagram to show the relationships on the site and your observation

about the links between spaces. You also need to use writing and quote from others

to support your observations and statement.

3. Introduction: It is important to spend a good part of your introduction defining and

exploring the idea of heritage as an identity or as ‘conservation’, be clear and simple

as it is your main essay focus. Then the introduction should then have a clear

description of the generation plan that you are critiquing in relation to that. The

history can then be the following section that elaborates on these ideas.

4. Demolition/old/new: it sounds like you are mainly critiquing the demolition of the

stadium and the two towers? Is that right? Elaborate on these two spaces and show

the before and after, using evidence as above (from your walk, historical

maps/photos/diagram/text of other architectural writers. You can through this

evidence insert your own interest/essay thesis by being critical as you tell the story
LONDON’S ARCHITECTURE 24

of what was destroyed and what was conserved. You need to tell us why you feel

these decision have had a positive or negative impact on the community (with

evidence of course).

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