Statement of Project Intention

19 Jan 2023

Abstract
The most recent version
1. This project examines the neoliberal swindle of social housing development in London
through the epitomic case study at Chrisp Street Market, Poplar, London E14. Through a
thorough economic-spatial analysis of the Sheppard Robson scheme, this project
exposes its specious and misleading financial models and the loss of public spaces and
the displacement of tenants and local retailers, thus calling for an alternative to this
scheme.
2. Any successful regeneration proposal should be historically sensitive and responsible. By
reading through the condensed layers of history in Poplar and the contested palimpsest of
its historic urban fabric, it identifies key spatial typologies that persist and key causalities
between changes in urban form. It proposes the urban strategy of a phasal renewal
carried out at all scales.
3. [Architectural strategy not defined yet – could be derived from the urban strategy]
4. This project would be successful if it could be historically responsive and if it manages to
propose alternative financial and spatial models for the future of Chrisp Street Market as
an outstanding experiment for the future of social housing in London.

A previous version at the end of Term 1

1. This projects firstly carries out a critical re-evaluation of neoliberal urban renewal
schemes, particularly regarding the failed promises of providing social housing provision
involved in typical projects in London, thus outlining with material evidence the scope and
the severeness of social housing shortage in London.
2. This project examines the Lansbury area of Poplar, London E14, and attempts to picture
the rise and fall of social provision for housing. The Chrisp Street Market site is regarded
as epitomic and representative of this series of radical historical change and is thus
selected as the place of intervention.
3. The project adopts the strategy of palimpsest-analysis. It attempts to read the contested
and intertwined layers of historical urban fabric that remains discernible and pertinent to
contemporary inquires, and this project is in favour of nurturing a historically-supported
and contextually situated project that is reflective of the palimpsest of histories and
accounts condensed onto the site.
4. This project would be successful if it manages to propose alternative financial and spatial
models for the future of Chrisp Street Market as an outstanding experiment for the future
of social housing in London.