Model Making

This week, the Fenton Five is working hard on the model which is one of the crucial parts of the Fenton's installation.

Interactive Maps

The image above displays an interactive map which displays data in relation to life expectancy in each country whilst also providing information on population growth rate. The graph can also change in terms of which information is displayed and the user is able to navigate the different countries in order of life expectancy. This is an interesting way of presenting data both visually and digitally. To find out more visit the website.

Back to studio...

After visiting Fenton the five went on to collate all the data which had been collected that week and begin formatting the results in order to reach the next stage of our investigation, which will later on be presented in a form of installation…

Bad Ass!

After a long day of collecting data the Fenton Five grew increasingly hungry and were lucky enough to stumble across….‘Harvey’s Bad Ass Café’ where the five of us were able to experience some of Fenton’s finest - Oat Cakes!

We were also lucky enough to meet a man called Mike who owned the café, he explained to us a bit about the history of Fenton as well as the café, Mike led us down to the cellar where he told us that the café had been around for over 100 years and that since they moved in [4 months ago] there were various pots, mugs and plates which had been left there for years…..badass!

Fenton Fun!

Along the way we stumbled across various interesting symbols, statues, monuments, emblems and signs part of Fenton. Fenton’s own mottto: ‘Onwards and Upwards!’which perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the town represented in Fenton’s very own monument. The image on the left ‘The Fenton Crest’ is a shield which is divided up into four quarters, separated by a fretty cross.

 The pottery industry is represented by the vase in the top left and the bottle kilns in the top right. The coal industry is represented by the pit head wheel in the bottom left. In the bottom right quarter a sheaf of corn in front of a plough.

Data Collection

Last week the Fenton Five were out and about collecting data - filling out our individual surveys, conducting site analysis, understanding what Fenton is all about and a bit of chatting to the locals!

Ceramics: A Fragile History (TV Series)

A new series on BBC4 called "Ceramics: A Fragile History" has been documenting the ceramics industry in Britain. The second episode, aired on Monday 17th October 2011. The 60 minute documentary is described as follows:

"This second film charts the rags to riches-to-rags epic of Stoke-on-Trent, a city built on clay and the heart of Britain's once world-beating ceramics empire. On the back of the 17th century phenomenon of tea, pottery in Britain exploded into a cutting-edge industry and a source of enormous national pride. We meet the key characters responsible for putting British ceramic art on the map: from Josiah Wedgwood, innovator, artist and marketing genius, and Josiah Spode (who made it his life's work to invent a British version of Chinese porcelain and came up, aged 60, with bone china, which revolutionised the industry) to the great 20th century ceramicists Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper. We see how demands for cheap labour since the 1980s have forced the closure of all but a handful of these great factories, leaving Stoke's crumbling overgrown ruins as our Pompeii. Contributors include AN Wilson, Neil Brownsword, Lucy Worsley, Miranda Goodby, Emmanuel Cooper and Matthew Rice."

The show is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer until Monday 31st Ocotber 2011 here.

1000 Singapores (Exhibition)

For the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale (Architecture - La Biennale di Venezia) the Singapore Pavilion set out to offer a "glimpse of [the] country and its development through a 'physical slice' of [the] landscape" through 1000 Singapores - A Model of the Compact City. The premise for the exhibition was based around the following:

"Singapore is capable of housing 6.5 million people. Singapore occupies only about 710 sq km. Multiply that by 1000, and it is possible to fit the entire population of the world into a land area approximately twice that of Italy, equal to Texas, one-fifth of India, and one-tenth of China. 1000 Singapores - A Model of the Compact City is also about the thousand faces of a high-density city-state - a portrait of the diversity of the living environment and the people who live in it. Ultimately, if 6.5 million people may be able to live sustainably on 710 sq km, this can offer a powerful model for the compact city of the future."

The exhibition presented a physical model of the slice through Singpaore's landscape, with a selection of photographs and diagrams corresponding to the model.

The exhibition projected out of the main gallery
space due to the length of the model.

The information was presented in such a way that, despite the quantity of information on display, it was still digestible; with the relationship between the model and images clear without the need for any explanation. This was aided through the simple, reductive diagrams.

The simplicity of the space aided the reading of the
information presented.

Through the use of a linear, transversal trajectory through the entire city viewers were able to explore the changing physical/natural/urban/rural/built landscape and as such understand the city with more clarity (although admittedly through a reductive model).

Digital representation of the project.

The exhibition ran from 26th August 2010 to 21st November 2010 at the Ground Floor Gallery Istituto Proviniciale per I'Infanzia, with an accompanying book. The online catalogue of the research, include the digital representation of the model is still available to view here.

After a long day...

After a long day of hard work...The Fenton Five were ready to head back to Manchester...some more so than others!

A few supplementary points added to survey of tick sheets

Physical, practical and psychological aspects must be thoroughly treated and then enhanced with valuable layers through work on city qualities (both visual and pragmatic), which can root people in the space-----means city space perform well.

Physical:
(1)Safe
Street light;
CCTV;
Separated road of different functions or shared road;
Pedestrian’s priority (continuity of the pavement);
Consideration for bicyclist;
Warning boards and signs;
Window light at night;
Gate and fence;
Transition from public to private (semiprivate space for interaction);Car-free areas (St linked to the main road of Victoria Rd);

(2)Green
Gasoline used (number of cars);
Climate: humidity/wind chill (low buildings and trees alongside can reduce the strength
of wind)/solar heat/average temperature;
Lighting;
Litter bins distribution;
Bus station (How large is area that a bus station need cover?);
Plantations;

Practical:
(3)Healthy
Sedentary and moving activities;
Exercise space;
Noise;
Sunlight;
Proportion of walking/bicycling/public transportation/private car;
Pollution;
Proportion of the road-----traffic lane, bicyclist, pedestrianism (room for walking);

(4)Wealthy
Infrastructure, for examples: bench, plants, bollard;
Varied materials for city’s visualization;
Proportion of necessary activities and optional (recreational) activities;

Psychological:
(5)Sense of Communities
Average size of household, number of residents per hectare;
Community bulletins and boards and signs;
Advertisements for the public community area or infrastructures;
Communication among people on the public space;
The frequency of varied facades in the length of the road;
Human scale or traffic scale;
Street furniture that provides ”talkscapes”;
Unhindered sightlines;

(6)Learning
Artistic display (installations and temporary works for children learning);
Schools;
Educational institutions, for examples: exhibition, art gallery, theatre;

Monday Walking in Fenton

On Monday, I went to Fenton for a pilot study and kept some records by camera. Maybe it’s just a glimpse at Fenton, but I hope this can help build up our desktop stuff and survey tick sheet. Perhaps we can find more about Fenton and things related to the 'tick sheet' methodology.

The following picture showed my route yesterday. Following the methodology from previous posts, I began at the Stoke-On-Trent Railway Station and walked through the south part of Leek Road and City Road, and reached the node which is one of the two ends of Victoria Road. Then walked along the whole Victoria Road and turned to the north part of Leek Road, back to where I started.

Route taken on initial visit to Fenton.

The two ends of Victoria Road are two big nodes with the roundabout connected a series of main roads leading to other parts of Stoke-On-Trent.

Victoria Road can be divided into different parts, because each has their own features, which was reflect in my change of emotion walking down the road. (From south to north)

1. Continuity of the residential area
On the southeast side of Victoria Road is a big area of residential area with some learning schools, so the south corner of Victoria Road is an area when there is transition from a residential area to a main commercial road. Features: residential houses alongside (type); front courtyards between the sidewalk and house (transition); monitor or CCTV in case of theft (safe issue); “Fenton Park” bulletins among residential area (community sense); no trees at all.



2. Combination of Houses/Church/Commercial
Features: boring and unified façade; shuttered doors; narrow road with two traffic lanes; narrow pavement; rarely people stay; no trees at all.

3. Commercial area with a variety of shops
This area basically consists of plenty of shops (clothing, mechanism, food, and supermarket). The width of the road does not stay the same, some of the area needs a little bit for a bigger public space for people to stay (however, with worse infrastructure). Features: colourful advertising bulletin; varied façade; more open and transparent on the ground floor; some awnings outside for people stay; more people walking through the toad; varied width of the road; narrow pavement.

4. Residential houses again with Fenton Park
Some residential houses again appeared along the road, but without front gardens, because the width of the road is too narrow. However, there is Fenton Park alongside, which is big green space, not only connected to Victoria Road, but also connected to different residential communities in the east area of Victoria Rd, which consists of lots of residential houses. The park must be the center of Victoria Rd, however, the space in front of the gate of the park is limited, with only a bust station near the gate. Features: Fenton Park, the mark of “Fenton” (community sense); green and environmental; people stay in the space for a long time (optional activities and recreational activities).

5. Fewer buildings with more grassland and trees
It is an area which transitions from the intensive buildings to less density, which give it a bit more space for grass and planting trees, which definitely contrasts to previous parts of Victoria Road, with little plants. But alongside are fences and brick walls, which get in the way of the view or interaction between people as well as people and buildings. Fewer residents showed up or walked by. Features: more plants; less density; clear boundaries defined by brick walls and fence; fewer people.




6. Fenton Industrial Estate
This space consists of an industrial estate with broader roads and a bigger scale of building and road, which give spaces for the “outside activity space”, which, however, just turn out to be the parking space or the ground with no people at all. A lot of one-storey or two-storey big supermarket and factories alongside and so the view along the road is open, because there are fewer buildings. However the shuttered door and the big scale make people feel less warm, which makes residents just pass by quickly instead of staying. And also, few people walk on this part of Victoria Road. Features: big scale; broader road; big media advertisement bulletin and bigger slogans; few people walking; big burden of traffic; more private cars; strong wind.

7. Small scale of shops and residential houses back again
When getting closer to the node of Leek Road and Victoria Road in the north, the corner space is filled with small scale buildings along the road.



Other observations of Victoria Road:
Bus stops are limited with a long walk between each bus station; more private cars than public transportation (not green and not sustainable as there is less walking); no lanes for bicyclists (bicycle and car even share a road which is dangerous and there are fewer bicycles); little infrastructure (benches, bollards, monuments, plinths of flower bed) for people stay in a space except for the fenton park

Other parts of Fenton (Leek Road, City Road, King Street):
At the intersection of City Road and Leek Road, I found this bulletin which shows "Welcome to Fenton”.



It is interesting that the bicycle lanes sometimes share the road with car, and sometimes share the road with pedestrian, which is really dangerous.

There is more traffic than people walking and bicycling (not healthy), and there seems to be fewer optional or recreational activities outside (not lively).

Section Sketches of Clayton and Trafford

These abstract section sketches (below) can reflect what surround people in specific space, with the proportion of the traffic lane and pavement, the height and scale of the building, the planting as well as the interaction between people and a person and architecture. On our pilot studies I tested this method, first in Trafford and Clayton.

Old Trafford

Clayton

After last Friday’s discussion, it is possible for us to present some of the data collected through these section sketches with the following: colour; lines of interaction; scale; areas covered by CCTV; boundaries; angle of sunlight (healthy); gray space of buildings; how people use the space with the specific behavior we observe; and lines of vision for standing, sitting and children’s level are studied and naturally incorporated in the sectional drawing of buildings and streets. This can be both on the day (visits) or on camera - which should show how the space performs and functions. With more detailed things inserted in the section sketch they could turn out to be simple or abstract. I think it’s interesting when we put the data in and translate it not only into diagrams/graphics but also this vivid way.

Planning Policy for Fenton

Fenton lies on the boundary between the Stoke-on-Trent Inner Urban Area Spatial Strategy and the Stoke Outer Urban Area Spatial Strategy, with the eastern boundary to the Inner Urban Area defined by Fenton Manor, as set out in the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent Core Spatial Strategy Document 2006-2026 (adopted 2009). However Fenton is covered by the strategies set out for the Outer Urban Area.

Stoke Outer Urban Area Spatial Strategy

The strategy sets out the following visions for the Outer Urban Area:

“The Strategy will provide for increased vitality and vibrancy of Longton, Tunstall, Fenton town and Meir centres and improve accessibility and availability of modern local facilities.  Housing growth will be focused to address specific regeneration priorities at general densities of 50 dwellings per hectare, and the creation of new employment opportunities through major new development will maximise economic potential.  Regeneration of the Outer Urban Areas will create sustainable communities, which complements the major growth planned for the City Centre and Inner Urban Core. Tunstall and Longton will continue to provide important district centre facilities serving the north and south of the City.  Fenton and Meir remain as important centres in their own right. The character form and function of older residential areas will be improved and steps taken to improve and diversify the tenure of many social housing estates built in the suburbs of the City.”

Within the strategy Fenton is defined as a Significant Urban Centre that "derives its town centre designation because of its historic role, rather than its retailing provision which is more characteristic of a local centre." Its current retail provisions is described as "limited" and there is "scope for an additional 500m2 of retail development, to serve a local catchment only." Furthermore Fenton is to serve as "a sport and leisure focus for the City", possibly because of the Fenton Manor Sports Complex and its close proximity to the Britannia Stadium.

Local Development Framework City of Stoke-on-Trent Proposals Map.
Detail of Fenton and surrounding area.

The 2011 Quick Guide produced by the Planning Department states that any area not covered by the City Centre and Etruia Road Corridor Area Action Plan or Inner Urban Core Action Plan will be covered by the Portfolio Development Plan Document. This document is currently under production is due to be published sometime in Ocotber 2011 and as such the most relevant information pertaining to Fenton has so far been found in the LDF document and proposals for the Outer Urban Area.

Earlier guidance, specifically the Revised City Plan 2001, designated two areas of wildlife interest in Fenton at the Manorfields Pool (Fenton Manor) and Smith's Pool, Fenton Manor was also highlighted as a site of particular known nature conservation interest. It also described two Local Centres (a third tier ofdesignation below Regional and District Centres) within Fenton: Kwik Save, 37-75 (odd nos) & 48-114 (even nos) Victoria Road; and 239-321 (odd nos) City Road, 5-15 (odd nos) & 2-26 (even nos) Christchurch Street, 7-17 (odd nos) Manor Street, & 2 Fountain Street.

Planning Policy for Stoke-on-Trent

Planning Policy for Fenton is set by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and provides a framework to "guide and control the development of land and buildings in the area", it also "sets out proposals as to how it should develop in the future." The Planning Policy Team at the Council maintains a number of documents, including the Local Development Framework or LDF (in time this will replace the City of Stoke-on-Trent Local Plan of 1993), which sets out of the guidelines and can be used to assess planning applications. There is a hierarchy to these strategies, with a number of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) which "provide greater detail on the planning policies produced by Local Authorities". The Local Development Scheme is the "keystone" to the Local Development Framework and is a management document that enables the public to find out what planning policies are currently in force.

Hierarchy of the Local Development Framework in the City of Stoke-on-Trent.

The new Government has "clearly signalled their intention to rapidly abolish Regional Strategies" but as legislation regarding this abolition is still emerging these policies will still have a standing on development. As such the Stoke-on-Trent City Council will continue to use targets set out in the adopted (2009) Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent Core Spatial Strategy. This strategy "provides the foundation for detailed modern planning policy and supports delivery of North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership and regeneration priorities in the City and North Staffordshire."

Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent Core Spatial Strategy

The Council is currently working on three strategic documents (as of Spring 2011): The City Centre and Etruia Road Corridor Area action Plan; the Inner Urban Core Area Action Plan; and the Development Portfolio DPD (or the Outer Urban Area). These new plans will guide development over the next 10-20 years with the aim being that: "‘The Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and the City of Stoke-on-Trent will be a prosperous, vibrant, environmentally responsible and successful area of choice for businesses, visitors and residents in the period up to 2026."

Strategic Sub Areas (adopted 2009)

The LDF states that "The polycentric nature of the conurbation means that the plan area contains a number of highly distinctive centres." It sets out a number of Strategic Centres (including the City Centre of Stoke-on-Trent defined by the "traditional core city centre bounded by the Potteries Way Ring Road"), Significant Urban Centres (including Fenton), Local Urban Centres, Rural Service Centres and Villages.

LDF City of Stoke-on-Trent Proposals Map (North and South combined)

Furthermore the LDF adds that:

"The physical, social and economic landscape of the plan area is extremely diverse, and presents a multitude of different challenges and opportunities.  To ensure that the Core Spatial Strategy addresses these challenges and opportunities efficiently and comprehensively, the plan area has been divided into six distinct strategic sub areas."

Each centre is to have a clearly defined role within the wider spatial strategy.

Strategic and Spatial Strategies Diagram

For a summary of Planning Policy in the City of Stoke-on-Trent see the following quick guide, produced by the Council in January 2011, here.

Moving Forward

Following the pilot studies, conducted in Manchester last week, attention now turns back to Fenton. On Friday, during a Studio Tutorial we reviewed our mapping methodologies, refined it and the developed a strategy for documenting Fenton.

1. Review of discussion with studio tutors.

The first stage involved a discussion with our studio tutors, reviewing the pilot studies and what data was collected. This discussion continued amongst the group and a few key methodologies emerged, including the desire to develop a form of 'tick sheet' or survey that could be carried out along a route in Fenton. The intention would then be to 'graft' this data onto two-dimensional (in the form of plans and sections) and three-dimensional 'segments' of the route.

2. Key themes each group member wanted to pursue.

However, the exact nature of the study (what data would be collected) was less clear and as such the group went 'back to first principles' and identified the key topics that each member was interested in studying. Areas of similarity and cross over were quickly identified and a condensed set of key themes emerged: Perception, Infrastructure, Control, Regulation, and Scale.

3. Key themes and looking for connections.

The next stage involved identifying a loose research question or statement. The key themes were also further explored as was the idea of 'reduction' and how this could be applied to the themes and data collected. At this stage the notion of layering became prominent, with the intention to collect a wealth of data that could be layered to reveal new or previously hidden relationships.

4. Developing relationships between key themes.

In attempting to define a methodology to reveal the latent characteristics of a place (through the layering of different datasets) the idea of performance was also important, how does space perform?

5. Exploring planning policy relevant to Stoke-on-Trent.

The group then took a sideways step and began discussing current policy that is affecting the wider urban area of stoke-on-Trent, particularly planning policy. Research into Local Development Frameworks for Stoke revealed that Fenton lies at the boundary of two strategic areas of the city: the Inner Urban Core and the Outer Urban Area. It also revealed a proposal in which a future Stoke was defined as the following: a Healthier City; a Learning City; a Wealthier City; a Strong Sense of Community; a Safer City; and a Green City.

6. Mapping the key themes and relevant policy areas.

These six categories provide an interesting lens through which to study the Fenton area. If the intention is to improve Stoke in relation to these characteristics then it is possible to assess the current urban fabric in relation to these categories. Using the previously mentioned tools of tick sheets and surveys the intention is to document a route through Fenton in terms of these six categories. This data will then be grafted onto a three dimensional scaffolding that may reveal particular physical characteristics in the urban form that lend themselves to these categories. Concurrently a study of the 'perceived' Fenton will be carried out, using the same categories, which will enable the group to draw comparisons. There is also the potential to draw comparisons with idealised models.