The Stratford Urban Design Framework (UDF) is a collaborative project aimed at improving Stratford station in East London, one of the busiest stations in the UK. As part of a team at Thomas.Matthews, I helped deliver an engagement programme to find out what local stakeholders want. This information was then used to inform the work of architects at Fifth Studio, allowing them to create suitable proposals that met the demands of local people.
Work on this project was done as part of a team, while I was employed at Thomas.Matthews.
To cut through the cluttered visual environment of Stratford station and the surrounding areas, a strong and vibrant visual identity was needed for the consultation.
To ensure a broad demographic of station users was reached, our engagement programme used in-person consultations alongside online engagement platform Commonplace. This allowed for targeted campaigns and ensured our consultation was accessible for all, particularly as part of the consultation period fell during the pandemic.
The consultations were conducted in two rounds a year apart, allowing the project team to hear the community's opinions, create proposals based on them, and then hear feedback on those proposals.
Through careful planning, we were able to produce a reusable display system which could be quickly set up and taken down. This allowed us to hold consultations at multiple locations around the area, and gave us the flexibility required to respond to changing weather and other logistical challenges.
To reduce the embodied carbon in the display system, we specified a newly released material called Stormboard. Made from 100% "unrecyclable" mixed waste plastic, the strength and weather-resistant properties of the material meant it performed well outdoors, and fixings could be made by cutting interlocking sections into each sheet. Innovative materials were also used for the feedback pencils, which were made from reclaimed denim.
Special care was taken in the design process to ensure the display 'totems' would adhere to accessibility standards regarding viewer eye-level, as well as spacing for social distancing guidance, as the first consultation round occurred during the pandemic.
Once the totems and supporting materials had been produced, the consultation took place. This happened in two rounds, roughly a year apart. A change of Newham's leadership during this interval meant that there were new brand requirements from their team. The design team took these changes into account, while retaining key elements of the visual aesthetic.
To allow us to accurately assess the data gathered, our in-person engagement team entered responses into iPads linked to the Commonplace website. This created synthesis between the digital and physical consultations, allowing all data to be securely managed in one place.
As part of the consultation period fell during the pandemic, an accessible and functional platform for online engagement was essential to the project's success. Commonplace, the platform we used, gave us useful tools regarding the demographic data of respondents, allowing LLDC and other partners to build a well-rounded business case for funding. The consultation site can be viewed here.
As part of the Commonplace consultation, an online and print campaign was run to encourage participation. This approach ensured an inclusive consultation, giving more and less technologically literate people a chance to take part. Printed posters were displayed in the station surrounds to inform people of consultation times and locations.
In co-ordination with Commonplace, the online campaign targeted demographics in the area which were being under-represented in the physical consultation.
