Unit 12 : Architecture of Urbanism. Land as a Secret Weapon

Unit Leader

Aseem Inam

The architecture of urbanism is the underlying structure, not only what is visible but also that which is largely invisible, of city-design-and-building-processes and their spatial outcomes. When we closely examine this underlying structure, we realize that one of the most overlooked, and yet most significant, elements of this structure is land. Urban land has been shown to turn into a nodal point through which a particular modality of urban development [i.e. financially wired and profit-oriented] has been encouraged to flourish. According to recent investigative research, land ownership in England is astonishingly unequal with 25,000 people—far less than 1% of its population—owns half the land, so it is heavily concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite. There are many ways to reform this highly unequal and privileged system that is destructive for the city and its ecology. Architects and urbanists can play an essential role in reforming this system, provided they truly can grasp its fundamental dysfunctionality and have the courage to propose real change . Working in collaboration with the innovative and pioneering Stokes Croft Land Trust in Bristol, this unit carried out deep investigation and creative speculation to design radical imaginaries that are public-facing, community-benefitting, and based on fundamental shifts in patterns of land ownership and occupation.

Cultural Art Centre

UREMCAA: Under-represented Ethnic Minority Cultural Activist Artists

Naina Manglik

View Project

Bristol Centre for Community Wealth Building

Connecting People

Bridget Yu

View Project

Only Green (Land as a Secret Weapon)

A Landmark of Community Activism and Social Progress

View Project

Jamaica Street Studios

The restoration of one of Stokes Croft’s most historic buildings

View Project

The School of Food Activism

An Experiment in Urban Food Systems

Hanna Austin

View Project

The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft Centre For Community Change

A Community Centre revives Stokes Croft

View Project

Women Refugee Centre

The creation of safe spaces and community

View Project

Re-thinking the Public Toilet Through a Reclaimed Turbo Island

Public toilet Art gallery

Benjamin Tarver

View Project