Generating a socio-ecologically resilient and cohesive connected built and natural environments, with variety and complexity in its places, activities and

Socio-ecological resilience recognises the non-linearity, complexity and dynamism of systems in cities. A socio-ecologically resilient system constantly undergoes transformations, potentially bouncing forward, enabling the entire places and spaces to maintain the essential functions when dealing with shocks (Sharifi 2019, p. 172). This became a key source of inspiration for the project whereby the post-industrial site had areas of disuse, yet still retained an emerging group of light industrial/creative industry/educational uses in other parts of the site.

The varied open spaces proposed, highlights the flexibility of open space designed for the area, that allows for sitting, lounging etc. but also functions as a defensive zone for flooding and ecological sources for biodiversity. With the open space and movement network designed under the principle of serial vision for pedestrians and cyclist. Alongside the mix of uses, building type and lot sizes; the open space and street edges have the potential to be adapted into new spaces. This integration of green/blue infrastructure with the built environment was critical in creating ecological networks and corridors that responds to the context, so that they can function to provide multiple urban and ecosystem services.

By creating this network of green/blue infrastructure with open spaces network and the connectivity network, there are multiple opportunities for transitionary buffer zones between urban and natural environments which can accommodate; the movement of different species, enhance biodiversity, provide ecological vitality, mitigate flood risk, mitigate air pollution, provide water management (DEFRA et al. 2015) and meaningful interstitial spaces that enhance pavement security (Trancik 1986; Jacobs 2016). The strategy for the street design have been developed under the principles of the human scale, safety, complexity, imageability and enclosure. The key intervention proposed is widening the pavements to prioritise and enhance the user experience for pedestrian, cyclists and non-able bodied users, at street level. The heights of the proposed buildings have been designed with Gehl et al. (2006) effective viewing distances to try be more proportionate to the human scale at ground level but at the same time balancing the developmental pressures that Cardiff is undergoing.

The retention of the existing gridded street network and the adaptive reuse of significant buildings on site to allow for a logical but still recognisable the arrangement of paths, edges and nodes with punctuated landmarks. Many of these adaptively reused and retrofitted buildings and also intended to provide community functions which include: an urban farming centre, a cycle transportation hub, community and youth facility and a medical centre. With these functions, these spaces will in turn work as punctuated landmarks spread throughout the site, allowing for easier way finding but also provide empowering community spaces. These collective interventions are aimed at creating resilient places and adaptive spaces.