FOCUS I

BTCV, Hounslow Heath

The BTCV, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, charity was set up in 1959 and has a successful history of environmental conservation volunteering throughout the UK and around the world.



We contacted the Richmond office and on a cloudy Tuesday morning met up on Hounslow Heath. Our mission for the day was to conserve an area of heathland at the south of the park. This meant removing vegetation, predominately Broom and Gorse. These plants grew taller the Heather and therefore 'shaded' it out, causing it to die. Traditionally the Heath had been common land and grazed by a variety of livestock. The gazing kept the Broom and Gorse in check, allowing Heather to thrive. Now the livestock has gone and it is up to volunteers to do their job.



The day was a useful hands on approach to habitat creation. It also made me wonder why livestock couldn't be reintroduced to the area. Maybe some sort of 'urban wild grazing animal sanctuary'. The idea of a heard of wild animals roaming the heath has a certain appeal to me.


The BBC has a useful summary of Heathland habitat information here.


Mile End Park, Tower Hamlets



Oh dear, time has not been kind this poor old park...
Completed in 2002 the park has been completely left to ruin.



Water features are stagnant pools of rubbish strewn filth, that is if any water remains.



Planting has been left to die or has disappeared.



All available surfaces are covered in graffiti.

It seems that the community that was so involved in shaping the park has turned its back on it.

CABE has information here.




Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf



Enclosed, Clean, Used, Maintained, Calm...



Stared down upon on all sides by mirror clad skyscrapers this park does an amazing job of making you forget, if just for an instant, that you are overlooked by these behemoths.



CABE has information here.


TATE Modern

SLIDES!!!!!!



Is this the future of urban transportation? What about escape routes for tower blocks?


RESFEST 10



Design, Animation, Film mash up!!!

RESFEST can be found here.
RES magazine online can be found here.