Water Boulevards
London Based designers have revealed visionary designs for green infrastructure and water sensitive designs that will mitigate flooding and turn neglected places into vibrant and liveable communities.
Baharash Architecture revealed their recent designs at Eco-build, one of the largest sustainability events in the world, after being shortlisted for an open international design ideas competition for the royal docks in London. The design was awarded the “Runner-up” prize for their creative solution to promote green infrastructure, water sensitive designs and sustainable living into the royal docks, while also mitigating the risks of flooding and pollution.
Baharash Architectures’ proposal is for an integrated approach between land and water. Their design weaves the surrounding communities of the docks with a network of sustainable “Water Boulevards” that will provide a unique identity to the docks and promote the three pillars of sustainability.
- Economic sustainability
The natural tranquillity of the Water Boulevards will provide for premium retail frontages, thus increasing footfall and retail demand, which creates more jobs. The cost savings and efficiencies from water recycling and productive gardens will be an economic benefit.
- Environmental Sustainability
The ponds, swales and reed beds of the water boulevards, passively reduce flood risk, provide temporary storage and improve water quality, while creating wetland habitats for wildlife in an attractive aquatic setting.
- Social sustainability
The Water Boulevards will connect communities together while promoting engagement in water management & increasing social responsibility by encouraging a sense of “stewardship” in the community.
The Water Boulevards require a holistic approach between Urban, Building & Landscape designers for integrating people & places with water sensitive urban design and green infrastructure. Ultimately, their design will transform the Royal docks into a series of floating sustainable villages for the 21st Century.
Baharash Bagherian, Managing Director of Baharash Architecture, describes the proposal as adaptable and relevant. “What really excites me about our proposal is that it can be adapted and applied to many different settings and street typologies, all of which provide for a linear aquatic park to collect and filter rain water, while providing residents and workers with a variation of functional spaces & experiences. I can see this concept applied to many locations across the world where flooding is an issue, especially here in the UK. We hope our designs demonstrate creative solutions to the problems of flooding while providing residents and workers with a higher quality of life together with protection of the environment”.
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