7N Architects
West Town Stories
Digital print on plywood and board
120 x 630 cm
Our submission to the RSA Annual Exhibition illustrates how daily life could be in West Town, a new western extension to the City of Edinburgh which has been designed around...
Our submission to the RSA Annual Exhibition illustrates how daily life could be in West Town, a new western extension to the City of Edinburgh which has been designed around the principles of a 20 Minute Neighbourhood. It is presented as a series of journeys through the neighbourhood, from the multi-generational perspectives of eight people aged 7 to 77, to imagine how the new place can be an enriching and inclusive place to live a sustainable life. The proposals explore how a new neighbourhood of 7,000 homes can be created as a mixed-use place where many of the needs of daily life, schools, work, shops, affordable homes, and community amenities are within a 20 minute walk or cycle, while being very well connected to the wider city by bus and tram. The streets and spaces are designed for people and bicycles to promote sustainable movement choices and to facilitate the social interaction that is vital to a thriving community and personal wellbeing. Streets where children can play; front garden spaces that encourage casual chat with passers-by; shared community facilities including parks, playing fields and play areas where people can meet acquaintances and forge friendships and support networks. A local community where you know your neighbours and feel a sense of belonging within a local community that is strongly and inclusively connected to the city and the world beyond its boundaries. These 20 Minute Neighbourhood principles have learned from the past to safeguard the future. Fundamental human needs to engage with each other have not changed much over the centuries but the fragmentation of city environments due to the car has had a dislocating impact on social cohesion and wellbeing for many people, as well as being a significant factor in accelerating climate change. The masterplan for West Town has been developed to create a resilient and adaptable urban environment that responds to the challenges of climate change, where sustainable choices are the easy default rather than the exception - but the true test will be the richness of the future life stories of the people who will live there. Commissioning client is West Town Edinburgh Ltd. Masterplan by 7N Architects & Optimised Environments. Accompanying visualisations by DAAKO. Main drawing: 120cm (h) x 240cm (w) x 1cm (d) Visualisations each (2no.): 120cm (h) x 190cm (w) x 1cm (d) Note: above are suggested dimensions and can be adjusted to suit available space.