Revealing the toolkit approach to achieve the Low Line Commons vision
Prachi Rampuria sets out our multi-faceted solution
The Low Line Commons vision connects people and nature along the route of the Victorian rail viaducts which stretch from Bankside, through London Bridge and on to Bermondsey. With so many different communities and uses along the Low Line route, the question is how we can fully realise the potential of this bold idea.
An incredible range of local needs, place specific opportunities and constraints along the 3.5km Low Line route raises a key question: how to design and enable the various projects over time in a coherent way that imparts a singular identity to the Low Line amidst diverse neighbourhoods. The overarching objective is to deliver the set climate resilience and urban greening targets with positive spin-offs to support health, well-being, sense of community and local economic development.
Illustrations by Concept Culture
To this end, a toolkit approach is adopted as it provides both opportunities for variance and commonalities. There are 12 components of the Low Line Commons Design Toolkit which are carefully selected because they support the delivery of the core urban greening and biodiversity targets. Each can be scalable and applicable across small, medium and large sites along the Low Line.
Example of how a medium scale space can be transformed using components from the Low Line Commons Toolkit
Appropriate components can be selected and applied to suit each project, making the Low Line Commons Toolkit a transferable enabling framework for collective action. It is a bank of inspiration for local stakeholders to draw from. It is not prescriptive, but a springboard for creative ideas and discussions amongst community groups, businesses, landowners, stakeholders and design professionals.
Example of how a large scale space can be transformed using components from the Low Line Commons Toolkit
The Toolkit will act as a powerful unifier when different teams and stakeholders work on diverse projects. It has the potential to empower incremental implementation rooted in a shared vision of tentative timeframes. It also presents a high-level catalogue of actionable interventions for setting in motion key delivery mechanisms and projects to benefit all stakeholders, and most importantly, the local community.
Potentially, the area of greening along the Low Line route can equal the size of nearby Southwark Park
In conclusion, stemming from a strategic case for why additional greening and space for nature is important for the Low Line initiative (in relation to climate resilience, social value and economic prosperity) the Toolkit presents the opportunity to increase more urban greening along the Low Line corridor, linking people with people, and people with nature.
Low Line was coined by Southwark resident David Stephens. Low Line Commons is a strategy and vision commissioned by Low Line Partners – Better Bankside, Team London Bridge, Blue Bermondsey, Southwark Council and The Arch Company.