REVITALIZING THE DEE BASIN

Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Media, Arts and Social Science Liverpool

Project idea

During the 13th and 14th centuries, Chester was the largest and the busiest port in the north-west, trading with ports throughout the British Isles and Europe. The Water Tower was built in 1322 as an extension of the famous Chester City wall. In addition to its defensive role, the tower also functioned as a base for monitoring shipping and trading activities took place in River Dee port. It formed a prominent landmark with key views towards it from Dee Basin.

The particular urban design proposal is focused on revitalizing the neighborhoods around the existing water Tower and the Wharf in Chester where the Canal meets the River Dee. This Canal Environment was used to be a Dee Basin in the Past - A water body used for trading purposes. Adjacent to that is the Water Tower which was built as an extension to the City Wall, in order to monitor the activities taken place near River Dee and Dee Basin. The idea was to create a central Neighbourhood to attract people from the surrounding residential sectors. For this, the Three main interconnected themes were attached together which are, The Canal Market, Aquaponics, and a recreational hub. These themes were assigned into nodes of a Modern city wall extension (flyover) which is the ultimate vision of the project running along the canal and across the River Dee.

Project description

Chester is a walled city in Chesire, England. It is situated near River Dee, close to the border of Wales and is well-preserved until today. In 18 century, Chester played a significant part in the Industrial Revolution which began in the North West of England. The given site was located a 5-minute walk from River Dee and 15 minutes walk from the city center. The site is surrounded mainly by residential buildings an some small retails.

We have looked at the existing conditions of Chester and figured that there is a lack of connection between the city center and the outer residential areas. We marked the potential site to implement our urban strategy of creating a community hub as there were no distinct social spaces nearby.

Our strategy is to extend the city wall by proposing a modern flyover across the chosen neighborhood. Also, we have introduced the idea of having ‘3D nodes’ at each access point to the flyover from the ground level where the main activities representing different themes will be taken place. The idea is to bring more sense of place to the Dee Basin making a vibrant atmosphere full of life.

The flyover is designed with access elevators and staircases/Ramps in each access point. These access points/Nodes represent an activity-based environment with unique themes. Based on that the main Nodes were introduced as Market Node, Agricultural Node, Recreational Fishing Node each reveling peculiar essences. The flyover was extended across the river Dee has an extensive bridge structure which will lead someone to the other side of the River where the Golf Node is placed.

Market Node -

This space was created in order to achieve a hierarchy of activities. Simply the function is buying and selling in this area. But having a local market and food stalls may encourage people to interact and identify this place as a meeting point. As the design brings a new public realm for people. The canal represents an incremental function incorporating the activities with the market and the food stall environment. The Canal boats are also being used as unique restaurant spaces or other themes of the function. The adjacent neighborhood is provided with allotment spaces which can be fro their own household benefit or for the use of the market.

Agricultural Node -

As development for the agricultural node, by using the water bodies aquaponics will be the main planting system. Also, in terms of the spatial function, a playground and a garden will be designed for the children and the visitors from the flyover. This design is based on the modular system. A 1m x 1 m square is the basic. Each space will then be derived from the basics depend on the function and uses. The aquaponics planting is added to each space which is interconnected so that people can learn and participate while playing and relaxing.


Recreational Fishing Node -

Fishing is reasonably popular in Chester The fishing at the river Dee is relatively poor. The reason is due to lack of accessibility to the water edge, the electrical power line that hinders the access to fishing on the existing promenade. Also, The view of the canal entrance is currently masked with vegetation. The newly proposed fishing promenade will connect existing routes and establish an edge for the canal.

Technical information

Masterplan.
Market Node Plan
Agricultural Node Plan
Recreational Fishing Node Plan
Areal View
Perspectives through each Node
3D views