Shuwen Jiang, Weijie Wang, Xiaohang Zhang, Hyesu Yu, Takeshi Uchikoshi
Team Project
Project Overview: #inclusivity #cultural diversity #civic participation
During the September 2018 global innovation design collaboration involving Pratt Institute, Keio University, Tsinghua University, Royal College of Art, and Imperial College London, a cross-disciplinary team of five students embarked on an exploration of London's geography, particularly in Shoreditch High Street, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields. This endeavor aimed to unveil the city's social and behavioral dynamics by engaging with its cultural diversity and multifaceted personalities.
Shoreditch High Street, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields
Upon meticulous examination, the essence of East London materializes as a fusion of celebrated street art, vibrant open-air markets, economical street gastronomy, and antiquated boutiques. The path from Shoreditch to Brick Lane unveils a passage richly adorned with graffiti, inviting exploration and immersion in this captivating urban artistry.
During an intensive two-week field research period, we engaged in street interviews with 16 individuals in East London and closely observed the street performances by numerous artists. Our findings revealed a captivating trend wherein the cultural diversity of East London magnetized a significant number of visitors, with the majority expressing eagerness to partake in similar events if afforded the opportunity.
Derived from the survey outcomes, we formulated a design inquiry: How can individuals be facilitated in joining art activities and nurturing their creativity within the scope of East London?
Conducting a preliminary investigation, we assessed four nearby locations, ultimately opting for the site with the highest participant count for the definitive study.
（Images from London Calling Team)
