Latin ElephantBusiness survey and visual study

July 2012

Research byPatria Roman-VelazquezCarolina VelasquezIlinca Diaconescu

Context

Latin American business cluster

Existing development

Proposed development Oakmayne

Lend Lease

Castle Day Centre Ground level uses Retail

Cafe/Restaurant

Residential

Business

Church

Proposed market square

Proposed park

Proposed active play area

Proposed trees

Vehicular access

Pedestrian area

Shared street

This brief report aims to outline the concerns of the Latin American community in Elephant and Castle regarding H[LVWLQJ�VSDWLDO�DQG�GHVLJQ� LVVXHV�� WKH� ODFN�RI�D�XQLÀHG�/DWLQ�FKDUDFWHU�RI� WKH�DUHD�DQG� WKH� LPSDFWV�RI� IXWXUH�development on businesses and the wider community.

An urban design proposal for the area, with a focus on Elephant Road, was developed on the basis of input from local community representatives and Latin American retailers, to complement existing proposals and suggest alternatives for improvement.

These proposals will be included in the East Walworth Neighbourhood Plan, as an outcome of the consultation and engagement with the Latin American community.

New Kent Road

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Walworth Road Heygate Street

The Latin American Community Perspective Issues

Latin American business cluster

Existing development

Proposed development Oakmayne

Lend Lease

Crossway Church Ground level uses Retail

Cafe/Restaurant

Residential

Proposed market square

Proposed park

Proposed active play area

Proposed trees

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Poor aspect of facades and sidewalks

Lack of spatial linkage

7KH�PDLQ�SUREOHPV�LGHQWLÀHG�LQ�WKH�DUHD�DUH�UHODWHG�WR�WKH�SRRU�TXDOLW\�RI�WKH�SXEOLF�UHDOP�DGMDFHQW�WR�WKH�UHWDLO�DQG�EXVLQHVV�FOXVWHUV�(railway facades in need of refurbishment, narrow sidewalks, poor lighting), with implications on the sense of security and comfort of customers, retailers and passersby.

7KHUH�LV�D�VWURQJ�QHHG�IRU�VRFLDO�VSDFHV�VXFK�DV�RXWGRRU�VHDWLQJ��D�SDUN�IRU�UHOD[LQJ�DQG�SOD\LQJ�VSRUWV�DQG�D�FKLOGUHQ·V�SOD\JURXQG��which the current proposals are not providing.

:KLOH�WKH�SUHVHQFH�RI�WKH�/DWLQ�$PHULFDQ�FRPPXQLW\�LV�VWURQJO\�UHSUHVHQWHG�E\�EXVLQHVVHV��WKH�DUHD�ODFNV�D�XQLÀHG�VHQVH�RI�LGHQWLW\�and legibility, which contributes to the segregation of the community and can often deter a wider range of customers.

ProposalsThe Latin American Community Perspective

Improved access and linkage

Pedestrianised stret

Improved frontages

Community centre

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Spatially integrated Latin American area

Latin American presence

1.Public realm improvements�� access and spatial linkages �� lighting�� trees and soft landscaping�� outdoor seating and social spaces�� pedestrianised area on Elephant Road

2.Community amenities�� community centre�� VSRUWV�ÀHOG�� playground

3.Latin American identity�� public art�� suggestive street naming and signage�� Latin American presence in the proposed

market

Public Realm Access and Linkages

Latin American Road

Walworth Road

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Walworth Road

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Option 1: Raised table crossing-clear spatial connection between Elephant 5RDG�DQG�(DJOH·V�<DUG-transition to pedestrianised area or shared surface

Option 2: Island refuge crossing-OHVV�FRQVWUDLQLQJ�RQ�WUDIÀF�ÁRZ

Pedestrian crossing on Walworth Road

Street signage

Gateway to Elephant Road

Railway bridge murals

Elephant RoadPublic Realm

Improved lighting under the railway arches Shop fronts and terraces

Paving and landscaping Fixed seating on shared surfacesMobile seating in the pedestrianised area

Section through Elephant Road

Access and movement

Option 1

Option 2

Pedestrianised street

Shared surfaceSecondary street

Improved shop fronts

Fixed seating units

Mobile seating units

Sculpture

Gateway

Trees

Market square

Park

Elephant Road Community and Culture

Latin American public art Murals along the railway bridge and facades

Park and Community CentreOption 1: &KDQJH� GHYHORSPHQW� SORW� FRQÀJXUDWLRQ� WR�accommodate a playground (1), sports ground (2) and community FHQWUH�RQ�WKH�JURXQG�ÁRRU����

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Option 2: &KDQJH� GHYHORSPHQW� SORW� FRQÀJXUDWLRQ� WR�accommodate a shared play and sports area (1) and community centre building (2)

1

2

Option 3: Provide a play and sports area in the proposed park(1) and a community centre on Elephant Road (2)

1

2

Latin American stalss n the proposed market square

Latin American Character

Cluster A - Elephant Road1.La Vida Loca Macondo Cafe Transfers���0XVLFD�<�9LGHR ManicureLuz Dari Hair Salon2.La Chatica3.El Arco del Centro Topless Clothes��$VKOH\V·�0RQH\�7UDQVIHUV��<DPP\�%RXWLTXH Acua Fizz Spa4.Distriandina5.TAR Autos6.Bola 8 GE Transfers7.Mr. Piggy8.La Fama Carniceria9.Elephant Cafe

&OXVWHU�&���(DJOH·V�<DUG18.Los Arrieros19.Arko 143 Blanca Boutique Dona Susana�����*LURV�<�6HUYLFLRV�����-R\HULDV�'·ZHD Videomania20.Ecuafood Telegiros Money/Courier Cafe Food Retail Films and Music21.El Costenito Restaurant�����$PDQGD·V�%HDXW\ Oasis Ice Cream Continental Link Money Transfers22.San Andresito La Negra Restaurant Don Saul Restaurant Chiros Alterations Vida Natural London Lara Express Diego Computer Repairs

Cluster B - Shopping Centre10.Agencia Los Colorados11.Cafe Brasserie ���/XF\·V����1LFROH·V�$OWHUDWLRQV�DQG�5HSDLUV14.Alpha Travel Agency15.La Bodeguita Cafe16.Inara Money Transfers17.La Bodeguita Restaurant

Cluster D - Draper House Sherston Court

23. Shampoo Beauty Salon Cafe24.Tiendas Del Sur Latin Touch Soliman Travel CJ Music Colraices Uk Cocoon Beauty Salon A Silva Dental Studio���/HRQDUGR·V�%RXWLTXH Orozco Jewellery EnLace Latino Cocoloco Cafe Telegiros Money Transfer Surtihogar PinPoint Resources25.Donde Lucho

Key

Cafe/Restaurant

Clothes shop

Travel agency

Food shop

Pool games

Dentist

Film/MusicMoney transfer/CourierHair and beauty

Auto repairs

Estate agency

Computer/Print shop

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

AB

CD

9

Annexe 1 - Latin American Businesses in Elephant and Castle

Annexe 2 - Consultation Questionnaire and Summary of Responses

Questionnaire Consultation for Elephant Road

Neighbourhood Plan (July 2012)

1. The current proposal for Elephant Rd includes three uses (mixed flows, pedestrian and cars). How would you like Elephant Rd to be? (think about your needs and uses):

� Cars and cycles only � As proposed

� Pedestrian only � Mixed flows in entire road

2. Improvements to public space:

� Illumination � Public art (murals) � trees

� Sculptures � benches � wide pavements

� Others, mention: __________________________________________________

3. Use of space in Elephant Rd (beyond residential proposal)

� Diversity of uses (commercial, community, artistic)

� Commercial use only

� Other, mention: __________________________________________________

4. Would you like to have a community centre in Elephant Rd - Yes � No � Why ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

5. Would you like to have a park in Elephant Rd - Yes � No � Why ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

6. Would you like to have a playground in Elephant Rd: Yes � No � Why ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

7. Is better link needed between Eagles Yard y Elephant Rd (Walworth Rd) Yes � No �

8. If there was a market or plaza, what would you like to see or have in it? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Do you agree with the area being recognised as Latin? Yes � No �

10. What would you suggest for this? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Annexe 2 - Consultation Questionnaire and Summary of Responses