Shaping Acton
Ealing Council appointed Freehaus to lead a multi-disciplinary team to develop a community-led strategic vision for Acton in West London.
Shaping Acton was a research, consultation and strategic project to provide recommendations for the future development of the area. The team included Freehaus, Context Office, BBUK, Volterra and Momentum – covering architecture, urban design, landscape, transport and economic specialisms.
The study encompassed a large area across the multiple distinct neighbourhoods, green spaces and town centres of Acton, its varied urban grain and contrasting economic outlooks. Industrial zones and transport infrastructure create severance between many parts of the area and define its overall boundaries, which will see future change via HS2 and regeneration in OPDC to the North.
The team got to know the area and its unique character by undertaking a series of walking days as well as extensive policy research, mapping and economic analysis.
Taking a ‘20-minute Neighbourhood’ approach, the proposals seek to improve active transport opportunities, access to green spaces, local services and wider economic benefits.
We worked closely with officers Ealing Council and OPDC, local stakeholders and community groups. Engagement sessions were tailored to engage with a wide range of local residents and businesses in a variety of locations, and included drop-in sessions, walking tours, a pop-up at Acton Carnival, an online survey, digital engagement, posters and flyers.
Key issues raised during these sessions included traffic, accessibility around town centres and public transport, high street economies/vacancies, the need to improve access and quality to green space and other key amenities, to safeguard industrial areas, employment and training opportunities especially for young people.
The evidence base of research and engagement findings were distilled into Guiding Principles for the vision, based on five key themes - culture and local identity, transport and connectivity, green spaces and climate, economy and jobs, and town centre growth. Vision maps showed strategies for these on a wide scale and four key locations were shown in detail as ‘Focus Areas’, which we used as illustrative examples of how the various strands of ideas could be implemented in a specific area.
A Delivery Strategy was developed to identify individual projects, partnerships and policies that could deliver these improvements on the ground, which range from small scale quick projects, such as improving park signage, to larger long-term projects such as main road improvements or town centre revitalisation.
The project outcomes are part of ongoing conversations with Ealing Council to realise the future vision for Acton.
Tags: Community
“Acton is a diverse community, but lacks a sense of cohesion facing inwards to link things together. It has become a place where it is easier to leave than to focus inwardly.”
Local resident in response to online survey
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Champion Acton’s cultural life and build its unique identity.
Bring Acton together by improving connections.
Engagement session analysing opportunities for connectivity.
Engagement session directed at local young people and how they see Acton.
Safeguard Acton’s industrial hubs and employment opportunities.
Bolster and enhance nature and biodiversity in Acton.
Integrate Acton’s development and encourage growth based on local needs.
Engagement stall at Acton Carnival asking visitors about how they see the area.
