Exploring Everyday Streets
Chapter 19:
Urban depth and social integration on super-diverse London high streets
Jane Clossick and Rebecca Smink
Urban depth that promotes convivial interactions between different socioeconomic groups at varying city scales is crucial to facilitating optimal conditions for social integration. This chapter explores the relationship between urban depth and social integration in London at different scales (building/block, neighbourhood) in two superdiverse places in London: Tottenham and Stratford. The study is conducted using drawings, participant observation and interviews, emphasising the methodological value of reading the city closely through different types of drawings. We argue that urban depth on high streets and social integration are intimately linked. Therefore, it is necessary for planning policy to protect the type of urban depth in which diverse groups can flourish and form relationships.
About Jane Clossick
Jane Clossick is an urbanist, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, course leader for MA Architecture, Cities and Urbanism and studio leader for the Cities Unit in MArch Architecture at the School of Art, Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University.
About Rebecca Smink
Rebecca Smink graduated with a Masters in Urbanism from Delft University of Technology in 2020. During her years of study, designing for people was her key motivator, aiming to develop a deeper understanding of the impact of urban planning and design on socio-spatial processes. Rebecca now works at BURA urbanism Amsterdam.