Thames Barrier Park

THAMES BARRIER PARK IN LONDON, UK

Thames Barrier Park is a green space project in London, implemented in October 2001 as part of an urban development initiative. The initiators were the London Development Agency, ARUP, and Architects, and the park’s design aimed to provide a lush oasis for visitors and locals while considering the soundscape. It was recognized with the Best Open Space in Britain Award in 2008.

Oct 2001

CONTEXT

Thames Barrier Park is located next to the Thames Flood Barrier, on the banks of the River Thames. The park was created as part of an urban development initiative to provide a beautiful, green space for both locals and tourists to enjoy. The park's design was also carefully planned to ensure a pleasant auditory experience for everyone [1].

INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

The soundscape strategies implemented in the park design to mitigate the impact of road traffic noise on visitors include constructing the park on a plateau, incorporating a green trench in the park's design, and installing a water fountain at the beginning of the trench. The green trench, which runs through the center of the park, helps to commemorate the area's history as the site of the London docks, while the water fountain serves as a visual feature and produces a pleasant sound that masks the noise of passing traffic [1].

Present day

OBSERVATIONS

In 2008, the park was honored with the prestigious Best Open Space in Britain Award, which attests to the success of its overall design. Moreover, the park was recognized by Arup as an exemplar of urban design that takes into account the impact of sound, further highlighting its commendable qualities [1].

References

[1] Payne, S. R., Davies, W. J., & Adams, M. D. (2009). Research into the practical and policy applications of soundscape concepts and techniques in urban areas.

[2] Thames Barrier Park. Retrieved 7th March 2023, from https://pateltaylor.co.uk/works/landscape/thames-barrier-park

Entry submitted by: Xiaochao Chen