Abeen Sami

My project is based in Coal’s Drop Yard. Coal’s Drop Yard was redeveloped in 2018 by Thomas Heatherwick, after being left abandoned in 2003 following a shooting incident. This trend of turning abandoned spaces into expensive, trendy commercial areas is common in London, as seen with examples like Battersea Power Station. However, this kind of redevelopment, smoothing of a city, often erases the previous traces of occupancy and history, creating regulated spaces for specific activities, and not tolerating any activities outside the designated purposes. Since the redevelopment, Kings Cross has been surrounded by many commercial and expensive developments, such as Google and Samsung offices, as well as luxury apartments like R8, a 13-story building, and many more. Despite being marketed as affordable and welcoming, the reality is different. The process of gentrification is affecting areas like Somers Town and Camley, slowly encroaching into their residential areas. For instance, St Margaret’s Nursery was demolished to make way for the HS2 rail, despite local opposition and continuous meetings with the Somers Town Neighbourhood Forum and Camden Council. As a result, the community of Somers Town has a significant amount of graffiti on shops, billboards, and hoardings, representing the voices of people who are against gentrification and unstable developments. These decisions are made by the Camden Council without considering the importance and attachment held by the people to these places. It is evident that having a website and conducting meetings is not enough. Neighborhood forums should have dedicated spaces within a town hall to ensure that their voices, plans, and ideas are heard. Therefore, the project aims to disrupt the town hall to interject the community’s voice, and not only disrupt the town hall but also Coal’s Drop Yard.