TOWARDS a SOCIAL SOLUTION to LITTLE UNDERBANK: a street dressing 2018

 

A 2018 one day street dressing public festival:
"let's paint Little Underbank better" The re-birth of a lost medieval street

The AIMS would be as follows:

1. re-assign the function of Little Underbank from failed roadway to secure child safe public pedestrian space (like the Shambles In York).

2. all the brows and Royal Oak Yard to be tied into the project to make an exciting little pedestrian labyrinth (like a little Venice).

3. to create a brand for the area that is distinct from Merseyway: the Heritage Lanes of medieval Stockport  (Underbanks Protected Conservation Area.) Or the STEPS and BROWS of the UNDERBANKS?

The MEANS would be creative community activist intervention with a website dedicated to community feedback. Every day in Little Underbank could be festive. The pavements could be permanently inlaid with designs and signs. Called a renaissance when this happens

A street festival. A one day (Sunday 10-4) community event in 2018 along the length of Little Underbank with a pedestrianised carriageway “dressing” from White Lion to the bollards below the brewery entrance. (Please see attachment renders) At least thirty 300cm x 300cm fabric panels with images sponsored by schools, local retailers, artists and sponsors. Fabric bunting above the road.

Only gov.uk commitment can make this happen. A number of agencies such as car parking owners, stakeholders, retailers and shuttle bus operators would need to give their support for the six hour event (+ preparation time)

The events will be filmed by BBC and other media platforms and published. 

Public consultation questionnaires at the time of the event may help to persuade the Stockport MBC road lobby of the economic advantage of a Shambles type urban district. The potential for this area is greater than both the Exchange and Redrocks developments at a fraction of the cost.

A partnership with local heritage representatives is essential for this first step in a Stockport revival. The sum of money voted to "improve" the area could easily miss its target unless demonstrable social interaction with the place can specify needs and suggest solutions.

A reconstruction render of Little Underbank with a painted or part floral street dressing s proposed. Work undertaken by a wide range of community partners; schools, sponsors, local artists. The design is not proposed here but comes from a popular event at Bolsena, Italy.

 

Little Underbank looking towards St Petersgate Bridge in a hypothetical render. Street dressings in a variety of media placed on temporary calico or linen supports. Bunting above celebrates the space of the curve of the road. An end wall of the shop units is here given addressing of the Stockport Coat of Arms in the yellow and blue found in the paintwork of St Petersgate Bridge. Note how Mealhouse Brow can be used as part of this event. The success of Little Underbanks has a great impact on Market Hall prosperity. There is already a fine piazza at this junction but it has never been put to use because it is still a hazardous motor carriageway.