Localism and community – megatrends for 2010So, I’m going to talk to you about my community
This is the Market Estate, near where I used to live in Kings Cross, that was built in the 60s.The redevelopment Kings Cross probably contributed to a growing drugs and prostitution problem in and around the estate as activity was displaced from Kings Cross. Eventually the estate became run down, neglected and plagued by anti-social behaviour. A multi-million pound government and council investment in the 1990s failed to stop the decline, in fact the concierge's office was burnt out and the CCTV system vandalised and not replaced.
Many innovations to counter the neglect were put on the table, including the innovative, but slightly mad ‘Space City’ where the estate would be re-built entirely made of glass. This was rejected due to high budget.
The Market Estate Project, earlier this year, marked an important moment in the regeneration of the Market Estate.
With the last remaining residents moving out of the old estate blocks in February of this year, the Market Estate Project invited 75 artists, designers and residents of the estate, to work together left behind flats, corridors, staircases and building facades.
An estimated 2500 people attended the day, myself among them. And it was considered to be a great success – in fact it was described by artist Anthony Gormley as a "joy and delight".
The project was developed as a partnership between Southern Housing Group and TallTales, a London based art practice which focuses on working with artists in areas undergoing development.
