Buy Prints
Commission
Fortunate is the stone which rest where its matter lies.
Jose y Gasset Ortega, 1973
Buy Prints
Commission
Fortunate is the stone which rest where its matter lies.
Jose y Gasset Ortega, 1973
Director: G O K E
Sound: G O K E
Production in association with UCL
Format: digital media
Duration: 1 min 57 seconds
Year: 2025
The Aberfeldy Estate in Poplar, East London, is undergoing a significant transformation aimed at revitalising the area and addressing the city's housing challenges. In partnership with EcoWorld London, Poplar HARCA is redeveloping the estate into Aberfeldy Village, a mixed-use urban village that will include over 1,500 new homes, with approximately 39% designated as affordable housing. This redevelopment is particularly noteworthy in the context of London's social housing landscape. The project has faced scrutiny over concerns of gentrification and the displacement of existing residents. In early 2023, Tower Hamlets Council rejected the proposed plans, citing issues such as increased traffic and the potential for social cleansing. However, following a strong mandate from the estate's residents - 93% of whom voted in favour of the redevelopment - the Mayor of London intervened, approving the next phase of the project. The Aberfeldy regeneration highlights the delicate balance between urban renewal and the preservation of affordable housing. While the development promises enhanced amenities and infrastructure, it underscores the broader debate in London about how to meet housing demands without eroding the social fabric of established communities.
As part of my project on the Aberfeldy Estate, I used 3D scanning to create a detailed point cloud of the site, capturing the geometry and spatial character of the buildings and surrounding public spaces. I then layered this visualisation with audio from the Tower Hamlets council meeting, where residents and officials debated the redevelopment plans. The result is an immersive audiovisual experience that juxtaposes the physical space of the estate with the social and political context of its transformation, highlighting the tensions around gentrification, affordable housing, and community engagement in London’s urban regeneration projects.