Architecture + Urbanism_Portfolio

EXISTING CONDITION
MASTERPLAN STRATEGIES
Rail Line
Canal and Culverts
Parking areas Historic Loop Commercial Centres
Post-World War II, affordable cars surged, and the UK’s 1960s motorway
construction doubled private cars to ten million. However, this disrupted
town centers, prompting some to adopt pedestrianization projects to
reduce car dependency. Wigan’s history is intertwined with the River
Douglas and Leeds and Liverpool Canal, crucial for water, power, and
transport, now a celebrated heritage attraction.
The town features various parking areas to accommodate the prevalence of
vehicles, indicating the reliance of both residents and visitors on cars. The
existing situation underscores a considerable demand for pedestrianised
spaces, emphasizing the necessity for street infrastructure to meet the
needs of the community.
Taking into account the town’s historically significant structures, it is
possible to design a historical loop that offers a tour experience for
exploring the town on foot and by boat through canal tours. The journey
begins at the town center, proceeds through the suggested community
hub, and concludes with a boat tour along the canal, reaching Wigan Pier
for artisan markets and events.
The prospective location to the east of the town center has the potential
to function as an economic and commercial hub. Its proximity to the
A49 motorway, linked to the town, creates an opportunity to contribute
significantly to the town’s economy.
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Arterial & Primary Road
Important Civic buildings
Neighbourhood Hubs
Intervention Sites
Historical Streets
Urban Dead Spaces
The town boasts effective road connectivity with well-linked arterial roads
traversing the city, and historic streets connecting significant heritage
landmarks to the main thoroughfares. Various areas within the town
exhibit urban dead spaces characterized by a lack of activities, presenting
an opportunity for proposing urban street interventions and designing
improved street infrastructure to enhance the overall town experience.
The potential of the two sites can serve as common spaces for surrounding
neighborhoods, providing possibilities for diverse activities such as parks,
recreational areas, artisan markets, commercial spaces, sports hubs, and
heritage canal tours for tourism.
1. The A577
2. Wigan Gateway
3. Cultural Economic Centre
4. Leisure and Community Centre
5. Wigan Centre
6. Rediscovering Wigan Canal
7. Wigan Pier 2.0