Landscape Masterplanning & Design | Public Realm

Swanscombe Gorge Park, EbbsfleetEbbsfleet Garden City Landscape Design Ideas Competition Shortlist

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CBA took part in an international design competition launched by the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and NHS England to find creative and inspiring ideas for transforming Ebbsfleet’s post-industrial landscapes into the first new Garden City of the 21st Century. EGC is the largest of 10 Healthy New Town pilots in the UK.

The site, Craylands Gorge, is an artificial ravine created to run a tram between the Eastern Chalk Quarry and the Swanscombe Peninsula cement works. Currently overgrown and disused, it will become a commuter route for office/London Resort workers and a healthy atmospheric escape from urban life as Ebbsfleet expands . The Park’s design was inspired by the geological story of chalk and the quarrying heritage; the tramway’s tunnels cut into the chalk symbolising portals to another place, realm or time; and the local folklore associated with ‘deneholes’ (medieval chalk extraction pits used to conceal people and illicit goods). Features included subterranean exploration of caves behind a hydro-electric powered waterfall and tree-top zip wires and lookout towers; the growing of healthy food in hanging gardens; prehistoric augmented reality interpretation, integral play throughout and nature trails.

LocationUK

ClientEbbsfleet Development CorporationNHS England

CollaboratorsBuro Happold EngineersProctor & Matthews ArchitectsFourth Street Destination Consultants

BudgetConfidential

Period2018

ServicesLandscape Masterplanning

Websitewww.cbastudios.com