Chéng
Cànyáng
Here to explore the complexities of urban environments, tell stories through spatial design, and capture moments through visual media.
Chéng
Here to explore the complexities of urban environments, tell stories through spatial design, and capture moments through visual media.
Reexamine Trinity Square Gardens
Research Project
38 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4DJ
September-December 2022
Trinity Square Gardens, located in Tower Hill north of the Tower of London, was first established around 1797. Initially, it was created by the Corporation of Trinity House for the private use of property owners and subscribers, not the public. However, under the 1906 Public Open Spaces Act, the garden was opened to the publicOriginally a well-maintained village green, it fell into disrepair during the 1940s due to the impact of World War II, becoming neglected and unsafe. The shift from a private to a more public space was necessary after the war to adapt to the changing urban environment. A key turning point came in 1973 when Stepney Borough Council proposed removing the garden's railings, symbolizing the shift toward a more open and accessible public space. By this time, Trinity Square Gardens had largely recovered from wartime damage and continued its development as a high-quality public green space, shaping it into the form we see today.
Drawing on archival materials from the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) and the British Library, a clear historical pattern of Trinity Square Gardens has emerged. Trinity Square Gardens offers a fascinating case study in the evolution of open public spaces in urban environments. Originally created in 1797 on the site of the Tower Hill scaffold, it began as a village green exclusively for property owners in Trinity Square. Over time, it has undergone a remarkable transformation, ultimately becoming an award-winning public garden. This project chronicles that transformation from private to public space through meticulous archival research, presenting the history of the garden in a chronological order. The phases explored include its initial construction, periods of decline, subsequent reformation, and its present-day status as a cherished public space.
The garden’s development is not just a story of physical change but also a reflection of larger social and historical forces. It is uniquely situated both geographically and historically—initially conceived as a green space for improving the residential environment of the Tower Hill area, it evolved into a public amenity. This transformation mirrors the broader shift in London’s urban landscape, where private spaces increasingly became open to the public in response to changing societal needs and values. Trinity Square Gardens exemplifies this transition, offering a window into the urban planning and social dynamics that have shaped London over the centuries.
Moreover, this project seeks to place the history of Trinity Square Gardens within a wider context, linking it to broader trends in urban development, public space policy, and social change. While Trinity Square Gardens is distinctive, its transformation follows patterns seen in other open spaces in London and beyond. By analyzing this specific case in relation to wider societal and historical developments, the project aims to draw out lessons and insights that are applicable to other urban contexts.
Ultimately, this research not only deepens our understanding of the historical significance of Trinity Square Gardens but also highlights the broader importance of public spaces in fostering social interaction, cultural exchange, and community cohesion. The findings could help inform future urban planning efforts, emphasizing the value of preserving and revitalizing open public spaces as vital components of the urban fabric.
Field by Urban Research Archival Research