Bognor by the Sea

Bognor is situated on the south coast of England. A town of 65,000 people it is a place with a number of dislocated communities. Self contained systems exist creating towns within a town. Exploring Bognor as an organism will help my understanding of what flows in and out of the town and activates the communities. As mentioned earlier on this blog Butlin's holiday camp will be a focal point for my continued research into possible future scenarios for the town. Like the Vatican or the Kremlin it has distinct boundaries and a number of separation devices are utilised to maintain autonomy. Walls, money, tickets, windows and gates are some examples that should be understood when thinking about the towns relationship with Butlin's.

Two photographs show the frontage the holiday resort has with the town. A car park lines the beach front and public promenade.

Butlin's An Abrupt Dislocation

As I explained before I will be using my final weeks here in Seoul to test reconnecting strategies through a gift project. Bognor Regis has many issues, but I hope to apply a strategy that looks to forge a better physical and psychological connection with the Sea. A masterplanning exercise that looks to bring the 'Beach' to the town will form the first part of my work when I arrive back. Butlin's holiday resort will be also be a area I will focus on. As explained in an earlier post...

Butlin's has long been an isolated 'city' within the town, a self contained community. Permeating Butlins' hard barrier will create a connection with the town. The potential of the southern boundary shared with the promenade has been neglected by the resort. Its metal spiked fence implies a negative relationship with the beach and the town. 

The resort is located in the centre of the town and form stronger connections with its context. The map shows the resorts location and size within the town. It is a small self sufficient city. A key strategy is to explore the blurring of the boundary the resort has with the town and the promenade. Blending the urban with the natural can allow economic, spatial and healthy reconnections.

Butlin's bleeds with the town