News from Barking & Dagenham – June 2023
Highest praise: “best in England
Building permits and conversion plans are processed faster in Barking and Dagenham than in any other municipality in England. This is not just a question of the many large projects in our twin town, but the responsible ministry expressly praises the fact that decisions on small projects are also made promptly. This can also be expressed in figures: A decision is made on 96 percent of all applications within eight weeks.
Prize for “A House for Artists“
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has honoured the administration of our twin city as the “Client of the Year”. It is about the “Künstlerhaus”, an offer with twelve affordable studios for creative people. The architects of the firm “Apparatas” also received a regional prize for their design.
The twelve artists who live in the house with their families are supposed to do something for the reduced rent. They offer workshops, exhibitions, make offers in the schools. The citizens of the city are invited to participate in art activities.
The award has not yet reached the highest level; the project can still be awarded a prize in the national competition.
Growing town attracts visitors: bus tours
The fact that Barking and Dagenham is changing at a rapid pace has obviously appealed. The points where the change can be experienced have become tourist attractions that draw groups of visitors. Now the consequence has been drawn: there are bus tours that lead to the new film studios and introduce the huge Riverside development area. The new transport connections are also presented: Elizabeth Line, Overground to the Thames and finally the boat link on the Thames. The newly developed artists’ quarters are also part of the sights.
