Yuhao Pan

City Design (MA)

About

Project 1: UnityMemorial
Calais, a French port city. It is an important transportation link between England and France. Every day, a large number of goods and people travel between Britain and France through the Channel between Dover and calais. Because of this special location, immigrants wanting to enter the UK through the European borders almost always came to Calais, waiting to enter the UK. The history of migration in Calais has become part of the history of the port city of Calais.

For the refugees, the process of reaching the European border, entering Europe and then reaching Calais was fraught with danger. Hunger, sickness and harsh living conditions threaten the lives of migrants all the time. A large number of people will die or go missing in the process. Therefore, in order to honor the memory of those who died or disappeared during the process and to express their dissatisfaction with the violence against migrants at the borders, Calais holds a regular annual event called CommemorAction. People who have lost loved ones come together in Calais to honor the souls of those who have lost their lives.

Therefore, this project is designed as a memorial project for CommemorAction. The project collects plastic bags used by immigrants from different countries and cultures, cuts and pastes them to form a large plastic bag surface, and uses helium air to support the plastic bag surface to form a semi-enclosed space. The space is made up of plastic bags from different countries, cultures and beliefs, and on the one hand, it can provide a quiet space for CommemorAction to commemorate the deceased loved ones. It is a place where people can gather to tell each other’s stories and commemorate their loved ones. On the other hand, it also represents that this space is a multicultural space, where people are united and coexist peacefully without any identity constraints, without borders and without wars.

Project 2:100km Water Circle
Due to their geographical proximity to the United Kingdom, the northern French cities of Calais and Dunkirk became temporary residences for European migrants wishing to cross the English Channel to reach the United Kingdom. This situation has led to a complex coexistence relationship between local residents and migrants. Our project aims to address these challenges through the revitalisation of abandoned warehouses along the canals of both cities.

A preliminary investigation of the industrial history of the two cities revealed that the canals were historically important transport routes, and many warehouses were built along them. However, due to the development of train lines and road traffic, these canal-side warehouses have fallen into disuse. Recognising this potential, we propose to develop a new ferry route along the canal to reactivate these warehouses and transform them into important hubs for migrants and coastal settlements.

Currently, migrants in Calais and Dunkirk are living in appalling conditions, with scarce transport, water and accommodation. By linking these depots through a ferry system, we aim to alleviate these problems and provide essential services. Each warehouse will be refurbished with a water filtration system to ensure a reliable supply of clean water. These refurbished warehouses will serve as important locations for providing water, food, temporary shelter, charging stations and medical assistance to refugees.

In addition, the warehouses will provide services that will benefit the neighbouring community and promote harmonious coexistence between migrants and the local population. The versatility of these spaces will encourage interaction and integration, easing tensions and promoting mutual understanding.

Our project will not only meet the immediate needs of migrants, but also contribute to the wider urban environment. The reopening of these warehouses will breathe new life into neglected areas, contributing to economic and social revitalisation. By combining basic services for refugees with community-oriented functions, we aim to create inclusive spaces that benefit both groups. The ferry system will also ensure efficient mobility between the key points of Calais and Dunkirk, facilitating access to basic services for hard-to-reach migrants and reducing the isolation of migrant communities. This transport network is crucial for the sustainability of the project, as it will ensure accessibility of services and simplify travelling between the two cities.

In conclusion, our project envisages a transformative approach to the challenges faced by migrants in Calais and Dunkirk. By revitalising abandoned warehouses along the canals and connecting them through a ferry system, we aim to provide essential services and promote harmonious coexistence. This innovative solution will not only meet the immediate needs of the refugees, but also contribute to the social and economic revitalisation of both cities. By integrating services for migrants and local residents, we hope to create a more inclusive and supportive urban environment.

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