Wilding

Major cities around the world are facing increased challenges in creating natural spaces that thrive and live alongside heavily populated areas. A prominent factor in this is the practice of designing urban parks situated away from work-centred and pedestrianised areas, such as Oxford Street. A commercial street that accommodates half a million people daily should, in our opinion, showcase and promote social welfare.

Our proposal centres on the concept of ‘wilding,’ a philosophy that allows nature to reclaim its space within the urban realm. We’ve designed a series of elevated pathways that facilitates interaction between the city’s inhabitants and the natural world. These pathways serve as a means for harmonious coexistence, enabling people to navigate through and above nature's domain, rather than displacing it entirely.

Having raised gardens will not only introduce natural elements into the built environment, but also reinstate biodiversity, provide a habitat for a variety of species, and promote a sustainable source of clean air quality. Moreover, it will encourage positive moods and reduce stress and anxiety levels – crucial in a work-driven city such as London. The pedestrians of Oxford Street will emerge from a subterranean carbon-choked world into one that is radiant and rejuvenated.