EBBSFLEET BLUE LAKE ECOLOGY PARK

The Ebbsfleet Chakl Walk Ecology Park Project was produced as a finalist design following shortlisting of the original Chalk Walk masterplan for the Ebbsfleet Healthy Garden City Ideas Competition. 

The project was undertaken in collaboration with Architect Ryan Szanyi and with input from local conservation charities Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust. An ecological park is proposed, with a mosaic of habitat types utilising the unique man-made geology and site hydrology of the former quarry site, united by a series of looping walkways

Isometric view of the Brackish Water

Bringing together people and nature

Encouraging people to engage with nature is proposed to be the most successful means of encouraging a more active healthy lifestyle in Ebbsfleet; be it cycling alongside a lake, fishing, birdwatching, swimming or kayaking out to floating islands. This would be targeted both at existing groups such as the Kent Thameside Works Angling & Preservation Society, local community garden organisations and birdwatching clubs in the area; but would also aim to inspire an interest in nature for new and existing residents and attract international visitors to Ebbsfleet.

Connecting communities

The chalk walk is conceived as a continuous 5km loop route connecting new and existing communities across Ebbsfleet. It would be delivered in advance of the majority of development, and would allow pedestrians the opportunity to explore development sites as they are developed. The Chalk Walk route utilises the man-made chalk cliffs and escarpments and as such the Blue Lake chalk walk is envisaged as a pilot project - the first phase of a longer route.  

More can be found on the original masterplan proposals here: https://mh-studio.co.uk/work#/ebbsfleetchalkwalk/

A modern garden city

The original Garden Cities were linked inextricably to the Arts and Crafts movement, with human craft and artfulness in harmony with nature. The proposals seek to update the Arts and Crafts ideals to a digital 21st Century context, combining the properties of chalk stone with the talents of local artists, makers and industries in order to create a character unique to Ebbsfleet. The locally-derived portland concrete would be used to create a  range of furniture, habitat and cultural elements designed in harmony with one another. The repeating honeycomb motif is inspired by the natural forms:- a demonstration of efficiency, adaptability and ability to repeat or combine. The primary aim of the garden city is to encourage a reconnection with nature and a promotion of an outdoor healthy lifestyle, with the opportunity to bring together previously disparate communities.

ECOLOGY & HYDROLOGY

The Blue Lake boasts a unique hydrology, fed in part by aquifer but with seeping water from the Thames Estuary. This creates a partially-saline water type, known as Brackish water. Such conditions are relatively rare in the UK and are capable of supporting a unique range wildlife, including notable rare & endangered species. Landforming is proposed to form a series of lagoons, marshes, rockpools, reed beds and salt pans of varying water depth and salinity; thus enabling a mosaic of rare habitat types to emerge.

The Blue Lake Chalk Walk adapts seasonally to changes in water level in order to create a resilient landscape with opportunities for specialist ecology types. As part of the wider Ebbsfleet development the Blue Lake would accept rainwater runoff from neighbouring development, in order to avoid flooding and reduce impact on the drainage system. The scheme assumes a seasonal fluctuation in water level of up to 1m in a normal year and up to 2m in an extreme (1in100 year) rainfall.
Fluctuating water levels form a key component of the habitats created, and help create an environment that transforms throughout the year. During parts of the year, some pedestrian routes may flood, and in such cases alternative raised routes are provided either carved into the cliff or via floating jetty walkways.