In order to propose a new civic space in Stretford, we had to understand more about this place. Therefore, my team and I participated in an event where we created an interactive survey to get opinions and ideas of the area. Although the number of people we surveyed were quite small but we believe it is a good enough sample to analyse what they feel about the small town they reside in. Finally, the data accumulated will give me some ideas of what is needed and favored in this town.
The Event
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My Findings
Before knowing what Stretford has to offer to the public, we first had to analyse what do the locals like to do during their free time. We decided to break it down into 4 different age groups in order to find out what do each groups like to do most or least during their past times. After that, we asked them what they think about Stretford's facilities, and through this, we can truly see whether Stretford satisfies the needs and wants of their community.
After a few conversations with the locals, we realize that although Stretford managed to satisfy the needs of those who enjoy nature by providing them a few parks and volunteering garden activities, we noticed there were are quite a lot of negative feedback on the dining experience and social spaces in the town. Here are some of what the locals had said!
"It would be great to have a place where people can be part of something big like a community kitchen, food market or art market!"
"There is not much going on, especially night time! I believe it would be better if there are more independent cafes, bars and restaurants."
"Stretford has poor offer of proper bars and restaurants. I have to travel out of Stretford like Chorlton, Altrincham and Manchester to have more options!"
"I would like to have more places where people can socialize more like having more bars or restaurants and art spaces!"
"More cafe, bars and restaurants so that family can eat together ... other than Mcdonalds and late night foods!"
"Stretford should have more place where friends and families can bond and have fun together!"
Also, when it comes to eating healthily like having 5+ portions of fruits and vegetables a day, only 26% of Stretford locals do that. This finding is based on the Trafford public health report, and this explains the amount of fast food restaurants in Stretford.
The other interesting fact that popped up from the report is that Stretford has a higher than the UK average in colon cancer. Colon cancer is highly linked to unhealthy eating habits and the people of Stretford has to be aware of this more.
The proposal
What kind of restaurants do Stretford have?
OVERALL
From my research, I noticed there were quite a few restaurants but the locals didn't really like what was given and wanted more better quality and healthy ones. Generally, Stretford's restaurants are mainly fast foods, kebabs, late night bits and food take outs. Although these options may taste good but in a long term, it's unhealthy and people will get lazy on eating well and properly.
After understanding what do the people of Stretford want, I decided to propose a community's restaurant. This restaurant will be a new form of dining experience where the locals not only have more variety of food to enjoy but it is also a space for the community to get involved in the whole process of food making till presentation. This means the locals can grow their own fruits and vegetables, then cook them and later get involved in the art of food presentation through ceramics and pottery. It is a building built for the locals to take part in solving their restaurant issues and also a space to educate them to know more about how food is made and served. Ultimately, it is a space to allow the customers to question and appreciate their food even more instead of just blindly eating them, only because they taste good.
1) GROWING - GARDENING
There will be spaces to allow the locals to grow fruits and vegetables, ensuring the ingredients are freshly and locally made.
2) COOKING - KITCHEN STALLS
Later, the food grown will be used by the cooks in the kitchen space. In this space, the kitchen will have the same setting as market stalls and the cooks for each stall changes too, ensuring a variety of food is served to the public.
3) PRESENT - POTTERY
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Since, my building shows the whole process of food preparation, the plates used to present the food is as equally important as the previous stages. This is because, based on researchers, the type of shape, color and texture of the plates do play a big role in the taste perception and food eating experience. Therefore, there will also be a ceramic space for the locals to make plates and pots for the restaurant as well as the public!
4) DINING - ALL LOCAL
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In the end, when the locals get their food, they would know that what is served to them are all locally and properly made. Ultimately, it is a space that produced high quality and healthy food, which is one of the main things the people of Stretford really want.
The spaces
