Mill Road Urban Regeneration, Cambridge

Working with the local community to gather ideas and feedback for new proposals to create a bio-diverse high street leading from Mill Road and phasing into central Cambridge.

Mill Road is a bustling and diverse area in Cambridge, UK. It is a lively high street that stretches from the city centre to the southeast of the city, and is home to a wide range of independent shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as some larger chain stores. It has a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere, with a mix of cultures and communities living and working in the area.

Forming part of the Cambridge City Council Local Planning Authority, the architecture of Mill Road reflects its diverse history, with a mixture of Victorian terraced houses, modern apartment buildings, and several historic buildings.

To enhance the area and promote sustainable urban living, Inclume proposed a new architectural intervention in the form of a green space urban regeneration that could be implemented on Mill Road. This intervention would involve creating several green spaces along the shopfronts and on the roofscapes that would provide an oasis of nature in the heart of the high street.

The green space would incorporate sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, renewable energy sources, and native plants to encourage biodiversity. It could also serve as a venue for community events, such as festivals and markets, which would bring people together and contribute to the area's lively atmosphere. Integrated within existing shop fronts and restaurants on Mill Road, the outdoor seating areas and planters would enhance the visual appeal of the area, creating a more welcoming environment for pedestrians and cyclists, and encourage people to spend more time on Mill Road.