Landguard Commons: Zoning Out

In response to the creation of the Freeport East Special Economic Zone, a trade and business designation devised by the Conservative party following Brexit, this project speculates on what a new form of public space in this highly charged political landscape. The design embraces ecosystem innovation to mitigate the effects of climate change and reveals the potential to activate a more local economy on the Landguard Nature Reserve. A restored commons that is productive, radical, and resilient will prevent humans and non-humans from being excluded from the new economic zone.

The proposal registers a new official commons on the land owned by East Suffolk Council. The design includes a commons council that will manage the commons and a charity that will organise farming operations and construction. Strategic excavations will serve to establish a brackish salt marsh to boost local biodiversity and help protect the site from erosion and storm surge. Reed cultivation will provide a source of thatch material to be used in the construction of new built structures. Kelp foresting will further provide coastal protection as well as a source of food, medicine, material for stabilising the coastal commons.