Cowes on the Isle of Wight, famous for its annual yachting regatta, is already subject to sea flooding in low lying areas of the town.

This masterplan study appraises a future resilience strategy in response to further sea level rises which develops a proposal enhancing and improving the town while locally raising the urban topography upwards and above flood risk levels (based on precedents established by the catacombs in Rome and Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh).

Masterplan Study by: –

Athira Chandran, Hanna Furey,

Helena Kranic, Tom Nock and Jacob Majerczak

The town centre strategy was developed forward in detail with a proposal illustrating how those area’s currently most vulnerable to sea flooding might be redeveloped to offer improved facilities for yachting, visitors, public amenities and an educational institute, while retaining commercial activities, respecting the towns distinct urban fabric and grain, and providing future climate change resilience.

The high street is locally raised by a storey, a frontage development having waterside public and commercial activities is raised on and above the existing towns foundational structures, and a continuous seaside promenade is located at roof level providing an amphitheatre overlooking the Solent and offering clear viewing of the maritime activities –

as a recommendation for enhancing the towns resilience and economy into the future.

Report by: –

Tom Nock

Design research supervisors: –

Walter Menteth and Francis Graves