Transport infrastructure as a catalyst for development

Poplar Station is one of the original Docklands Light Railway stations and opened in 1987 as part of the 14 kilometre first phase, which was built in three years at a modest cost of £77 million, including rolling stock.  The original stations were designed very simply as a ‘kit-of-parts’ plugged onto a somewhat basic elevated viaduct structure.  The station entrance and concourse below the viaduct were a utilitarian, engineered space and surveys confirmed that their unwelcoming nature served as a major deterrent, particularly at night.  The rapid regeneration of Docklands and neighbouring areas far exceeded the scale originally envisaged.

The urban design study identified how the station concourse could be rationalised, removing surplus space and remodelling the functional arrangement.  A series of improvements was proposed including the installation of lighting, new finishes throughout, an entrance canopy and secure bicycle lockers.

The objectives of reducing the negative aspects of security elements and creating an attractive environment to counteract poor perceptions and barriers to DLR usage were proposed for the surrounding context through a series of projects identified to improve public space, inject new activity and more visually stimulating architectural forms.