Why I like Elephant & Castle

Here's a video about why I like Elephant & Castle - London's south-east hub. It doesn't have the best reputation, but if you haven't been recently you might be quite surprised by how it looks nowadays! In this video, I take you through the area's history and celebrate some of its lesser-known parts, the regeneration transforming the area, and the controversy surrounding the erasure of the former Heygate Estate. In this video I explain why I think the regeneration has improved the area from an architecture and urban planning perspective. There's a strong sense of placemaking, and retention of mature trees left over from the former Heygate Estate make the park feel like it's always been a part of the neighbourhood.

This is my first YouTube video! It's not perfect but I'm proud of it and I've learned a lot along the way. I can't wait to start my next video, but before I do I'd be really grateful if anyone has any comments or feedback as this will really help me going forward.

Image at 03:57 is courtesy of Zefrog via Wikipedia.

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - History
01:40 - Post-war redevelopment
01:57 - Heygate Estate
04:04 - Elephant Park
06:12 - Sayer Street & Walworth Square
07:35 - Rodney Road
07:56 - Rain Gardens
08:48 - Historic areas
09:13 - Elephant & Castle shopping centre
11:20 - Conclusion and grovel

[doctorwho]

I have to say, I'm slightly disappointed that this is the only video on your channel! I thoroughly enjoyed it, I hope there will be more to come!

[samlee]

As a kid, Elephant and Castle was considered a rough area, now its looks like one of the nicest areas in London. Its central London location was always going to work in its favour at some point.

[ed_squig]

There is a great deal of negativity when it comes to modern developments and architecture. It is super refreshing to see someone talking about a successful and extremly pretty developmnent. I look forward to seeing more from this channel.

[samueltaylor]

If this is what being new to making YouTube videos looks like, I think this channel has a really bright future

[harryisonyoutube]

Great video! Lovely to see this kind of urban planning analysis done by Londoners on their local area

[footyball]

London has really improved over the last 10 or 20 years. Nine Elms/Battersea, Elephant & Castle, Wembley, Stratford, Kings Cross - all have changed massively for the better.

[jamhot]

My Nan and grandad lived on heygate, left in the early 90s… it was rough and dirty I remember it well but I never thought it was that bad but I was a child… gotta be 20 years since I was in the elephant tho I’m. In and out of London a lot - wonderful to see this really mate… wonderful to see the regen 😌❤️

[jal]

Really enjoyed the video. As others have commented it's great to have an insight into what living in the area is actually like combined with a knowledge about architecture and urban planning, plus get a good account of its historical background.
Also, very refreshing to watch a positive take on a project that isn't just a promotion by the developers - or one that's complaining about gentrification or something else negative. Definitely please do more videos like this!

[iJoxy]

I’m renting in the new development in Elephant and Castle and also really like it here. Brilliant transport links, rent is not that bad for what you get, the development is clean, looks nice and actually has a decent community feel.

[theinternetiseatingitself]

Just to add to all the other positive comments, this is an amazing first video. Nice to see a positive take on E&C as there’s been some understandable cynicism around it. Looking forward to more!

[MrsWilsonDotDotDot]

This video wasn't what I expected when I initially clicked on it but I throughly enjoyed watching it. I went to Southbank Uni so became very familiar with the area back in the early 90s and it's changed so much, but I didn't realise just how much (despite now driving through the area every week) until I watched this video. I've subscribed and look forward to the next one! Expertly filmed great voiceover and not too long. Thank you!

[marcamorello]

As a New Yorker I wish we had more pedestrianized spaces for children that aren’t parks. It’s not that common across the city. This project is a master class in urban design!

[frankfrantisek]

I work in E&C and absolutely love this transformation. I used to avoid it and now I really enjoy being around there. Just found your channel today Ed and I am totally with you. I am a city creature myself and love going around and figuring out how areas work from the urban and architectural point of view. When I talk to people about these observations, they never seem to realise how architecture, urbanism and aesthetics navigate and influence human behaviour. Love that you're doing this channel. Subscribed.

[shmatts]

Great video! I had no idea of this re-development, very much enjoyed your detailing of things like the rain gardens and other small features, as well as comparing the old and new shopping centre. I look forward to other areas you'll feature! Have to say, seeing re-developments like this bring me such optimism, thank you

[Legomastermine]

I appreciate how thorough this video is in regards to the public realm but you've completely the really important aspect of the re-development, which is the huge dispacement and gentrification that this development has created. Flats here go for an obscene amount of money that is not accessible to most londoners

[PEIXAO]

I lived at Metro Central Height for two years from 2021 to 2023, and Elephant Park was an oasis on green in the area. With nice restaurants. The grass can be quite busy in warm days. But good place to be. Only down side is the noisy from the road and ambulances.

[nevi]

Love the video! Will be watching more when they come out. Education about our cities, what they were and how they became what they are now, is so important. We mustn’t lose touch with the past!

[brianwooton]

Wow. Another great video. In college, some of my best friends were architecture students, and you are showing why that was. Keep up the great work.

[yourlocalcryptid]

I couldn't believe that this was your first video! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope to see more in the future 😊

[stevenkeller]

That was very well done. I look forward to more of your videos. Next time I'm in the UK/London I'd love to check-out the Elephant & Castle neighborhood.