Clerkenwell
About the Client
Islington Council has an excellent track record of people-friendly streets interventions, including a low-traffic neighbourhood centred on Clerkenwell Green – the heart of an area packed with history that lies adjacent to the City of London.
The Brief
Following the initiative of ward councillors for the area, Islington wanted a walking map to promote Clerkenwell as a destination to visitors. It needed to showcase the area’s rich history, its wealth of cultural institutions, and its tradition of radicalism and innovation.
Our Approach
Our starting point for this project, both in terms of mapping and content, was a group of local institutions that collectively make up the Radical Clerkenwell Group. We adapted our mapping style to give these location more prominence, and added a ‘sidebar’ listing them alongside the map. We also consulted them in creating the content, and relied on them as distribution points for printed maps. Having forged these relationships, we are currently in discussion with some of them about repurposing Footways mapping for their own customers.
As an area just outside the City of London, Clerkenwell’s fascinating history is tied up with its role as an overflow of unwanted people and activities from its tightly regulated neighbour. We delved into this history with our content, and reflected its unruly dynamism in our design. As the home of the original gastropub, our Clerkenwell map needed a section devoted to food and drink. We also opened up the area for walkers by highlighting the section of the long-distance Green Link Walk that passes through it.
“[quote to come]”