Vertical Examination of Residential Patterns in Whitechapel

Abstract

The bottom-up micro-resolution research of Whitechapel recognises real dynamic processes operating as a generator to vertical micro-integration. This study has found that despite Whitechapel’s appearance as a patchwork of a cultural mosaic, economic activity and class relations, there is also a strong but latent vertical inner order. This vertical differentiation mechanism is based on identity and groups’ affiliation and is recognised, adjusted to and obeyed by residents of all groups. This research provides two new concepts to the database of design integration of absorption neighbourhoods. The first is the micro-resolution of the procedure of creation of the vertical pattern at the individual building level, and the second is ‘vertical micro integration’; an idea describing bottom-up initiation of minorities groups to create ‘semi-private’–‘semi-public’ community space, by which they can integrate with other groups in a compact urban area.