'thames hub vision' by foster + partners, britain
image © foster + partners


understanding the transportation challenges facing britain, london-based practice foster + partners, have collaborated with
consulting firms halcrow (international) and volterra (UK) for a self-funded study producing the 'thames hub vision', a detailed
report that uses scale and strategic cross-sector thinking to design an integrated infrastructure network. the masterplan proposes
to replace the existing thames barrier with a new crossing that will extend london's protection from floods into the 22nd century.
it will mitigate the capital from rising storm levels, free up vital land for development and harness tidal power to generate
carbon-free energy.

building on existing transportation lines to the north, east and west of london 'the hub' will avoid future congestion into the city.
an orbital rail system with a four-track, high-speed passenger and freight route will link london's current radial lines, with a
future high-speed rail line to the midlands and the north, the thames estuary ports, high speed 1, and european networks.
by minimizing the developmental impact the environmental strategy aims to provides new wildlife habitats landscaped within
the spine.



site plan of hub and networks
image © foster + partners


the new estuary airport will be capable of handling 150 passengers a year, allowing the UK to retain its global aviation hub status.
the airport is integrated within a logistics matrix that connects the surrounding ports by rail. exploiting railway construction allows
for the bundling of utilities into a single corridor delivering the world's first national smart distribution network. improving the
connectivity between the north and south of england will open new trade advancement for the UK to the europe.



the spine connects UK’s existing ports and future rail networks
image © foster + partners


'if we are to establish a modern transport and energy infrastructure in britain for this century and beyond,
we need to recapture the foresight and political courage of our 19th century forebears and draw on our
traditions of engineering, design and landscape.' - lord foster, founder and chairman of foster + partner

see designboom's previous article 'the thames hub'



new international rail station directly linked into the hub airport
image © foster + partners



new thames barrier crossing integrating connection, protection and generation
image © foster + partners



integrated utilities within the lines using landscaping in the tradition of the 18th century ha-ha
image © foster + partners



integration of hydropower generators within the new flood barrier
image © foster + partners



ports and freight routes via orbital rail and logistics matrix 
image © foster + partners



infrastructure network that runs from north to south 
image © foster + partners



main components of the thames hub 
image © foster + partners



new london orbital rail linking high speed and radial rail routes 
image © foster + partners



existing and proposed flood protected land
image © foster + partners



proposed hub airport and ground access
image © foster + partners

video © foster + partners