Ambitious ideas form basis of new Bay project
IT WAS once one of the world’s busiest ports and now has a totally new look as a home to pubs, restaurants and cultural attractions.
But a technology firm wants to combine Cardiff Bay’s history with its future in a very 21st century way. A list of ambitious ideas have been dreamt up over a six-month project by a team of innovators.
Their ideas include a free phonebox on either side of the barrage for strangers to chat to each other, augmented reality binoculars revealing the history and future of the bay and “smart surfaces” that would display information such as the water quality of the bay and the weather forecast.
Called “Idea-scape Porth Teigr”, the project is an example of “digital placemaking” – a way of improving an area by technology and making it a more vibrant, interesting place to live or visit.
Led by Bristol-based placemaking and technology firm Calvium, the six-month project culminated in an “interactive evening” last week that saw a number of prototypes of ideas demonstrated and the ideas discussed with members of the public.
Jo Reid, managing director of Calvium, said the project was “very exciting”, and that the items were discussed with hundreds of passersby at the event on September 19, as well as giving people the opportunity to use the Porth Teigr app. She was cautious about revealing when the ideas could come to fruition, but said some could be “within a year” of being reality.
The ideas include a free telephone box on both sides of the barrage called “Teleconfusion”. It would mean random visitors could connect despite not meeting or knowing who they are.
The augmented reality sightseeing binoculars would allow people to see into the past and future of the area.
It would show how the site has changed from a busy port to social area and what it may look like into the future.
Smart screens could be built around items like railings to show information such as the water quality and the weather forecast for the day ahead.
Interactive water fountains and digital town criers – plugging offers from local businesses – are also proposed.
A story-telling audio app called Porth Teigr Trail is also proposed.
It would include historical tales but also work being done by charities like Pedal Power.
Historical objects would be placed around the Bay with a digital element.
Ms Reid said: “The desire was to understand and make Cardiff Bay a more livable, enjoyable and meaningful space.
“A lot of these ideas cannot be done by one company alone so we made a collaboration.
“What’s come out of this is hugely exciting, and we received really good feedback at the interactive evening last week.
“It was lovely to shake things up and see things emerging.
“I would love to see Cardiff Bay become distinctive in placemaking and taking the lead in some ideas particular to that area. We are very optimistic about the future.”
The six-month research project was supported by a number of organisations including the Porth Teigr Community Fund, Cardiff Bay regenerator programme igloo and Cardiff Council.
Ms Reid said this was the “first stage”, and that now a report will be written on the findings of the interactive evening, before further options for investment are explored.
She was cautious about giving time frames for how long it would take for any of the ideas to come to fruition, but said: “I think within a year is possible, and for some, shorter than that might be possible.”