YEAR IN REVIEW 2022
―
2022 started with hope. Emerging from the pandemic we were seeing a new willingness to experiment with reconfiguration of public realm to prioritise social value and inclusion, our long-term projects were about to be realised, and the Elizabeth Line would finally open. However, the cost-of-living crisis and economic instability, and the reality of enduring and rising inequality, underlined how it is more important than ever to ensure that urban development prioritises an inclusive and sustainable future.
We launched our campaign delivering practical tools to address violence against women and girls in the built environment, through our Community Interest Company. The overwhelming support has given us cause for optimism, and we look forward to making real advances next year.
We have been delighted to see the results of over a decade of collaboration on major projects and to be leading new work on social value and placemaking. From university and biomedical science masterplans, to re-imaging streets and spaces across London, and research that informs Mayoral policy, Publica is proud to be tackling innovative and ever-more inclusive approaches to urban growth. We are continuously learning from collaborators and communities and wanted to share with you some of what we have been doing.
We look forward to working with you in 2023.
Prioritising Social Value / Completion of Major Projects / Community Interest Company / Right to the Streets, Manchester / Safety in Public Space / 24 Hour London / Sounds of Wandsworth / Society of London Theatre / HoLBA Arts Quarter / Mapping Newham / Newham Cultural Strategy / Gibraltar / Walthamstow / Draycott Avenue / Eccleston Yards / Talks and Panels / The Publica Team
· 2 of 17 ·
COMPLETION OF MAJOR PROJECTS
―
In October the Elizabeth Line Bond Street station opened, marking the completion of the transformation of Hanover Square and over a decade of our design work, delivery and collaboration. Our involvement with Hanover started when we joined Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands team for the over-station development, working on a new public space Medici Courtyard, with links from Hanover Square to Tenterden and New Bond Street. This led to us developing concept design proposals for the square itself, supported by GPE and later adopted and delivered with WSP, FMC and NRP for Westminster City Council.
The design celebrates the square’s intrinsic character by revealing historic vistas and elevating its civic identity. It increases pedestrian space, fully pedestrianising the west side, and has brought the gardens back to life with new landscape, lighting, railings, water features and seating, with a new layout that elevates the experience of being in the square and moving through its adjoining streets. The renewed public use of this space is one of the biggest highlights of our year.
This month, we celebrated with Northbank and WCC the opening of the Strand Aldwych. The redevelopment and extensive co-design process led by Westminster has brought together over 70 stakeholders, revitalising one of London’s most congested streets into a dynamic and inviting thoroughfare. We’re proud to have contributed to this wonderful project with the development of the public realm study, vision and strategy, and detailed project brief for the Northbank District.
· 3 of 17 ·
PUBLICA'S
Community interest company
―
This year, Publica’s CIC launched our new campaign to address violence against women, girls and gender diverse people. We’re working to improve access to knowledge and expertise, foster innovative and creative ideas, and help implement new projects. London’s urban development sector has united behind us – supporting our work to deliver practical tools that address violence against women and girls in the build environment.
We are driven by a desire to critically rethink how and why we deliver public space. We want to strengthen our sector and community-led initiatives to help tackle the biggest challenges in our cities. Working alongside a range of policy makers, local authorities, private sector representatives and grassroots groups, it’s clear to us that the ambition to meet these challenges exists. We are excited to have already worked with the GLA, Avon and Somerset Police, and Greater Manchester Moving.
With thanks to our supporters:
Bloomberg Philanthropies / The Portman Estate / Primera / Grosvenor / The Howard De Walden Estate / Almacantar / Helical / Great Portland Estates / The New West End Company / Shaftesbury / Heart of London Business Alliance / The Northbank / Fleet Street Quarter / EC BID / London Heritage Quarter/ Central District Alliance / Cheapside Bid / Aldgate Connect / Hatton Garden
· 4 of 17 ·
RIGHT TO THE STREETS, MANCHESTER
―
We are working with Greater Manchester Moving on a Home Office funded ‘Safer Streets’ project called Right to the Streets, with Trafford Council, Open Data Manchester and local stakeholder groups. The project will help enable active travel and active lives for women and girls in Trafford.
Publica was commissioned to create a literature review on gender inclusive public spaces. We chose to present our findings in the form of information postcards – which can be used as starting points for discussion, reflection, and action.
The postcards will help equip designers, planners, policy makers and the wider community with in-depth knowledge to better understand public space through a gender lens.
· 5 of 17 ·
SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACE
―
Earlier this year, we were commissioned by the Mayor London’s Good Growth by Design Programme to write a report underscoring London’s commitment to advancing gender equity and proposing tangible actions for public space projects. This as a call to action to actively include women, girls and gender diverse people’s experiences, needs and realities in all stages of the design process.
Safety in Public Space: Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People was published in November. It forms the first phase of a larger programme of work to support and guide the design sector, test and trial design and engagement approaches and evaluate and collect data across London.
As 2022 draws to a close, we are proud to have been appointed to the second phase of project, to test the methodology developed in our research on 10 practical projects across London. We hope this will continue to provide the evidence and inspiration our sector needs to put women, girls and gender diverse people at the heart of development.
· 6 of 17 ·
24 HOUR LONDON
―
The character and activities of places between 6pm and 6am are a crucial part of the vitality of neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods at night are shaped by social and cultural infrastructures, public realm design, transport networks, highways, and kerbside strategies, and complex ecologies of land uses and services.
As part of the Greater London Authority’s ongoing campaign for a 24-hour London, Publica and Didobi are delivering one-to-one support to boroughs looking to develop, and already working on, evening and night-time strategies. We have been working with the GLA and Night Czar Amy Lamé on night surgeries in Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Richmond, Camden, Westminster, Lambeth, Merton and Hackney,
We have enjoyed working with Heart of London Business Alliance on an Evening and Night Time Economy strategy for the area, which will be launching early in the new year.
· 7 of 17 ·
SOUNDS OF WANDSWORTH
―
Wandsworth Council is pioneering one of the first holistic borough-wide night time strategies in London, to develop inclusive policies to support the diversity of life in Wandsworth at night. This autumn, we have been working with community members to capture the sounds of people’s everyday lives in Wandsworth at night.
Sounds tell us about the 24-hour cycle of the city and the social and physical infrastructures that shape our everyday lives. From the sounds of waste collection and food deliveries to hospital waiting rooms and bus depots, faith congregations or social events, our nocturnal soundscapes reveal the extensive processes, diverse workforces and complex logistics that keep our cities running.
The project draws attention to the diversity of people’s night times. It reminds policymakers to think of the details that make a nocturnal city something that is not just passed through but is felt, heard, and sensed viscerally.
· 8 of 17 ·
sOCIETY OF LONDON THEATRE
―
In February, we published our report Securing the Future of London’s Theatres, for the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). Our study is a call to action for early engagement and collaboration between theatre operators and those responsible for planning, designing, activating and operating London’s public realm and land uses.
Publica’s research recognises the significant role that theatres play in the local 24-hour economy, and acknowledges how the industry has been impacted by the pandemic and our exit from the EU. Without active engagement and collaboration with theatre operators, London is at risk of losing these internationally renowned and valuable assets. Read the full report here.
· 9 of 17 ·
HOLBA ARTS QUARTER
―
A network of small and characterful streets connect the world-famous destinations of Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly and Haymarket. Appointed by the Heart of London Business Alliance (HoLBA), Publica has been working with Futurecity to reimagine the area as an Arts Quarter. More than just connectors, the streets will act as space for the wide range of artistic expression generated by the quarter’s theatre, film, visual arts, fashion and retail, and its cultural anchor institutions.
We have been collaborating with local stakeholders, to propose an overarching identity, cultural placemaking opportunities, and public realm and transport design proposals. Click here to see HoLBA’s film about the project.
· 10 of 17 ·
MAPPING NEWHAM:
COMMUNITY FACILITIES NEEDS ASSESSMENT
―
In March, we were appointed by the London Borough of Newham for a Community Facilities Needs Assessment, to provide an evidence base and set of recommendations to inform the Newham Local Plan.
We mapped community facilities across the borough’s neighbourhoods to understand deficiencies and potential future requirements, mapping a 15-minute walking distance from each facility to understand how the location and type of community facilities can support the council’s ambition to develop a network of 15-minute neighbourhoods across the borough.
We experimented with new types of mapping, integrating primary research and GIS data – interviewing facility owners, operators and tenants to understand their requirements and inform design guidelines for new social infrastructure.
· 11 of 17 ·
BUILDING NEWHAM'S CREATIVE FUTURE
―
We have been working with Newham Council to create a dynamic cultural strategy. This March, we set out a visionary 15-year plan on how the local creative and cultural industries can contribute to Newham’s community wealth building agenda.
Our research utilised extensive community engagement, mapping, and research to articulate culture’s contribution to inclusive regeneration and local growth. We worked with 1,200 residents: children and young people, creative practitioners, cultural organisations, educational institutions, and strategic stakeholders. Together they helped explore the leading role culture can play in Newham’s future. In conjunction with Newham’s Youth Empowerment Services, we ran a co-design project enabling young people to become Newham’s culture team - reactivating underutilised buildings and outdoor spaces, waterways and communicating creative and cultural activity to young residents
The cultural strategy envisages Newham as a place where culture, creativity and heritage drives inclusive participation, investment, and wellbeing. It is available to read here.
· 12 of 17 ·
GIBRALTAR
―
This year we went to Gibraltar, developing a vision and feasibility study for public realm improvements and a placemaking campaign for the areas surrounding Eurocity and Eurotowers. We analysed existing cultural infrastructure, open space networks, movement and transport networks, and the local policy context.
Our study suggests public realm improvements to restructure Europort Avenue as a key pedestrian and cycle route with ambitious networks connecting the area with the Old Town wall. We wanted to provide a more comfortable and welcoming space for civic life. We prioritised the transformation of the Avenue into a safe pedestrian space: reducing vehicle movement in the area, expanding footway space, providing more accessible walking infrastructure, a dedicated cycle lane and opportunities to increase biodiversity, child-friendly amenities and commercial activities.
· 13 of 17 ·
WALTHAMSTOW
―
We have been collaborating with the London Borough of Waltham Forest to develop public realm proposals for Walthamstow as a cultural centre. The reopening of Soho Theatre Walthamstow (formerly EMD cinema) will prompt a reimagining of the surrounding public realm as stage for socialising, encounter, play, and celebration. New civic spaces will draw audiences from across Waltham Forest, and the wider city.
The designs include elements that begin to define Walthamstow as a cultural hub including materials, street furniture systems and lighting to create visual cues and help wayfinding. Following public and stakeholder consultations we are now developing detailed proposals with the council’s technical delivery team. Construction is due to start in early 2023.
· 14 of 17 ·
DRAYCOTT AVENUE
―
Publica were appointed by Tribeca Holdings to put together a proposal to improve the northern end of Draycott Avenue, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to create a neighbourhood centre, as an attractive area for residents, businesses, and visitors. A section of the carriageway is proposed to be closed to through traffic and to prioritise access for pedestrians and cyclists with increased public amenities including street trees, lighting, and flexible space for events and markets.
Earlier this year, our proposal to improve this part of the street was issued by RBKC for public consultation and received positive feedback from residents and businesses in the area. We will continue to develop the design and programme throughout 2023.
· 15 of 17 ·
ECCLESTON YARDS
―
We're working with Grosvenor, Stiff + Trevillion architects and branding specialists The Plant on the lighting and landscape improvements to Eccleston Yards.
Our proposal draws inspiration from the context of Belgravia to increase the visibility of Eccleston Yards, celebrate its identity and create a unified sense of place across the different entrances and within the Yards. Improvements to lighting will help address long views and strengthen the industrial character of the space. Soft landscape will enhance routes in and out and increase the site’s biodiversity. The works are expected to be completed in February 2023.
· 16 of 17 ·
TALKS AND PANELS
―
Dr Ellie Cosgrave gave a lecture to the University of Notre Dame and the Nanovic Institute; the keynote lecture at the Dag Van de Stad conference in Tilburg, The Netherlands; and in Stavanger, Norway.
Working with many amazing collaborators, we have presented our research on safety in public spaces to the Mayor of London’s Design Advocates, to Camden Council, the Avon and Somerset Violence against Women and Girls Summit, and at the AA Safety Lecture Series.
Anna Mansfield presented our Case for a River Thames Cultural Vision at The London Society, joined by Adrian Evans the Director of the Thames Festival Trust and Pageant Master of the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, sharing our extensive research about London’s most defining and vital public space, particularly in a year that the river has once again taken such a prominent role in the cultural life of our city. It was great to meet so many passionate proponents and supporters of river projects including Rotherhithe Illuminated.
Anna also presented an overview of 12 years of Publica’s work and ideas at the Royal College of Art, as part of the Inside/Out series.
· 17 of 17 ·
The Publica Team
―
In July, Lucy Musgrave and Satu Streatfield were appointed as Design Advocates for the Mayor of London, as part of a cohort of 42 new Design Advocates – independent experts who will ensure quality building and public spaces that benefit Londoners are at the heart of the capital’s recovery from the pandemic. Lucy has also become a member of Homes England’s Cross Cutting Committee on Sustainability and Design.
Anna Mansfield was re-appointed to the Mayor’s Infrastructure Advisory Panel (IAP), which brings together a diverse range of leaders in the infrastructure and development sectors to contribute to and inform his work programme.
We continue our work experience and mentoring programmes, joined this year by brilliant students from Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) and London Metropolitan University working alongside our team to develop their own independent projects relating to our research and cultural strategy work in Newham.
We are very happy to welcome new members to our team: Saamia Makharia as Project Assistant, Tess McCann as Senior Urban Designer and Diane Greenidge, our new Studio Manager.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE.
WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT OUR COLLABORATORS, CLIENTS AND FRIENDS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN 2023.
YEAR IN REVIEW 2022
―
2022 started with hope. Emerging from the pandemic we were seeing a new willingness to experiment with reconfiguration of public realm to prioritise social value and inclusion, our long-term projects were about to be realised, and the Elizabeth Line would finally open. However, the cost-of-living crisis and economic instability, and the reality of enduring and rising inequality, underlined how it is more important than ever to ensure that urban development prioritises an inclusive and sustainable future.
We launched our campaign delivering practical tools to address violence against women and girls in the built environment, through our Community Interest Company. The overwhelming support has given us cause for optimism, and we look forward to making real advances next year.
We have been delighted to see the results of over a decade of collaboration on major projects and to be leading new work on social value and placemaking. From university and biomedical science masterplans, to re-imaging streets and spaces across London, and research that informs Mayoral policy, Publica is proud to be tackling innovative and ever-more inclusive approaches to urban growth. We are continuously learning from collaborators and communities and wanted to share with you some of what we have been doing.
We look forward to working with you in 2023.
Prioritising Social Value / Completion of Major Projects / Community Interest Company / Right to the Streets, Manchester / Safety in Public Space / 24 Hour London / Sounds of Wandsworth / Society of London Theatre / HoLBA Arts Quarter / Mapping Newham / Newham Cultural Strategy / Gibraltar / Walthamstow / Draycott Avenue / Eccleston Yards / Talks and Panels / The Publica Team
· 1 of 17 ·
PRIORITISING SOCIAL VALUE
―
The places we live in and around are critical to health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Adopting a social value approach to development offers real potential to deliver a city that is truly inclusive, safer, resilient, and sustainable.
We were commissioned by the London Sustainable Development Commission to define social value and help extend the approaches associated with the term across the entire lifecycle of development and regeneration projects.
In June, our research was published in Delivering Social Value through Development and Regeneration: An approach for London. We made six recommendations designed to challenge those responsible for development and regeneration across London. The accompanying Social Value Playbook presents case studies, to catalyse the delivery of the recommendations and embed social value in urban change.
· 2 of 17 ·
COMPLETION OF MAJOR PROJECTS
―
In October the Elizabeth Line Bond Street station opened, marking the completion of the transformation of Hanover Square and over a decade of our design work, delivery and collaboration. Our involvement with Hanover started when we joined Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands team for the over-station development, working on a new public space Medici Courtyard, with links from Hanover Square to Tenterden and New Bond Street. This led to us developing concept design proposals for the square itself, supported by GPE and later adopted and delivered with WSP, FMC and NRP for Westminster City Council.
The design celebrates the square’s intrinsic character by revealing historic vistas and elevating its civic identity. It increases pedestrian space, fully pedestrianising the west side, and has brought the gardens back to life with new landscape, lighting, railings, water features and seating, with a new layout that elevates the experience of being in the square and moving through its adjoining streets. The renewed public use of this space is one of the biggest highlights of our year.
This month, we celebrated with Northbank and WCC the opening of the Strand Aldwych. The redevelopment and extensive co-design process led by Westminster has brought together over 70 stakeholders, revitalising one of London’s most congested streets into a dynamic and inviting thoroughfare. We’re proud to have contributed to this wonderful project with the development of the public realm study, vision and strategy, and detailed project brief for the Northbank District.
· 3 of 17 ·
PUBLICA'S
Community interest company
―
This year, Publica’s CIC launched our new campaign to address violence against women, girls and gender diverse people. We’re working to improve access to knowledge and expertise, foster innovative and creative ideas, and help implement new projects. London’s urban development sector has united behind us – supporting our work to deliver practical tools that address violence against women and girls in the build environment.
We are driven by a desire to critically rethink how and why we deliver public space. We want to strengthen our sector and community-led initiatives to help tackle the biggest challenges in our cities. Working alongside a range of policy makers, local authorities, private sector representatives and grassroots groups, it’s clear to us that the ambition to meet these challenges exists. We are excited to have already worked with the GLA, Avon and Somerset Police, and Greater Manchester Moving.
With thanks to our supporters:
Bloomberg Philanthropies / The Portman Estate / Primera / Grosvenor / The Howard De Walden Estate / Almacantar / Helical / Great Portland Estates / The New West End Company / Shaftesbury / Heart of London Business Alliance / The Northbank / Fleet Street Quarter / EC BID / London Heritage Quarter/ Central District Alliance / Cheapside Bid / Aldgate Connect / Hatton Garden
· 4 of 17 ·
RIGHT TO THE STREETS, MANCHESTER
―
We are working with Greater Manchester Moving on a Home Office funded ‘Safer Streets’ project called Right to the Streets, with Trafford Council, Open Data Manchester and local stakeholder groups. The project will help enable active travel and active lives for women and girls in Trafford.
Publica was commissioned to create a literature review on gender inclusive public spaces. We chose to present our findings in the form of information postcards – which can be used as starting points for discussion, reflection, and action.
The postcards will help equip designers, planners, policy makers and the wider community with in-depth knowledge to better understand public space through a gender lens.
· 5 of 17 ·
SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACE
―
Earlier this year, we were commissioned by the Mayor London’s Good Growth by Design Programme to write a report underscoring London’s commitment to advancing gender equity and proposing tangible actions for public space projects. This as a call to action to actively include women, girls and gender diverse people’s experiences, needs and realities in all stages of the design process.
Safety in Public Space: Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People was published in November. It forms the first phase of a larger programme of work to support and guide the design sector, test and trial design and engagement approaches and evaluate and collect data across London.
As 2022 draws to a close, we are proud to have been appointed to the second phase of project, to test the methodology developed in our research on 10 practical projects across London. We hope this will continue to provide the evidence and inspiration our sector needs to put women, girls and gender diverse people at the heart of development.
· 6 of 17 ·
24 HOUR LONDON
―
The character and activities of places between 6pm and 6am are a crucial part of the vitality of neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods at night are shaped by social and cultural infrastructures, public realm design, transport networks, highways, and kerbside strategies, and complex ecologies of land uses and services.
As part of the Greater London Authority’s ongoing campaign for a 24-hour London, Publica and Didobi are delivering one-to-one support to boroughs looking to develop, and already working on, evening and night-time strategies. We have been working with the GLA and Night Czar Amy Lamé on night surgeries in Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Richmond, Camden, Westminster, Lambeth, Merton and Hackney,
We have enjoyed working with Heart of London Business Alliance on an Evening and Night Time Economy strategy for the area, which will be launching early in the new year.
· 7 of 17 ·
SOUNDS OF WANDSWORTH
―
Wandsworth Council is pioneering one of the first holistic borough-wide night time strategies in London, to develop inclusive policies to support the diversity of life in Wandsworth at night. This autumn, we have been working with community members to capture the sounds of people’s everyday lives in Wandsworth at night.
Sounds tell us about the 24-hour cycle of the city and the social and physical infrastructures that shape our everyday lives. From the sounds of waste collection and food deliveries to hospital waiting rooms and bus depots, faith congregations or social events, our nocturnal soundscapes reveal the extensive processes, diverse workforces and complex logistics that keep our cities running.
The project draws attention to the diversity of people’s night times. It reminds policymakers to think of the details that make a nocturnal city something that is not just passed through but is felt, heard, and sensed viscerally.
· 8 of 17 ·
sOCIETY OF LONDON THEATRE
―
In February, we published our report Securing the Future of London’s Theatres, for the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). Our study is a call to action for early engagement and collaboration between theatre operators and those responsible for planning, designing, activating and operating London’s public realm and land uses.
Publica’s research recognises the significant role that theatres play in the local 24-hour economy, and acknowledges how the industry has been impacted by the pandemic and our exit from the EU. Without active engagement and collaboration with theatre operators, London is at risk of losing these internationally renowned and valuable assets. Read the full report here.
· 9 of 17 ·
HOLBA ARTS QUARTER
―
A network of small and characterful streets connect the world-famous destinations of Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly and Haymarket. Appointed by the Heart of London Business Alliance (HoLBA), Publica has been working with Futurecity to reimagine the area as an Arts Quarter. More than just connectors, the streets will act as space for the wide range of artistic expression generated by the quarter’s theatre, film, visual arts, fashion and retail, and its cultural anchor institutions.
We have been collaborating with local stakeholders, to propose an overarching identity, cultural placemaking opportunities, and public realm and transport design proposals. Click here to see HoLBA’s film about the project.
· 10 of 17 ·
MAPPING NEWHAM:
COMMUNITY FACILITIES NEEDS ASSESSMENT
―
In March, we were appointed by the London Borough of Newham for a Community Facilities Needs Assessment, to provide an evidence base and set of recommendations to inform the Newham Local Plan.
We mapped community facilities across the borough’s neighbourhoods to understand deficiencies and potential future requirements, mapping a 15-minute walking distance from each facility to understand how the location and type of community facilities can support the council’s ambition to develop a network of 15-minute neighbourhoods across the borough.
We experimented with new types of mapping, integrating primary research and GIS data – interviewing facility owners, operators and tenants to understand their requirements and inform design guidelines for new social infrastructure.
· 11 of 17 ·
BUILDING NEWHAM'S CREATIVE FUTURE
―
We have been working with Newham Council to create a dynamic cultural strategy. This March, we set out a visionary 15-year plan on how the local creative and cultural industries can contribute to Newham’s community wealth building agenda.
Our research utilised extensive community engagement, mapping, and research to articulate culture’s contribution to inclusive regeneration and local growth. We worked with 1,200 residents: children and young people, creative practitioners, cultural organisations, educational institutions, and strategic stakeholders. Together they helped explore the leading role culture can play in Newham’s future. In conjunction with Newham’s Youth Empowerment Services, we ran a co-design project enabling young people to become Newham’s culture team - reactivating underutilised buildings and outdoor spaces, waterways and communicating creative and cultural activity to young residents
The cultural strategy envisages Newham as a place where culture, creativity and heritage drives inclusive participation, investment, and wellbeing. It is available to read here.
· 12 of 17 ·
GIBRALTAR
―
This year we went to Gibraltar, developing a vision and feasibility study for public realm improvements and a placemaking campaign for the areas surrounding Eurocity and Eurotowers. We analysed existing cultural infrastructure, open space networks, movement and transport networks, and the local policy context.
Our study suggests public realm improvements to restructure Europort Avenue as a key pedestrian and cycle route with ambitious networks connecting the area with the Old Town wall. We wanted to provide a more comfortable and welcoming space for civic life. We prioritised the transformation of the Avenue into a safe pedestrian space: reducing vehicle movement in the area, expanding footway space, providing more accessible walking infrastructure, a dedicated cycle lane and opportunities to increase biodiversity, child-friendly amenities and commercial activities.
· 13 of 17 ·
WALTHAMSTOW
―
We have been collaborating with the London Borough of Waltham Forest to develop public realm proposals for Walthamstow as a cultural centre. The reopening of Soho Theatre Walthamstow (formerly EMD cinema) will prompt a reimagining of the surrounding public realm as stage for socialising, encounter, play, and celebration. New civic spaces will draw audiences from across Waltham Forest, and the wider city.
The designs include elements that begin to define Walthamstow as a cultural hub including materials, street furniture systems and lighting to create visual cues and help wayfinding. Following public and stakeholder consultations we are now developing detailed proposals with the council’s technical delivery team. Construction is due to start in early 2023.
· 14 of 17 ·
DRAYCOTT AVENUE
―
Publica were appointed by Tribeca Holdings to put together a proposal to improve the northern end of Draycott Avenue, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to create a neighbourhood centre, as an attractive area for residents, businesses, and visitors. A section of the carriageway is proposed to be closed to through traffic and to prioritise access for pedestrians and cyclists with increased public amenities including street trees, lighting, and flexible space for events and markets.
Earlier this year, our proposal to improve this part of the street was issued by RBKC for public consultation and received positive feedback from residents and businesses in the area. We will continue to develop the design and programme throughout 2023.
· 15 of 17 ·
ECCLESTON YARDS
―
We're working with Grosvenor, Stiff + Trevillion architects and branding specialists The Plant on the lighting and landscape improvements to Eccleston Yards.
Our proposal draws inspiration from the context of Belgravia to increase the visibility of Eccleston Yards, celebrate its identity and create a unified sense of place across the different entrances and within the Yards. Improvements to lighting will help address long views and strengthen the industrial character of the space. Soft landscape will enhance routes in and out and increase the site’s biodiversity. The works are expected to be completed in February 2023.
· 16 of 17 ·
TALKS AND PANELS
―
Dr Ellie Cosgrave gave a lecture to the University of Notre Dame and the Nanovic Institute; the keynote lecture at the Dag Van de Stad conference in Tilburg, The Netherlands; and in Stavanger, Norway.
Working with many amazing collaborators, we have presented our research on safety in public spaces to the Mayor of London’s Design Advocates, to Camden Council, the Avon and Somerset Violence against Women and Girls Summit, and at the AA Safety Lecture Series.
Anna Mansfield presented our Case for a River Thames Cultural Vision at The London Society, joined by Adrian Evans the Director of the Thames Festival Trust and Pageant Master of the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, sharing our extensive research about London’s most defining and vital public space, particularly in a year that the river has once again taken such a prominent role in the cultural life of our city. It was great to meet so many passionate proponents and supporters of river projects including Rotherhithe Illuminated.
Anna also presented an overview of 12 years of Publica’s work and ideas at the Royal College of Art, as part of the Inside/Out series.
· 17 of 17 ·
The Publica Team
―
In July, Lucy Musgrave and Satu Streatfield were appointed as Design Advocates for the Mayor of London, as part of a cohort of 42 new Design Advocates – independent experts who will ensure quality building and public spaces that benefit Londoners are at the heart of the capital’s recovery from the pandemic. Lucy has also become a member of Homes England’s Cross Cutting Committee on Sustainability and Design.
Anna Mansfield was re-appointed to the Mayor’s Infrastructure Advisory Panel (IAP), which brings together a diverse range of leaders in the infrastructure and development sectors to contribute to and inform his work programme.
We continue our work experience and mentoring programmes, joined this year by brilliant students from Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) and London Metropolitan University working alongside our team to develop their own independent projects relating to our research and cultural strategy work in Newham.
We are very happy to welcome new members to our team: Saamia Makharia as Project Assistant, Tess McCann as Senior Urban Designer and Diane Greenidge, our new Studio Manager.
· 1 of 17 ·
PRIORITISING SOCIAL VALUE
―
The places we live in and around are critical to health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Adopting a social value approach to development offers real potential to deliver a city that is truly inclusive, safer, resilient, and sustainable.
We were commissioned by the London Sustainable Development Commission to define social value and help extend the approaches associated with the term across the entire lifecycle of development and regeneration projects.
In June, our research was published in Delivering Social Value through Development and Regeneration: An approach for London. We made six recommendations designed to challenge those responsible for development and regeneration across London. The accompanying Social Value Playbook presents case studies, to catalyse the delivery of the recommendations and embed social value in urban change.