The public spaces in the Eastern City have been vital to the area’s civic identity since the Roman Forum was established over two millennia ago. Today, the modern energy of the area is set within historic remnants of the Roman, medieval, and 19th century city, contributing to a distinctiveness that sets the City apart from its international peers.  

With many significant office developments planned for the next 15 years, and a renewed attention to welcoming new visitors to the Square Mile with the City of London Corporation’s flagship Destination City policy, the Eastern City is poised for change. Both the Corporation and Transport for London have been leading on public realm projects across the area, which, coupled with private development, will impact the public realm across the area.  

The proposed improvements include small-scale interventions, which align with the seven aims of the Vision and address the context and conditions of each route. In addition, there are several transformative projects highlighted, such as the removal of the Houndsditch-Bevis Marks gyratory and the creation of a new park at Camomile Street, which is currently being studied by the Corporation.  

The resulting vision is the first step of a long-term process of collaboration and partnership between the EC BID and stakeholders. It strives to unite these diverse perspectives, to shape a dynamic, welcoming and green Eastern City, where the public realm plays a central role in mitigating the effects of climate change and addresses the ESG goals of the BID and its members. 

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The public spaces in the Eastern City have been vital to the area’s civic identity since the Roman Forum was established over two millennia ago. Today, the modern energy of the area is set within historic remnants of the Roman, medieval, and 19th century city, contributing to a distinctiveness that sets the City apart from its international peers.  

With many significant office developments planned for the next 15 years, and a renewed attention to welcoming new visitors to the Square Mile with the City of London Corporation’s flagship Destination City policy, the Eastern City is poised for change. Both the Corporation and Transport for London have been leading on public realm projects across the area, which, coupled with private development, will impact the public realm across the area.  

Commissioned by the EC BID, Publica – in collaboration with transport consultants NRP, heritage specialists Donald Insall Associates, and public engagement experts Christina Norton and Jessica Cargill-Thompson – have helped define and articulate a transformative social, cultural and spatial vision for the future of the Eastern City.  

Publica gathered a vast amount of data through extensive fieldwork in the Eastern City. We used a range of methods, including mapping, photography, and ethnographic observation. Between February and March 2024, we facilitated a series of on-street pop up sessions engaging with the local community, workers and visitors, to better understand their aspirations and priorities for the Eastern City. 

Our vision imagines a future public realm of the Eastern City defined by welcoming publicly accessible spaces; resilient trees and planting; lively uses and activity; intuitive navigation; historic character and lighting; a mobility environment that is accessible for all; and a safe and inclusive neighbourhood.  

In addition to highlighting programmatic and area-wide initiatives the BID can deliver, the Vision proposes physical interventions within five project families:  

1. London Bridge to Liverpool Street, running north to south on the western side of Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate.  
2. Monument to Spitalfields, running north to south on the eastern side of Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate.  
3. The southeastern gateways, connecting Aldgate, Tower Hill, the Tower of London, and the riverfront to the Eastern City area. 
4. The east-west routes, connecting Aldgate to Bank and Fleet Street beyond. 
5. The area’s historic core, the remaining blocks of medieval courts, Victorian shopfronts and the alleyways that connect them.