The strategy addresses the challenges facing the Fleet Street Quarter area while developing a vision that builds on the area’s assets and strengths. It sets out a framework - for future placemaking strategies and public realm improvements - to help to ensure that the area can fulfil its upcoming potential.

Fleet Street Quarter lies between and connects the City of Westminster and the City of London. The significance of this central and ‘in-between’ location is intertwined with both the history of the area and its future. Although the newspapers have dispersed, the area’s location and connectivity have always been attractive to businesses, evidenced by the current development pipeline.

The challenges are evident. The area has lacked a clear identity in the years following the departure of the media, and the consequential decline of activity has been compounded by the longer terms changes to work patterns following the pandemic. Spatially, the large traffic arteries cause severances and poor air quality, and there is a deficiency of open space and greenery. 

This Area Based Strategy sets out a vision for the improvement of the public realm of the Fleet Street Quarter over the short, medium, and longer terms. The vision is based around three interconnected strategies – improving the public realm, encouraging activation, and connecting to surrounding neighbourhoods. This vision aims to re-invigorate the area into becoming a memorable, sustainable and vibrant part of London that is welcoming, inclusive, supportive of a variety of uses, while providing a high-quality public realm for the area’s remarkable history and future.

This strategy was developed working closely with the Fleet Street Quarter Partnership Public Realm & Environment Steering Group and representatives from the City of London. The strategy and principle-based vision are based on the key findings from Publica’s initial studies of the area – its history, spatial and environmental characteristics, transport connectivity, and policy context.

“While sometimes forgotten, this area has a rich history, presenting an opportunity for reinvigoration through the modern renewal of its past. The public realm can and should do more to support the growth and evolution of this area. It’s not just about what happens within buildings, but what happens in the spaces in between them.

This Area Based Strategy presents a compelling vision for the future of Fleet Street Quarter’s streets, spaces and public life. We hope that it inspires our partners and stakeholders to share ideas and become involved.”

MARTHA GREKOS, FORMER CHAIR OF THE FLEET STREET QUARTER PARTNERSHIP
PUBLIC REALM & ENVIRONMENT STEERING GROUP

The strategy addresses the challenges facing the Fleet Street Quarter area while developing a vision that builds on the area’s assets and strengths. It sets out a framework - for future placemaking strategies and public realm improvements - to help to ensure that the area can fulfil its upcoming potential.

Fleet Street Quarter lies between and connects the City of Westminster and the City of London. The significance of this central and ‘in-between’ location is intertwined with both the history of the area and its future. Although the newspapers have dispersed, the area’s location and connectivity have always been attractive to businesses, evidenced by the current development pipeline.

The challenges are evident. The area has lacked a clear identity in the years following the departure of the media, and the consequential decline of activity has been compounded by the longer terms changes to work patterns following the pandemic. Spatially, the large traffic arteries cause severances and poor air quality, and there is a deficiency of open space and greenery. 

This Area Based Strategy sets out an implementable vision for the improvement of the public realm of the Fleet Street Quarter over the short, medium, and longer terms. The vision is based around three interconnected strategies – improving the public realm, encouraging activation, and connecting to surrounding neighbourhoods. This vision aims to re-invigorate the area into becoming a memorable, sustainable and vibrant part of London that is welcoming, inclusive, supportive of a variety of uses, while providing a high-quality public realm for the area’s remarkable history and future.

This strategy was developed working closely with the Fleet Street Quarter Public Realm & Environment Steering Group and representatives from the City of London. The strategy and principle-based vision are based on the key findings from Publica’s initial studies of the area – its history, spatial and environmental characteristics, transport connectivity, and policy context.