Barking is one of east London's largest commercial, cultural and transport hubs. This is an area once blighted by disjointed public spaces, 1950s and 1960s social housing blocks, and the decline of local manufacturing industry. It is now being revived by beautiful public parks and spaces, new public buildings, 8000 new homes, a revitalized riverfront, and excellent transport connections to London and Essex.

Design for London has been heavily involved in Barking's regeneration. Working closely with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's Regeneration Team we helped to prepare the Barking Framework Plan in 2003 and have assisted with its implementation - defining projects, assisting in selecting consultants, writing briefs, and acting as design advisors from project inception through to implementation.

Key projects with Design for London involvement have included:

* a new town square and wider public realm guidelines prepared by muf architecture/art

* 'the Shape of Barking' - urban design guidelines which will become a Supplementary Planning Document to Barking Town Centre's Area Action Plan

* the Gascoigne Estate plans prepared by Levitt Bernstein with Beyond Green

* the William Street Quarter/Lintons masterplan developed by First Base and designed by Maccreanor Lavington, Karakusevic Carson and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris with Halcroft.