We are working across London to provide ambitious improvements to the network of public spaces, from the doorstep to the street, parks and landscapes.

Stratford is the largest local centre in the Lower Lea Valley, one of London's best-connected transport interchanges and an important link between the Stratford City development, the Olympic site and the existing surrounding communities. Design for London is working with partners to make the most of these strategic advantages.

There are many opportunities for strengthening the existing town centre, including the redevelopment of the existing shopping mall into a mixed-use town centre environment. This would also re-establish a network of linkages between Stratford station and the historic Broadway.

Urban Practitioners and Stephen Taylor Architects completed a public realm strategy and conservation area appraisal for the town centre in 2007. The public realm strategy proposes downgrading the hostile environment of the existing gyratory into a 2-way street, which would radically improve the pedestrian and cycling environment in the town centre.

Stratford is also the eastern terminus of the High Street 2012 project. Design for London is working with partners to identify public realm improvements in key areas within Stratford to be delivered by 2012, including Meridian Square and station environs, and the areas around the historic town centre. Fluid completed a detailed project scoping and delivery plan for public realm improvements in December 2008.

Design for London is supporting the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) and the London Borough of Newham on all design aspects in Stratford Town Centre, as well as providing design advice on all development proposals in Stratford to the GLA Planning Decisions Unit and local authorities.