Well-designed, higher density housing is part of London's urban tradition.  In the first decade of the twenty-first century the capital faces an unprecedented period of growth, and in response, providing well-designed, functional and spacious accommodation in higher density developments will be a crucial element in the Mayor’s drive for more homes. Reducing carbon emissions must also be a central priority for all new housing.  Excellent design quality is essential to meet these challenges.

 

Design for London has worked with Mae architects and Urban Initiatives to prepare the Mayor's London Housing Design Guide, which sets minimum standards for new homes developed in London with public funding.  The draft guide was published in July 2009 for consultation and is available for download below.  Further information on the consultation process and how to submit comments is available on the LDA's website.

 

The GLA Architecture and Urbanism Unit (now part of Design for London) also published Housing for a Compact City in June 2003. It focuses on the importance of good design in making higher density work, and illustrates how successful compact developments have been designed using a selection of European case studies.

 

Download:
Draft_London_Housing_Design_Guide.pdf
Draft_London_Housing_Design_Guide_text_only.rtf
Housing_for_a_Compact_City_Part1.pdf
Housing_for_a_Compact_City_Part2.pdf
Housing_for_a_Compact_City_Part3.pdf
Housing_for_a_Compact_City_text_only.rtf