Shaping Places
We are a design resource for London. A small team within the Greater London Authority, we work on behalf of the Mayor of London. The main focus of our work is supporting boroughs, other local players, and project deliverers to shape a better city. We help them think about the future and make plans. We help steer developments and collaborate to influence how places change. We help conceive, evolve and deliver projects. The Design for London team gets out there, with sleeves rolled up, supporting good place shaping in localities across the city.
We take a proactive approach to championing good design in planning and urban change. We nurture the right skills for the task, we explore strategic design and spatial themes, working in collaboration with the Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel and others. We ensure that projects promoted and enabled by the Mayor are an example to others.
Design for London has been praised as a model for the future of locally-led, collaborative planning and urban design: helping to bring forward better places and spaces for all citizens.
London's growth
Over the next twenty years, London is forecast to grow by around one million people. The Mayor’s vision is for London to become prosperous, better connected, more environmentally responsible, fairer, and to offer a better quality of life to all its citizens. It will need to contain its growth within existing boundaries, without encroaching on green space and protecting its distinctive character, its diverse neighbourhoods and unique heritage.
Design
With creative, careful and integrated design, London will be able to accommodate its growth without sprawl, while improving the quality of life available to Londoners and visitors alike. Without it, we will not successfully deal with areas of dereliction or social exclusion, nor meet the rising challenge of climate change.
Integration
Good design is not simply a matter of aesthetics. It is about establishing an appropriate mix of uses and creating a network of safe and accessible open spaces, and ensuring that major new infrastructure is integrated into the public realm and with existing development. Good design also helps create a sense of innovation and excitement that draws people and business to an area.
Team
Design for London is a small team with a unique understanding and breadth of experience in shaping places. We are collaborative, nimble, positive, creative, enthusiastic and design focused.
