Mayor plans to transform public spaces in London

Over the next three years, in excess of £220 million will be invested in over 50 public space projects, ranging from redesigned streets to reclaimed green spaces and waterways.

The Mayor launched London’s Great Outdoors – A Manifesto for Public Space which sets out his commitment to champion the improvement of public spaces and create places that are fit for a great world city, and which are enjoyable for everyone who uses or visits them. His manifesto is supported by two practical guides that set out his principles for designing better streets, roads and squares as well as better green and water spaces.

£180 million is being invested in street and public space projects that will be delivered by 2012/13, including the redevelopment of Leicester Square, the introduction of diagonal crossings in Oxford Circus, and a number improvements to town centres across outer London including Richmond, Sutton and Woolwich.

The Mayor said:

“‘If you Google our city with a satellite map you will see how the world beneath you is divided into two categories. There is private space – that is, homes and gardens occupied by individuals and their families. However, more than half of the London landscape is shared space including roads, parks, canals, rivers, squares, piazzas, malls and monuments. This shared space is a vast and complex environment in which millions of perfect strangers must move, meet and negotiate. It is, therefore, critical that we invest in them so that London’s great outdoors is fit for the future.

"I want to work with the boroughs and other bodies to shape and breathe new life into London’s public spaces. This means creating a network of well designed and enticing outdoor areas, which increase our city’s popularity as a place to live in, visit and invest.”