Sir Peter Rogers, the Mayor’s Advisor for Regeneration, Growth and Enterprise, on our place-based approach to regeneration.

Sir Peter Rogers, the Mayor’s Advisor for Regeneration, Growth and Enterprise, on our place-based approach to regeneration.

Creating excellent local places in London is central to sustaining a decent quality of life for all, retaining and attracting highly talented people and businesses, and drawing in visitors and investment. London’s high streets and public spaces form the civic and social centre of our lives and also provide over a third of London’s jobs.

Despite how highly we value these places, many struggle to thrive. However, with a little help they can become vital hubs of activity. That’s why we’re refocusing our approach to regeneration, targeting local high streets, public spaces and boosting efforts to produce and preserve local jobs and drive economic growth.

We’re in the middle of spending £221 million on high streets and public spaces in more than 55 London localities, with £70m from the Mayor’s Regeneration Fund, £41 million through the London Growth Fund and £50 million from the Outer London Fund with nearly £60 million in match funding, so far. The Mayor’s Regeneration Fund is focusing on the worst-affected areas from the August 2011 disturbances. It aims to support long-term improvements with an emphasis on jobs and economic growth.

London’s Growth Fund is a revolving capital fund, aimed at attracting the investment in infrastructure and regeneration that our city needs. The Outer London Fund is dedicated to helping London’s high streets grow and become more vibrant, and offers the specialist support needed for high-quality projects that draw people out to enjoy and use their local high streets.

London’s Great Outdoors, an umbrella programme for all our public realm improvements, is helping transform London’s parks, pavements, pathways, towpaths, and squares into a well-designed and well-loved network of attractive and active public spaces.

All these improvements and investments are translating into more jobs for Londoners and are unlocking economic activity. The Outer London Fund and Mayor’s Regeneration Fund together are expected to create nearly 6,000 new jobs. We’re also releasing new commercial space, helping to prepare sites for development, helping local traders, revamping shop fronts, and supporting local authorities and organisations in putting on spectacular events that enliven our entire city.