Mayor launches two year pilot scheme to improve high streets and public spaces across the capital    

• New scheme will promote good growth and design in neighbourhoods across the capital  
• New Town Architects appointed to support the future development of ten locations in London  

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has appointed ten built environment experts to support the capital’s boroughs to improve the quality of high streets and public spaces, in a brand-new pilot scheme. 

The Town Architects programme, which is being piloted for two years, forms part of the Mayor’s £1.25m Local Growth Capacity Support Programme which aims to support local growth and the design of public spaces in London. The programme builds on the Mayor’s work to support the creation of safe, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods and economic growth by ensuring that boroughs are better equipped and can utilise the skills of planners and architects to help shape better places in their local areas.

We know that high streets are struggling and the need to make them more attractive, sustainable and enjoyable places to live in and visit is as vital as ever. Recent data from City Hall shows huge demand for greater knowledge sharing and the upskilling of existing teams as local boroughs increasingly struggle to promote built development and growth in areas across the capital. [1]

The experts, known as ‘Town Architects’, will help to build much-needed capacity within local boroughs and will directly support Chief Placeshaping Officers and Design Champions to review project proposals and help develop a strategic vision for the local area.  

They have been selected from the Mayor’s diverse panel of Design Advocates to support his vision for good growth and ensure that new buildings and public spaces will benefit all Londoners by promoting quality and inclusion in the built environment. Their expertise spans a broad range of areas, including architecture, master planning, high streets, public realm, and design quality management.  

London’s placeshaping capacity is central to delivering the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design principles, which seek to ensure that London’s growth is both economically and socially inclusive and sustainable. The Town Architects pilot will address this gap in capacity by working with local authorities to bolster and enhance in-house skills, knowledge, and expertise to help shape better places and promote quality and inclusion in the built environment. 

Jules Pipe, the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, said: “We are pleased to be launching this pilot scheme to promote the future development of key areas in the capital. 

“By drawing on the expertise of the Mayor’s Design Advocates, local boroughs will have the expertise and support they need to boost design quality to improve their high streets and public spaces and promote positive neighbourhood placemaking, helping to build a better and more sustainable London for everyone.”  

Holly Lewis, Mayor’s Design Advocate and Director of We Made That, said: “I’m thrilled to have the chance to continue to support the London Borough of Hackney in my new role as Town Architect. Hackney Central is just one of many places in London experiencing rapid change, with many exciting projects underway. With the support of this programme, I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside the borough in achieving the best possible outcomes for Hackney’s diverse communities.”

Suzanne Johnston, Interim Director, Economy, Regeneration and New Homes, Hackney Council, said: "We are delighted to be working with Holly Lewis in her role as Hackney's new Town Architect. We're passionate about the need for good design in our built environment.   

"Whether it’s promoting high quality buildings and public spaces or ensuring that Hackney Central is inclusive and easy to get around, Holly's considerable expertise will complement the Council's own in-house design expertise, to make sure Hackney's buildings and public spaces work for everyone."