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Urban Design News
New public space for City

Aldermanbury Square, a new public space for the City of London designed by Eric Parry Architects (EPA), will be opened to the public by the Lord Mayor of London on 21 November 2006.

Located just north of Guildhall, EC2, Aldermanbury Square is intended to be a calm, relaxed haven for City residents, workers and visitors. The project is part of the Street Scene Challenge initiative run by the City of London, which aims to enhance the City's streets by reclaiming them from traffic through high-quality projects with respected architects, designers and artists.

"An area previously dominated by cars has been transformed into a new public space where the pedestrian has priority," explains Susannah Glynn from Theresa Simon & Partners. "Aldermanbury Square has been developed using new engineering techniques, high quality materials and contemporary design solutions. There are inviting seating areas, impressive computer-controlled water fountains set flush within granite paving, a canopy of trees and soft planting to enhance the atmosphere of this new civic amenity in the heart of the City of London."

"A striking, stainless steel-clad office tower, also by Eric Parry Architects, will frame the western edge of Aldermanbury Square; and generous public space at ground level will create a new east-west pedestrian route from Wood St through to Aldermanbury Square beyond."

Architect Eric Parry told Sapling.info:

"I'm delighted to be working with the City of London on their Street Scene project. Great buildings do not exist without a context and the spaces between them are as important, and with greater potential for public engagement and communication. Street Scene is an excellent example of how planners, architects and developers can work together to make the city environment a more pleasant place."

The City of London's Street Scene Challenge initiative was set up in 2003 to manage the appearance of streets, enhance the public realm and street level environment and facilitate the flow of both pedestrian and motor traffic around the City of London. Traffic has been reduced in the City by 25% overall, with a 40% reduction in the central City area as a result of the City's management of vehicular movement.

Whilst every scheme is different, in general Street Scene schemes are funded by a partnership between the City of London and other interested parties such as private developers, building owners and occupiers, Transport for London and regeneration organisations. The City of London's contribution can vary depending on the size and nature of schemes but includes the funding derived from parking income - which, by law, must be spent on local highway improvements - and also contributions made through Section 106 planning agreements. Indeed, at Aldermanbury Square funding for the works came about through Section 106 agreements with Hanover Cube, the developer of 5 Aldermanbury Square for Scottish Widows Plc, and Stanhope Plc, the developer of 35 Basinghall Street.

Other forthcoming Street Scene projects include the development of a Riverside Walkway along the north bank of the Thames between Embankment and Tower Hill, improvements to public spaces and the pedestrianisation and enhancement of the Queen Street and King Street area of the City.

Published at Sapling.info: October 2006

Theresa Simon & Partners [external link]
Eric Parry Architects [external link]
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