London Festival of Architecture 2019: top events exploring how architects can create sustainable suburbs for the 21st century

London's constant evolution challenges architects to design for how we live now.
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Tim Gledstone17 June 2019

London has been shaped over centuries by agriculture, trade and industry.

As the global city grew, its suburbs emerged as well-considered low-density and low-rise neighbourhoods organised around green spaces and gardens, where workers could retreat and raise families.

An expanded network of trains, Tubes and trams enhanced the suburbs’ appeal.

At its edges, London is an amalgamation of towns and villages. Today, 60 per cent of the capital’s growth is in these outer boroughs, making it necessary to intensify development in traditionally “suburban” areas.

Architects need to respond by creating communities that are sustainable in the broadest sense, and respecting the unique DNA of outer London.

Just as London neighbourhoods have evolved organically over time, new development should be part of that ongoing narrative.

While we should protect established areas of high-quality housing, parks and thriving town centres, redundant uses provide opportunity.

The ongoing evolution of the suburbs has left redundant industrial shells, empty car parks and underused retail destinations that are perfect for enhanced neighbourhoods and services.

The Perfume Factory, Acton: a mix of residential, creative workspace, retail, restaurant and social spaces on the site of a disused Elizabeth Arden factory from the 1920s
The Perfume Factory, Acton

Hyperdensification should tap into the existing and evolving web of public transport networks. This is essential to avoid the creation of communities disconnected from the rest of London.

New industries with flexible working patterns will ease transport pressure, support start-ups and create an affordable model for integrated communities.

Like the original suburbs, denser, lower-cost housing should be balanced by the enhancement of existing leisure and social green spaces with new schools and public services.

London should not evolve as a series of commuter towns built on outdated models of work and travel.

I believe responsible design can positively shape the capital as a whole in a more thoughtful way in its continual evolution.

Tim Gledstone is a partner at architect and design service company Squire & Partners, based in Brixton (020 7278 5555). Visit londonfestivalofarchitecture.org; tweet @LFArchitecture and/or @squirepartners

See our gallery above for the key events to watch out for at this year's festival...

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