An eminent panel of international design experts has been set up by the London Development Agency to champion the use of world-class architecture in London Thames Gateway. The area has been designated a top regeneration priority by the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.
The announcement coincides with the inaugural meeting today (16 July) of the Thames Gateway Partnership Board - the umbrella body that brings together the area's major stakeholders and politicians responsible for implementing the Government's Communities Plan.
The new 'International Design Committee', to be chaired by Richard Rogers the Mayor's Chief Advisor on architecture, will advise on the design quality of all LDA-led developments and masterplanning in the region. It will also be tasked with ensuring that a co-ordinated and consistent creative design approach is adopted across projects.
London Thames Gateway, which stretches east from Tower Bridge out to the M25, is a national regeneration priority in the Government's Communities Plan. As one of the largest landowners in the area, the LDA has a leading role to play in delivering the Plan and in driving the Mayor's vision of urban renaissance across the capital.
The committee is made up of some of the world's most respected architects and urban designers: Josep Acebillo, David Adjaye, Professor Will Alsop, Sir Terry Farrell, Lord Foster of Thamesbank, Francine Houbin, Sir Richard McCormac and Mohsen Mostafavi.
Honor Chapman, Acting Chair of the LDA said:
"As one of Europe's biggest development initiatives, the transformation of the Thames Gateway will have a permanent impact on London and the lives of thousands of people. This distinguished committee will be crucial in ensuring that architectural and design excellence is at the heart of plans to create attractive and sustainable communities where people will want to live and work."
Committee Chair Richard Rogers said: "If we don't get design right in the London Thames Gateway we won't deliver the Mayor's aspirations for London's development as a compact and sustainable city. I hope that the wealth of talent on this committee will ensure we get it right - we won't get a second chance."
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said: "First class design will be central to ensuring that development in the Thames Gateway results in vibrant new communities, and not anonymous housing estates, much-needed though that housing is. The experience that this panel can bring to bear on everything from small-scale domestic projects to major masterplanning will prove invaluable as the Thames Gateway takes shape over the next months and years."
For media information, contact the LDA Press Office on any of the following numbers - Emma Lynch 020 7954 4752 or Jane Ball 020 7954 4552/07976 081 042
Notes to Editors
1.The International Design Committee will meet on a quarterly basis. Members will be required to declare an interest and withdraw from discussions relating to any project in which they are involved. They will be allowed to compete for work within the Thames Gateway, but not to continue to be involved on a selection panel where they are competing. Member biography details are available on request.
2.The LDA is one of the largest landowners in London Thames Gateway, with a total of 250 hectares.
3.Significant progress has already been made on key LDA projects in the Thames Gateway, including:
Lower Lea Valley - The LDA is in the process of appointing a team of leading experts to masterplan the Lower Lea Valley. The area will be central to the development of the Thames Gateway and includes the site for any proposed Olympics.
Hackney Stadium - This site was bought by the LDA in December 2002 and would be pivotal to London's bid to host the Olympics in 2012.
Excel Centre - Around 1,200 hotel beds will be built in the near future at the Excel Centre, one of London's leading exhibition venues.
Ferry Lane & Coldharbour Lane - Work has been completed on a major road improvement scheme to give better access to the Ferry Lane industrial area in the outer London Borough of Havering. This will be a major boost to local businesses and attract further investment from property developers.
Royal Quay - Situated in the Albert Basin, this forms part of the Royal Docks project, which is one of the largest integrated developments happening in London. Construction work has now started to transform the historic dock
and Gallions Hotel into a stunning new waterside community. This £100m
project is a joint undertaking by the LDA and Furlong City.
Royals Business Park - The first phase of the development is now under construction and is due to open in 2004. When complete, it will be the biggest urban business park in London providing office space for 8,000 people. The scheme is being developed jointly by the LDA, Development Securities plc and Standard Life Investments.
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich - The first phase of the affordable housing units for key workers has recently opened. When finished, the 30-hectare site will see the creation of over 1,200 homes. The LDA has also appointed two architects, East and Sergison Bates, to develop plans for the future regeneration of the wider Woolwich area.
Silvertown Dock - This will be the centrepiece of the Royal Docks project and lies at the heart of the town centre. It will be a mixed scheme containing offices, shops and major visitor attractions including a new world-class National Aquarium. With over 3,500 homes also planned, it is be one of the largest residential developments in London. The project is a joint venture between the LDA, Silvertown Quays Ltd and Kajima.
Greengate House - The LDA bought Greengate House in Plaistow, east London in order to convert it into urgently needed accommodation for the capital's essential workers and their families. When complete it will provide up to 90 quality homes for key workers. Development is due to begin in 2004.
Laban Centre - The Centre is one of Europe's leading institutions for contemporary dance training and dance-related studies. The LDA made a substantial investment in this stunning new £22m building, which includes a 300-seat theatre and 13 dance studios. It is a powerful focus for the ongoing physical and social regeneration of Deptford and the surrounding area.
Lewisham Gateway - Up to 400 homes will be built as a result of new development proposals aimed at revitalising a large part of Lewisham town centre, south London. The LDA, working in partnership with Lewisham Council and Transport for London, will soon appoint a developer to transform the area situated between the main shopping centre and the bus, rail and DLR stations.
White Hart Triangle - Infrastructure work has now begun on this £17million regeneration initiative which will turn a 25 hectare derelict piece of land in south London into an attractive new business park, providing office space for 2,000 workers.
4. The LDA is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. It prepares the Mayor's business plan for the capital, investing over £300 million a year and mobilising the support and resources of other organisations to create a better environment for London's diverse people, businesses and communities to thrive. Further information is available at www.lda.gov.uk
Submitted: 11 Mar 2004
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