A council-led project to revitalise areas of Croydon town centre with public art installations while they await long-term development has scooped a regional award.
Neanwhile Croydon won the meanwhile category of the New London Architecture Awards yesterday (3 July), which celebrate schemes that make the capital a better place to live, work, move around in and socialise.
The project combines innovative installations with a civic and cultural programme to reinvigorate areas awaiting long-term redevelopment. It includes the ground art on South End and High Street, the street furniture in College Square and Croydon Arts Store – an unused shop in the Whitgift Centre transformed into a creative space – all of which celebrate the urban spaces within the town centre.
As Meanwhile Croydon has provided enlivened places for people where it might be least expected, it has also tested ideas and gathered feedback for how the places could be transformed in the long term.
Another council-led project nominated at the awards, the Suburban Design Guide (SPD2), was highly commended in the masterplans and area strategies category. Adopted in April, it was welcomed as the first of its kind by the Greater London Authority – and it assists developers, their architects and residents when looking at how to sensitively provide new homes in the borough’s suburban neighbourhoods. The commendation follows the document’s win at the Planning Awards earlier this year.
“As growth in our town centre continues, our meanwhile programme has become increasingly important – creating places for people to enjoy as their community evolves.
“SPD2 is an important guide helping inform new development at higher densities and making sure better and more sustainable places are created. It’s fantastic it has been recognised again as a key approach to delivering more housing.
“Congratulations to all of our staff who have worked extremely hard on these projects.”
Councillor Paul Scott, cabinet lead for planning and regeneration
