Climate resilience in action – Strand Aldwych walking tour

Strand Aldwych is a long-term public realm initiative that has transformed a traffic-choked gyratory into a greener and more accessible social space. After our conference at the RSA, we visited this landmark scheme that is supporting a more resilient and healthier city.

The Strand Aldwych project links the major institutions lining the Strand, including King’s College and Somerset House, and has improved connections to surrounding districts.

Speakers

• David Beamont, Head of Sustainability and Infrastructure, London Heritage Quarter
• Ramiro Levy, Place Shaping Principal, Westminster City Council

David and Ramiro explained the origins and key features of the project and its achievements to date in improving biodiversity and air quality. The project shows how business improvement districts can initiate and support the development of major public realm transformation to make a more climate-resilient city for all.

In 2015 the Northbank Business Improvement District (BID), now part of London Heritage Quarter, commissioned Publica to develop a public realm vision for Aldwych, built on earlier work developed by the BID. This was then taken forward by the Place Shaping team at Westminster City Council, in partnership with London Heritage Quarter and more than 70 local stakeholders.

Key achievements of the project to date include the addition of 1,370m of biodiverse planting and a dramatic improvement in air quality, with a 56% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels over three years. One of the project’s goals is to provide a safe and attractive meeting place for workers, students, visitors and residents; even on a rainy October day we saw the space filled with people.

Our walking tour attendees asked how the space will be managed. The design and landscaping of the Strand section is meanwhile use to test ideas for future schemes. David and Ramiro explained how the latest stage of the project has involved development of a management model and new governance structure, in partnership with local stakeholders, to ensure a long-term shared vision for the area with sustainability as a key focus.

Conference session write-ups

Keynotes: Mete Coban (Deputy Mayor), Emma Howard Boyd (London Climate Resilience Review), Indy Johar (Dark Matter Labs)

Fresh Perspectives – Young people-led panel discussion

Fresh Perspectives – Two US projects using art and culture to explore climate resilience

Including All Voices – ensuring communities are fully involved

Neighbourhood Futures – Tackling climate resilience and health equity

Homes and Buildings – Designing inclusive climate approaches

Council-led Housing Network – climate resilience through council development

Fresh Perspectives – Alumni ideas on climate resilience, plus domestic retrofit and infrastructure innovation in Arnhem

Inclusive Finance – Financial models for equitable climate resilience

Neighbourhoods – Designing inclusive climate approaches

Health and Racial Equity – Developing community-led action for ethnic minority communities

Make It Happen – Closing plenary with conference takeaways, including governance, finance and partnerships

Strand Aldwych Walking Tour – how a striking new landscape was created in the historic London

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The conference is part of our major Knowledge programme for 2024/25, with a final report in Spring 2025. Find out more about our Climate Resilience and Equity programme.

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