Heart of London Business Alliance are proud to have been shortlisted for the 2020 Planning Awards in the category of ‘Award for Promoting Economic Growth’ for our Placeshaping Strategy developed with Publica.

The Placeshaping strategy represents a compelling case for investment in the public realm across the Heart of London area – identifying 43 projects with varying complexity, multiple timelines and sources of funding drawn from private and public sectors.

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of Heart of London Business Alliance said: ”As a Business Improvement District we aim to ensure the commercial and cultural success of our area. This Placeshaping Strategy exemplifies  how a collaborative approach of working with our members, TfL and Westminster City Council has created an ambitious placemaking strategy with a number of projects that will ensure the long-term success of London’s West End for those that visit, work, live and invest in the area.”

Overall, the strategy balances two key priorities: to preserve and enhance the unique character of the Heart of London area and its constituent spaces, and to maintain or improve their function – both locally and at the metropolitan scale.

Lucy Pritchard, Projects Director at Publica, said: “The aim of the Placeshaping Strategy – to improve pedestrian experience – is economically driven, but beneficial to all who use this area. For a business improvement district to commission a strategy dedicated to the quality of the built environment, and particularly the public realm, is extremely progressive. We really hope others will take inspiration from this example.”

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in September. To learn more about the HoLBA project, click here.