Culture Mile BID unveils new public realm vision and strategy

The Culture Mile Business Improvement District (BID) in the City of London has today unveiled its new Public Realm and Vision Strategy, outlining plans to enhance the accessibility and vibrancy of culture within the Square Mile.

With major new development projects in the pipeline in the Culture Mile BID area, such as the new London Museum site at West Smithfield, the transformation of St. Paul’s gyratory, the new Resident Hotel arriving in 2027, the BID has identified areas of surrounding public realm for redevelopment to establish a connected neighbourhood.

This blueprint for the area will look to propose key improvements to the public realm, introducing new green spaces, expanded pedestrianised zones, more seating and more versatile cultural spaces. The plans will help to guide the £9million investment the Culture Mile BID is committing into the area in the remainder of its five-year tenure.

Formed after extensive consultation with the City of London Corporation, the London Borough of Islington, cultural organisations, developers and members of the public, the strategy represents a vision for the area and provides a considered overview of potential short-, medium- and longer-term projects.

These plans have been developed over the last 12 months with urban designers AR Urbanism and Steer, ensuring alignment with the City of London Corporation’s City Plan 2040, Transport Strategy and Climate Action Strategy and plans for Destination City.  

Priority areas include:

• Aldersgate Street and Barbican Gateway Area: This project could include widening the streets, increased pedestrianisation, new cycle paths and increased lighting and signage.
• Moorgate Yards: This area could see decorative paving for wayfinding, lighting improvements, more greening and planters, more outdoor seating, art activations.
• Coleman Street: The plans look at potential timed closure for traffic movement to increase pedestrianisation and to allow for spaces to be used for cultural activities, as well as extending footways and increasing greenery and seating.

This BID hopes to work in collaboration with partners to ensure the feasibility of various short- and medium-term projects, with a vision to realise the longer-term plans in the future. With a clear, cohesive and collective ambition for the future of the Culture Mile, this strategy will serve as a framework for public realm proposals in the neighbourhood.

Austin Casey, interim CEO of the Culture Mile, said, “As part of the City of London, the Culture Mile has been constantly evolving for the last 2,000 years. With the upcoming London Museum, due to open in 2026, as well as other projects in the pipeline, now is a pivotal moment for us as a BID to see how we can add to the momentum and contribute to the success of the area’s development. 

“Our new public realm vision and strategy aims to improve pedestrianisation, safety and sustainability in the area so we can welcome visitors to discover the hidden corners of the Culture Mile, while continuing to serve as a warm and inviting destination for residents and workers alike.” 

Shravan Joshi, chairman of the City of London Planning and Transportation Committee, said, “With a strong development pipeline in the City and in the Culture Mile, it’s vital that we improve our public realm to accommodate new workers and visitors to the area. We welcome the Culture Mile’s new vision for the area, alongside the other City BIDs’ plans to ensure we can transform the Square Mile in the best possible way.”

“The Culture Mile BID area is an important hub of historic and modern cultural activity, and increasing access through safety, sustainability and wayfinding improvements will help fulfil our Destination City vision, establishing the Square Mile as a vibrant cultural and dining destination.”

Richard Crappsley, Associate Director at AR Urbanism, said, “Our goal in developing the strategy was to provide a vision for transforming streets and spaces in the Culture Mile, that responds to the area's cultural institutions, celebrates the area's heritage and hidden spaces, and synergises with new development. In collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, potential partners, and the public, we've developed a set of transformational ideas for potential improvements.

“The improvements are conceptual at this stage, requiring further design development and consultation, nevertheless we hope this strategy serves as a clear framework to stimulate change in this vital, cultural area.”

Julie Bowerman, Director at Steer, said, “Talking to the many stakeholders here in the Culture Mile while bringing this strategy document together has revealed a shared vision and energy for change.  Through this project we discovered many opportunities to enhance the numerous rich and varied existing local assets.  A range of existing and new programmes have been brought together in what we hope is an inspiring framework for the future.”

The Culture Mile BID is already working to enliven the Culture Mile, with a series of cultural events and activations which utilise existing buildings and outdoor spaces.

In collaboration with EFG London Jazz Festival, the Culture Mile has introduced the festival’s first-ever pop-up venue, The Jazz Social, at Citypoint from 11 – 24 November. Additionally, there will be a diverse festive programme running through November and December including a craft fair at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Square, Christmas party at St. Alphage ruins and a Chanukah celebration.

The Culture Mile stretches from West Smithfield in Farringdon to Finsbury Circus Gardens in Moorgate. The destination is home to world-class cultural institutions such as the Barbican Centre and the future London Museum, as well as historic landmarks such as London Wall, Guildhall and St Bartholomew the Great church.