Placemaking & Public Realm

📈 Driving meaningful change in the built environment across the Culture Mile

Introduction

⚪ Through the development of our Public Realm Vision and Strategy we analysed the character areas, public spaces, nodes of connectivity and heritage assets that form the identity of the Culture Mile BID area. Our ambitious spatial placemaking strategy is guided by four key objectives:

– Welcome to the Culture Mile

– A Place for People

– Exploring the Culture Mile

– Going Beyond the Name

Underpinning our vision is a project bank identifying short, medium and long-term improvement opportunities that support the BID priorities and respond to the City of London Corporation wider policy aspirations to ‘shape outstanding environments’ as set out in the Draft City Plan 2040.

🤝 Since the BID’s successful ballot, we have been working with our members, property owners, community groups and delivery partners including the City of London Corporation to develop and implement our first phase of short-term greening and public realm interventions. Phase one includes new and enhanced planting schemes at 1 Long Lane, St. Bartholemew’s Hospital (north and south entrances) and London Wall.

👇 Read more below about how we achieved our project priorities across the different sites and see how we are celebrating the story of the Culture Mile through community engagement and interpretative signage and wayfinding.

Project Priorities

⚪ To focus on spaces within the opportunity areas identified in the Public Realm Vision and Strategy that can be utilised for temporary placemaking interventions and pilot projects.

⚪ Sites chosen should be considered in the context of area wide public realm improvements to inform longer term transformational projects.

⚪ To create robust yet flexible assets such as modular planters and seating that allows for adaptability and implementation in a variety of site contexts.

⚪ To continue strengthening stakeholder relationships and partnerships with key cultural institutions such as the Barbican, Bart’s Heritage, London Museum and others.

⚪ To work with our businesses and local community groups to ensure we are responding to local needs and aspirations.

⚪ By working collaboratively, we want to encourage stewardship and sustainable management of the spaces we are changing.

⚪ To celebrate the history and heritage of the Culture Mile through storytelling and creating a sense of place.

Projects

– St Bartholomew’s Hospital (North and South Entrances) – Improving existing infrastructure and introducing therapeutic, sensory planting.

– 1 Long Lane – creating new public realm with vibrant planters, integrated seating, and enhanced greenery.

– London Wall – trialling innovative planting approaches that reflect the wild, historic character of the Roman ruins.

📄 Pilot Projects

– Working with Existing Infrastructure – enhancing St Bartholomew’s Hospital grounds for wellbeing and community use.

– Creating New Public Realm – Long Lane gains new planters and seating to improve usability and visual appeal.

– Innovative Planting Approaches – London Wall showcases resilient, biodiversity-focused species native to the British Isles.

🌳 Planting Palettes & Placemaking

– Tailored planting schemes for each site, designed to improve biodiversity, climate resilience, and air quality.

– Bespoke planters reflect surrounding architecture and provide storytelling opportunities via signage, illustrations, and QR codes linking to Culture Mile greening resources.

– All new greening sites include a dedicated maintenance plan, in partnership with private landowners and the City of London Gardens team.

Community Engagement

🤝 Residents and local businesses are actively invited to take part in planting and maintaining these spaces, strengthening connections between people and place.

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Story So Far

🏆 Since 2023, Culture Mile BID has:

– Commissioned Publica, an urban design consultancy, to design new planting schemes and bespoke planters.

– Introduced new pockets of greenery and seating across St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Long Lane, and London Wall.

– Aligned all projects with the City of London Biodiversity Action Plan (2021–2026) and the Draft City Plan 2040, supporting climate resilience, biodiversity, and public amenity.

– Created immersive, multi-sensory planting palettes: calming and therapeutic at St Bartholomew’s, lively and dynamic at Long Lane, and wild and historic at London Wall.

🌳 Through these interventions, Culture Mile BID is turning streets and spaces into greener, healthier, and more engaging destinations for visitors, workers, and residents alike.

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