Boris announces plans to revamp London
Tuesday, 10 March 2009 11:06 AM
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has today announced his plans to revamp the capital's public spaces.
'Great Spaces' will champion existing public spaces which currently have poor access or are unwelcoming and unattractive.
The aim is to help transform some of the city's better as well as lesser known streets, squares, parks and riverside walks into places Londoners and visitors will want to use and enjoy all year round.
The Mayor said: "I am determined to do all I can to lead London through this recession and ensure it emerges stronger than ever. Key to that is improving our quality of life and environment, and it is the capital's public spaces that make London such a wonderful, engaging city and help attract millions of visitors every year.
"But we need to take a closer look at some of the hidden treasures as well as the well known spaces that abound - spaces that are currently difficult to use and unwelcoming - and turn them into something great.
"London is still a top destination for tourists and for businesses setting up shop here and I want to improve on our already unrivalled offer. This scheme is about building on what is already good and encouraging new ideas to create even more great spaces across the city for everyone to enjoy."
£200,000 has been set aside this year to enable Great Space projects to carry out feasibility or design work and to help in their promotion.
Architect and masterplanner, Sir Terry Farrell, CBE, said: "I fully support Boris Johnson's latest commitment to revitalise some of the capital's unique public spaces. For too many years the focus of creating new urban spaces has been towards inner London.
"The vital role played by our town centres and communities in the suburbs has been overlooked and I would actively encourage local authorities in the suburbs to participate in the Mayor's initiative as these areas contain some of the most important drivers of London's future success."
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