CHANGING VALUES
 

Elephant & Castle occupies the geographical centre of London in a highly dynamic and gritty part of the city. For several years the London Borough of Southwark – which owns a large percentage of the social housing blocks in the vicinity – has sought innovative ways of transforming an area perhaps better known for its unattractive pink shopping centre, double traffic roundabout and run-down post-war housing blocks than its strong transport connections and proximity to cultural institutions and the River Thames. Today, the area demonstrates the vibrancy of London’s housing market, with a range of infill and conversion schemes that are attracting new residents with a broader economic profile.

Covering an area of 68.8 hectares with 5,300 new and replacement homes, 75,000 square metres of retail and commercial space that will bring 4,000 new jobs to the area, the objective of the current initiative is to “create a place that people travel to, not through”. Given the large costs of replacement housing and infrastructure, Southwark is currently searching for a development partner in the private sector to implement the £1.5bn scheme while securing public support from the diverse and engaged local residential communities. The central issue for Elephant & Castle is how to create a new public realm that connects and integrates its diverse, existing communities without creating social severance and conflict.