Skip to content
Shopping — Environment — Food-and-drink — Fashion-and-beauty — Lifestyle — Home-and-garden — Relationships — Pets — Cars — travel

Updates from City Hall: Jules Pipe's Insider Reports

London's Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and Fire Services, Jules Pipe, shares insights about the Greater London Authority's recently launched Town Architect initiative with AT. He elaborates on the duties of these new town architects and offers a peek at their expected contributions.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
London's Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and Fire Services, Jules Pipe, discusses the new...
London's Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and Fire Services, Jules Pipe, discusses the new Town Architect initiative by the Greater London Authority with AT. He outlines the responsibilities of these new Town Architects and previews their expected impact.

Updates from City Hall: Jules Pipe's Insider Reports

Hearin' 'Bout the Town Architects Ruvvin' London!

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and the Fire Service in bustlin' Londontown, spills the beans on the snazzy new Town Architect program spearheaded by the Greater London Authority. Nope, it ain't about architects with a regional injection of charm—but close!

Ten bubbly, talented individuals have stomped onto the scene as Town Architects under this exciting pilot scheme. Each one got their special assignment, from Ilford and Hackney Central to Uxbridge and Northolt. Take a peek!

  • Jas Bhalla: Ilford, LB Redbridge
  • Adam Khan: Abbey Wood, LB Greenwich
  • Ken Okonkwo: Barking Riverside, LB Barking and Dagenham
  • Holly Lewis: Hackney Central, LB Hackney
  • Hilary Satchwell: Angel Edmonton, LB Enfield
  • Farshid Moussavi: Lewisham & Catford town centres, LB Lewisham
  • Paul Monaghan: Croydon town centre, LB Croydon
  • Tom Holbrook: Brentford, LB Hounslow
  • Julian Lewis: Uxbridge & Hayes Town centres, LB Hillingdon
  • Alice Fung: Northolt, LB Ealing

Eager t' know what these new faces are all about? Let's take a gander!

The Town Architects stick together with local boroughs, helping 'em steer the ship to design excellence where there's a major opportunity for development and a need to spruce up the area a bit. Our new Town Architects will also offer a helping hand to navigating tricky relationships between public and private stakeholders as they work on strategy for urban development and public spaces across the city.

But hold your horses, mates! Each Town Architect's duties have been tweaked to suit the local need, so don't expect 'em all to be cut from the same cloth.

These folks'll be hopping on a tightrope with borough Chief Placeshaping Officers and Design Champions. That'll mean offering constructive feedback and challenges, helping with major developments, conducting design research, contributing to strategic visions, and developin' best practices.

But wait, there's more! They might even supply a boost to a borough's in-house capacity, like organize design review panels or provide office training in design.

We've noticed that investin' in solid design 'round here can help unclog development opportunities and smooth the planning decision-makin' process. Let's get some 'xperts embedded in the boroughs we're proud of, and see those designs起飞!

Now, let's git down to nitty-gritty:

Meet the Players

The Town Architect

Leads design locally: Champions high-quality, sustainable, and resilient urban design across all phases of developmentPolicy and Guidance: Shaping and implementin' sound design policies that align with the London PlanAdvocacy and Engagement: Advocating for design excellence amongst devs & the community, gatherin' feedback, and buildin' consensusCasework and Review: Reviewin' planning applications with expert design adviceCapacity Building: Supportin' design and planning officers' professional development

The Chief Placemaking Officer

Strategic oversight: Ensuring design quality and sustainability in strategic decisions for placemakingCross-disciplinary collaboration: Fostering collaborations between infrastructure providers, devs, and community groupsCapacity and awareness: Educatin', trainin', and informin' staff, elected members, and partners on design quality and best practicesAdvocacy: Advocating for design excellence, resilience, and resource allocation at senior levels

The Design Champion

Supportin' town architects: Helpin' implement design policies and guidelines for projectsCapacity and awareness: Educatin' staff, elected members, and partners on design quality and best practicesAdvocacy: Advocatin' for design excellence, community needs, and quality assurance within projects

A little bird tells me that a successful scheme will reflect the principles of Good Growth—encompassin' urban change that's socially and economically inclusive, accessible, and top-notch. Here's to better designs for Londoners and visitors alike!

  1. The Town Architects form relationships with local boroughs to steer development and enhance urban design, addressing the need for public spaces in London.
  2. Each Town Architect adapts their duties according to the specific requirements of their designated location, such as Ilford, Hackney Central, Uxbridge, and Northolt.
  3. The Town Architects collaborate with Chief Placemaking Officers and Design Champions, offering constructive feedback, contributions to strategic visions, and support in professional development.
  4. As part of their duties, Town Architects may organize design review panels, provide office training, and supply a boost to a borough's in-house capacity for design.
  5. Investing in excellent design can unclog development opportunities and streamline the planning decision-making process, ensuring better designs for Londoners and visitors.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest