As the first of its kind in southwest London, this project sets a powerful example for leaders across other London boroughs, showcasing the potential of street reclamation. While we often discuss the idea of prioritising people over cars, concrete action to transform our streets and meet the needs of local communities is still lacking. The initiative in Kennington Oval aims to inspire others to reimagine their local streets and embrace the challenge of improving them, fostering healthier and more sustainable travel choices.

Lambeth Council has embraced this challenge by commissioning a design team comprising landscape architect (CTF), transport engineer (ABA) and community engagement specialist (Streets reimagined). Our goal, as a team, was to analyse the study area, identify opportunities and create designs that encourage sustainable travel choices while enhancing safety, particularly to boost children’s confidence in navigating urban spaces.

Kennington Oval presents a unique setting, with few residential entrances opening directly onto the street but most bedrooms overlooking it. This makes fostering the ambiance of a tranquil back garden especially fitting for the area. We were delighted to collaborate with the local community, council, and stakeholders, aiming to lay the groundwork for lasting streetscape transformations.

By incorporating strategically placed planters of varying heights and widths, tailored to suit different streetscapes, along with expanded pavements and sitting areas, we have created a more pedestrian-friendly environment. As frequent walkers and cyclists ourselves, we recognise areas for improvement in our surroundings, such as a need for more contraflow cycle lanes on one-way streets, provision of additional seating and resting points along cycle routes and widening of lanes to enhance usability. Our passion lies in ensuring these spaces are accessible, inclusive, and designed to be enjoyed from multiple perspectives.

Located just around the corner from our office, we had the unique opportunity to observe the trial throughout its six-month activation. These regular visits provided valuable insights into what a permanent scheme could accomplish and how it could be implemented. We’re excited to see what comes next!