London’s high streets: life has never been normal
What does ‘normal’ look like anyway for London’s diverse and ever-evolving high streets? Fiona writes for the NLA, speculating on the future of high streets and the opportunities and challenges that may come in defending urban life.
Reflecting on our recent High Streets Adaptive Strategies research project in partnership with the GLA, Fiona observes how strategies explored in the research have incidentally been catalysed in the unprecedented circumstances of 2020. It is important to use this period to reflect on the consequences of the pandemic – to identify where we have and can continue to make changes in relation to home working, transport and healthier streets. It is vital not to forget the value that comes from community, physical proximity and inhabiting public spaces – it is more important than ever to defend models of urban life when looking towards a sustainable future.
