The Strand, Aldwych
The Strand, Aldwych
The Aldwych area, nestled in the heart of London, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Aldwych is rich and diverse, originally developed in the early 20th century as a grand thoroughfare, flanked by prestigious buildings and theatres. Over time, it evolved into a bustling commercial hub. However, changing urban needs and traffic management had begun to take a toll on its charm and functionality.
“A Vision for Aldwych”
LDA Design played a pivotal role in envisioning the revitalisation of Aldwych. Their work was grounded in the belief that urban spaces should be more than just thoroughfares; they should be vibrant, people-centric environments that promote sustainability and community engagement. Collaboration between LDA Design and Westminster Council, aimed to enhance the public realm by incorporating innovative urban design principles and environmentally friendly features, such as tree planting.
The primary goal was transforming Aldwych into a welcoming and attractive pedestrian space. This involved expanding pavements reducing vehicular traffic and creating designated areas for social interaction. The existing London Plane trees that lined the Aldwych were seen as valuable assets the design aimed to celebrate and preserve these trees.
Drawing inspiration from the Strand design, the project proposed unique street furniture. These pieces added aesthetic value and provide functionality, such as Wi-Fi hubs and charging points.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
The Aldwych area, nestled in the heart of London, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Aldwych is rich and diverse, originally developed in the early 20th century as a grand thoroughfare, flanked by prestigious buildings and theatres. Over time, it evolved into a bustling commercial hub. However, changing urban needs and traffic management had begun to take a toll on its charm and functionality.
“A Vision for Aldwych”
LDA Design played a pivotal role in envisioning the revitalisation of Aldwych. Their work was grounded in the belief that urban spaces should be more than just thoroughfares; they should be vibrant, people-centric environments that promote sustainability and community engagement. Collaboration between LDA Design and Westminster Council, aimed to enhance the public realm by incorporating innovative urban design principles and environmentally friendly features, such as tree planting.
The primary goal was transforming Aldwych into a welcoming and attractive pedestrian space. This involved expanding pavements reducing vehicular traffic and creating designated areas for social interaction. The existing London Plane trees that lined the Aldwych were seen as valuable assets the design aimed to celebrate and preserve these trees.
Drawing inspiration from the Strand design, the project proposed unique street furniture. These pieces added aesthetic value and provide functionality, such as Wi-Fi hubs and charging points.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
“Schemes like this one demonstrate the inherent value of high-quality public space, and how they can benefit residents, workers, and visitors helping to give London a global competitive edge and ensuring the central activities zone is for all not the few.”
Tree Planting with GreenBlue Urban
GreenBlue Urban, in collaboration with Street Tree Ltd, provided essential support for the tree planting aspect of the project. They introduced several innovative products and solutions to ensure the health and longevity of the trees including; StrataCell load-bearing soil cells, which provided a stable and supportive environment for tree roots, preventing soil compaction and allowing for healthy root growth. Geonet and reinforcing mesh were used to improve soil structure and stability with RootDirector’s guiding roots away from paved areas, preventing damage to pavements and roadways, ArborGuy Deadman Anchors ensured the stability of the trees in high-traffic areas. RootRain ArborVents promoted aeration and root health by allowing oxygen to penetrate the soil.
The project incorporated creative design interventions to enhance the public experience with a range of street furniture strategically placed, inspired by the design language of the Strand. These included benches, tree wraps, and seats located near bus stops. These additions tied the Aldwych area together aesthetically and functionally.
“Schemes like this one demonstrate the inherent value of high-quality public space, and how they can benefit residents, workers, and visitors helping to give London a global competitive edge and ensuring the central activities zone is for all not the few.”
Tree Planting with GreenBlue Urban
GreenBlue Urban, in collaboration with Street Tree Ltd, provided essential support for the tree planting aspect of the project. They introduced several innovative products and solutions to ensure the health and longevity of the trees including; StrataCell load-bearing soil cells, which provided a stable and supportive environment for tree roots, preventing soil compaction and allowing for healthy root growth. Geonet and reinforcing mesh were used to improve soil structure and stability with RootDirector’s guiding roots away from paved areas, preventing damage to pavements and roadways, ArborGuy Deadman Anchors ensured the stability of the trees in high-traffic areas. RootRain ArborVents promoted aeration and root health by allowing oxygen to penetrate the soil.
The project incorporated creative design interventions to enhance the public experience with a range of street furniture strategically placed, inspired by the design language of the Strand. These included benches, tree wraps, and seats located near bus stops. These additions tied the Aldwych area together aesthetically and functionally.
The transformation of Aldwych into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space, with a focus on preserving green assets and incorporating innovative design elements, stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between LDA Design, Westminster Council, GreenBlue Urban, and Street Tree Ltd. This case study highlights how urban design can blend history, sustainability, and functionality to create thriving urban spaces for the community to enjoy.
Aldwych now stands as a shining example of urban revitalisation and green urbanism in the heart of London.
The transformation of Aldwych into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space, with a focus on preserving green assets and incorporating innovative design elements, stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between LDA Design, Westminster Council, GreenBlue Urban, and Street Tree Ltd. This case study highlights how urban design can blend history, sustainability, and functionality to create thriving urban spaces for the community to enjoy.
Aldwych now stands as a shining example of urban revitalisation and green urbanism in the heart of London.
