Urban design is essentially about place-making. Urban design is about the design of places, including the design of groups of buildings, the spaces between them, streets and whole areas, and the connections between them. Urban design transcends arguments about the architectural style of individual buildings and focuses instead on our total surroundings and our experience of the three-dimensional built environment.

Design of new development

Good design ensures attractive usable, durable and adaptable places and is a key element in achieving sustainable development. Good design is indivisible from good planning (Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1).

High quality and inclusive design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process. High quality and inclusive design should create well-mixed and integrated developments which avoid segregation and have well-planned public spaces that bring people together and provide opportunities for physical activity and recreation. It means ensuring a place will function well and add to the overall character and quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development. This requires carefully planned, high quality buildings and spaces that support the efficient use of resources. Although visual appearance and the architecture of individual buildings are clearly factors in achieving these objectives, securing high quality and inclusive design goes far beyond aesthetic considerations.

Attractive and lively buildings, street parks and neighbourhoods, especially those with a mixture of compatible uses and historic character, all contribute to making the area a special place which is a pleasure to live in. The quality of our surroundings is also now recognized as a vital factor in attracting and retaining businesses, employers and tourists.

Current government policy states that good design should:

  • address the connections between people and places by considering the needs of people to access jobs and key services;
  • be integrated into the existing urban form and the natural and built environments;
  • be an integral part of the processes for ensuring successful, safe and inclusive towns and cities;
  • create an environment where everyone can access and benefit from the full range of opportunities available to members of society; and,
  • consider the direct and indirect impacts on the natural environment.
  • be sustainable, durable and adaptable (including taking account of natural hazards such as flooding) and make efficient and prudent use of resources;
  • optimise the potential of the site to accommodate development, create and sustain an appropriate mix of uses (including incorporation of green and other public space as part of developments) and support local facilities and transport networks;
  • respond to their local context and create or reinforce local distinctiveness;
  • create safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder or fear of crime does not undermine quality of life or community cohesion;
  • address the needs of all in society and are accessible, usable and easy to understand by them; and
  • be visually attractive as a result of good architecture and appropriate landscaping

Waltham Forest does have some historic buildings, so it is important that we should preserve and enhance our architectural heritage. It is also vital that we strive to improve the quality of design of new development and avoid some of the mistakes of the past.

Public art

The Council encourages public art as an integral part of new development or refurbishments. Public art enriches our surroundings, symbolises community identity and adds value to developments.

Contact us

Sustainable Communities
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
London E17 4JF
tel 020 8496 3000
email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk