The project to create the Lea River Park has won the prestigious International Urban Landscape Silver Award.
The Lea River Park is the ambitious project putting park space at the heart of the Lower Lea Valley’s regeneration. The park will consist of six new public spaces between the Olympic Park and the River Thames, linked by the Fatwalk – a six kilometre linear parkland with footpaths and cycleways, new bridges and towpaths. It is one of the Mayor’s Great Spaces and is part of the East London Green Grid.
The International Urban Landscape Award 2010 honours groundbreaking, newly built or redeveloped urban architecture such as housing estates and recognises initiatives, concepts or designs on sustainable urban development. The award is supported by Eurohypo and Topos magazine.
The Lea River Park was one of five international projects shortlisted for the award.
London Development Agency (LDA) Group Director for Design Development and Environment Peter Bishop said:
"Winning this prestigious award bring international recognition to our plans for east London, building a lasting Olympic legacy before the 2012 games. The Lea River Park will be an exciting new park which draws on the Lower Lea Valley's industrial landscape and heritage and will be a central part of the area’s regeneration."
London Thames Gateway Development Corporation Chief Executive Peter Andrews said:
"The Lea River Park project is central to our plans to unlock the potential of the Lower Lea Valley. By improving access and enhancing the quality of the environment it will be the spur for encouraging high quality development and contribute to transforming the area into a very special place."
Head of Design for London, Mark Brearley said:
"This award celebrates another great piece of the dramatic upgrade of green spaces across East London. Design for London is thrilled to be working together with a wide range of partners and collaborators to deliver this exciting project. We are now putting out the message that the stage is set for a dramatic increase in the popular use of the extraordinary spaces of the Lower Lea Valley. "
The park development is being led by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, in partnership with the Design for London and the LDA, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, and the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham.
The project has been defined by the Lea River Park Design Framework and was developed by a team led by 5th Studio.
The Award was made last night in Frankfurt. The award comes with €15,000 prize money for the project.
For further information, please contact the LDA News Team: Robert Beasley 020 7593 8437; out of hours 07977 439371; public enquiries 020 7593 9000.
Notes for editors
1. Design for London is a regional design resource for London. They are part of the London Development Agency (LDA) and work on behalf of the Mayor of London. Their role is to help the LDA ensure a design led approach to delivering improvements to infrastructure and the built environment in London. Design for London work with the boroughs and others to support the delivery of good urban change and well-designed projects across London.
2. The London Development Agency works across the capital to unlock the potential of London and Londoners and sustain its economic growth by:
- supporting businesses to grow and succeed
- tackling climate change
- promoting London internationally
- catalysing local regeneration and improving the public realm
- helping workless Londoners to get into work and stay in work
- making the most of the business, skills and regeneration opportunities from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
3. The Lea River Park Design Framework was developed by a team led by 5th Studio Architects and finalised in mid 2008.
4. The project is being led by London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
5. The project uses funding from Communities and Local Government, the Homes and Communities Agency and the London Development Agency.
6. The East London Green Grid project is improving East London's provision of open space and providing a range of formal and informal recreational uses and landscapes. Design for London is working with a wide range of local and strategic partners to plan and deliver this network of open spaces, natural landscapes, river corridors and the connections between.
7. The Mayor’s Great Spaces Initiative is supporting the revitalising of the capital’s unique of public spaces, and celebrating how London is transforming its streets, squares, parks and riverside walks into places people will want to use and enjoy all year round. Design for London, the London Development Agency and Transport for London are working closely with London’s boroughs on this major initiative that will drive up quality, celebrate success and help make London a better place.
For further information please contact the LDA Media Team: Robert Beasley 020 7593 8437 LDA out of hours: 07977 439371 Public enqs: 020 7593 9000