Londoners Making London tells the story of nine projects that have re-defined local community-driven urban regeneration. Countering the expectation that the development of cities is controlled only by powerful developers, this book demonstrates that transformational change is increasingly driven not by architects or planners, but by individuals who, through their conviction and determination – often against all odds – have created better places for and with their communities. In areas such as Wandsworth, Shoreditch and Wood Green, young and old can be seen working together to create more cohesive, attractive and prosperous pockets of their city. Colourful street parties, urban gardening, activated shop fronts, invigorated empty spaces, or re-designed neighbourhoods are some of the stories which illustrate what can be done when people work together. In-depth interviews with instigators, community activists, campaigners and self-builders illuminate the projects, reveal what we might learn from them and how we might scale up their impact. The book talks about Londoners, the most multi-cultural citizens of Europe; about making, in the sense of employing creativity and industry to produce goods or to forward social change; and about London, a city of almost 600 high streets and town centres, with its enhanced sense of neighbourhood, empowering communities to effect change locally. Some of the projects take years to materialize, while some last for just a day. This book captures both permanent physical change and transformative but ephemeral events, for the first time providing a comprehensive and permanent record of the events leading up to seminal moments in London’s recent history of regeneration. For anyone seeking to change their community for the better, Londoners Making London offers the tools and inspiration to turn passion into action.
