Pedestrian-Friendly London: Paving the Way to Healthier Streets

Talk

Thursday 12 June 2025
08:30 - 09:30

Join this Breakfast Talk to discover how transforming vehicle dominated streets into traffic-free public spaces could unlock a safer, more accessible London – putting people first.

For over 20 years, the London Festival of Architecture has been a testbed for temporary public realm improvements that prioritise people over cars. These short-term transformations, turning streets into traffic-free public spaces, have informed long-term change.

Since the introduction of social distancing measures in 2020, authorities worldwide have recognised the benefits of pedestrianised streets. Prioritising people over vehicles increases foot traffic, benefitting local economies, whilst also promoting public health and wellbeing through reduced air pollution and encouraging more active travel.

This breakfast talk, as part of the London Festival of Architecture, puts a spotlight on London’s car-free zones and explores the future of our streets.

Download Speaker Presentations

Freya_Stannard-Exhibition_Road_Cultural_Group.pdf
Karl_Brierley-LB_Camden.pdf
Cannon_Ivers-LDA.pdf

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Programme

08:00 Registration and Breakfast

08:30 Welcome from Chair
Rosa Rogina, Director, London Festival of Architecture

08:35 Strand Aldwych
Cannon Ivers, Director, LDA Design

08:45 Exhibition Road
Freya Stannard, Director, Exhibition Road Cultural Group

08:52 Camden High Street

Karl Brierley, Safe and Healthy Streets Team Manager, London Borough of Camden

08:59 Panel Discussion

Speakers above, plus:

Dan Johnson, Founder, Placemaking London

09:20 Q&A

09:30 End

Speaker biographies

Cannon Ivers

Director, LDA Design

Rosa Rogina

Associate Director, NLA

Freya Stannard

Director, Exhibition Road Cultural Group

Karl Brierley

Safe and Healthy Streets Team Manager, London Borough of Camden

Dan Johnson

Founder, Placemaking London

Venue

The London Centre
3 Aldermanbury
London
EC2V 7HH

ACCESSIBILITY

There are 4 steps to the main entrance, with a level access entrance via the Guildhall West Wing approximately 200 feet away. There are toilets and accessible toilets via stairs or a lift to the lower ground floor. If you would like more information, or have any access requirements, please let us know what these are and how we can best accommodate these by emailing events@nla.london.