Londoners Making London

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.