Islington’s plans for a facelift for Old Street have just won a prestigious national architecture award. The redevelopment design, ‘Promenade of Light’, created on behalf of Islington Council and EC1 New Deal for Communities by local architects Tonkin Lui, won first prize in the ‘Urban Space by Design - unbuilt’ category of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards, announced on Thursday 2 June.<br><br>The important thoroughfare gains national recognition in the same week as the launch of a major Islington Council consultation on wider environmental improvements for the A1 between Goswell Road and Archway.<br><br>The redevelopment of this section of Old Street, a joint collaboration between Islington Council and EC1 New Deal for Communities, seeks to recreate the area as a more accessible space, which will serve a variety of needs of local residents. It incorporates opening up spaces for recreational use, tree planting, new seating and streetscape elements, as well as the introduction of feature lighting.<br><br>Councillor Bridget Fox, Executive Member for Sustainability, said: “I am delighted that the ‘Promenade of Light’ design has won such a major award. The project is a great example of how the council is working with the community to provide a better environment for Islington and Finsbury. Residents around Old Street will now be getting the cleaner, greener and safer streets we all want and it's great this has been recognised with this award." <br><br>Significant community consultation was undertaken to ensure the design created was consistent with community needs and expectations. <br><br>A spokesperson from EC1 New Deal for Communities said: “We’re pleased these designs have received such acclaim. Importantly, the local community has been able to play a major role in recommending improvements to the original plans including more plants and trees, better lighting and the use of natural colours and materials for street furniture.”<br><br>The redevelopment of Old Street is an integral part of the EC1 Public Space Strategy. The strategy, which provides an overall plan for improvements to the public open spaces on streets, parks, and estates in EC1, was agreed by EC1 New Deal and Islington Council in 2004.<br><br>The ‘Promenade of Light’ design will be on display at an exhibition of 40 shortlisted projects open to the public at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 until 30 June 2005.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009