Queen's Crescent
Queen’s Crescent
We contributed to the regeneration of Queen’s Crescent in the London Borough of Camden.
This is a key local high street, which features a historic market that dates to the 1870s. In recent years the market has declined, and some of the surrounding areas are amongst the most deprived in the Borough.
The project, commissioned by Camden Council, has dramatically improved the quality of public realm along Queen’s Crescent. New street trees and rain gardens have been introduced, bringing new greenery between market stalls and reducing excessive parking.
Ambitious new paving has been introduced at two key junctions, with a decorative crescent pattern on raised tables, which are also pedestrian priority spaces. A collection of other interventions, such as improved lighting, a community information board, and the reduction of street cluttering have improved the character of the high street overall.
The scheme was initially co-designed with the local community, using innovative engagement techniques, to trial tree placement and the delineation of key spaces. During the Covid 19 pandemic, road closures were trialled.
We provided transport and civil engineering services, supporting a team including East as lead consultant. We worked from the feasibility stage through to construction. During the feasibility and initial design stages, our work included a baseline transport analysis, review of parking and servicing, and swept path analysis, as well as careful liaison with many stakeholders.
During the detailed design stages, we worked on the design of tree pits, rain gardens, raised tables, drainage alterations, and alterations to road marking and signage. The use of creative and playful hard landscaping also meant close coordination with the architect to realise.
The project was back by GLA Good Growth funding and was successfully delivered and opened.
Client: Camden Council
Architect: East Architecture Landscape Urban Design
Images: Courtesy of the architect