‘Made for Me’ proposal shortlisted in NLA’s 25 ideas to Reimagine London
In collaboration with Turley, Matter Space Soul, You See Media and Mend, our submission ‘Made for Me’ proposes interconnected hubs for accessibility, as part of a shortlist of ideas looking to tackle the capital’s most pressing challenges and provide solutions for London’s future.
NLA has today revealed the shortlisted ideas that reimagine London with innovative, community focussed visions to tackle some of London’s most pressing challenges including accessibility and sustainability.
Over a hundred ideas were received with more than half submitted by individuals or groups under 35 years old. Submitters were required to tackle a real issue London is currently facing and a focus on environmental sustainability and reclaiming streets for pedestrians were clear themes throughout the shortlist.
Our submission ‘Made for Me’ is a proposal for interconnected hubs for accessibility, retrofitted into pre-existing spaces and transport interchanges throughout London. The hubs could allow you to hire mobility and sensory aids, provide accessible toilets, provide seating, quiet rooms, lockers and information to support people in their daily lives and their journeys across the city.
Our Design team produced the proposal in collaboration with Turley, Matter Space Soul, You See Media and Mend.
In 2023, ‘Transport for All’ found 96% of disabled people face barriers to travel, every day.
Urban Designer, Niamh Brady added:
“As a disabled, neurodivergent and chronically ill woman, it feels incredible to see inclusive design and accessibility recognised on this scale. Creating people-centred places is a vital pillar in urban design and yet inclusive design is not a priority in a lot of cases. Creating inclusive, equitable places benefits everyone and I don’t believe we can brand our ‘public’ realm as such if it is not truly accessible for every member of the public. ‘Made for Me’ is just the first step in a wider vision to establish London as a world leader in inclusive and accessible city design.
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to raise awareness of the accessibility issues in our cities and so proud to be shortlisted for Reimagine London. I hope that we can bring more disabled voices to this space as we work to make our cities truly inclusive.”
Founder Director, Hannah Smart said:
“For us ‘Made for Me’ is the epitome of health, equality and recognising the needs of everyone at every walk of life. We don’t believe that our places are equitable or inclusive and our idea is only possible because we have identified unnecessary barriers to basic human rights that we can easily remove. We want to make London equitable for people, visitors, buildings, neighbourhoods and places. ‘Made for Me’, is an incredibly simple idea that can be big and small – a bespoke fit to each locality, which grows over time, eventually making every neighbourhood in London ‘Made for Me’. London is the catalyst for the Cities of the world.”
Accessibility was also a clear priority across other shortlisted submissions, with one group from London School of Architecture exploring how disabled communities use and navigate public spaces at night, emphasising the impact of inaccessible nighttime spaces on community areas, public facilities, and social venues.
Further ideas on the shortlist range from radical rethinking of how London’s underground network could be leveraged as urban farms, entertainment spaces and logistical routes, to a community striving to transform a concrete area of Waltham Forest into a vibrant and biodiverse community park.
Catherine Staniland, Director, NLA said:
“The wide range of fantastic submissions to Reimagine London demonstrate a wealth of ideas and talent from across the city. Despite its strengths, it is clear that London needs to work harder to prioritise quality of life for all its residents. We have the opportunity now to rise to the challenge of environmental adaptation in a way that brings tangible benefit to the quality of Londoners lives.
Successful cities are places that offer opportunities to all, enabling social mobility and generating innovation through new and creative collaborations. Accessibility to everyone is critical.
We support Sadiq Khan as he continues to make a fairer, greener, more prosperous and affordable city the key focus of his third Mayoral term and we must now work together across political, professional and community divides to turn these ideas into solutions.”
View the full shortlist and vote for London’s best new idea as part of the ‘People’s Choice’ here.
Launched in collaboration with the LDN Collective and sponsored by Derwent, Reimagine London is designed to reinforce London’s reputation as a world-leading centre for innovation, and drive valuable debate about the future of the city as it enters a new development cycle which offers the opportunity to address wider issues of planetary, social and spatial justice.
The International competition includes £10,000 prize fund for the best new ideas for London, with all shortlisted ideas to go on public display in central London exhibition. Winners will present their ideas to London’s top leaders and decision-makers at the London Real Estate Forum.
The shortlisted entries will now be judged by an international Jury including Amy Lamé, London Night Czar; Johanna Agerman Ross, Chief Curator, Design Museum; Adam Nathaniel Furman, Designer and Artist and Suresh Singh (@thecockneysikh), Architect, Author and Educator.
Winners will be revealed at a VIP reception in September.
