Setting out the vision for Whitechapel

Press release issued by London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Famed for its colourful history and cultural buzz, Whitechapel is about to embark on an unprecedented transformation.

With the arrival of Crossrail in 2018, this well-known part of east London will soon be better connected and within easy reach of an additional 1.5 million commuters from counties as far as Essex and Berkshire.

Last night (11 March 2013), Tower Hamlets Council launched ‘Whitechapel Vision’ – an exciting project that will build on these changes and local aspirations to take this famous part of the City’s borders into the future, with residents at the heart of the plans.

Working with international and award-winning urban design practice BDP, Tower Hamlets Council will kick-start this project by producing a new masterplan for Whitechapel.

Produced in consultation with local residents and key stakeholders in the area, the masterplan will help develop Whitechapel as a new and vibrant area for London that will not only retain existing business and the bustling market, but attract new investors.

Over the coming months, BDP will be inviting local stakeholders – residents, businesses, the local hospital and university, places of worship, housing providers and landowners – to share their ideas and aspirations for the area, so that all bodies work collaboratively to produce a cohesive and deliverable masterplan for the area.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman, executive mayor of Tower Hamlets, is the driving force behind the project. He said: “Whitechapel Vision is about initiating change for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors in the area.

“We’re really excited that the arrival of Crossrail will mean Whitechapel is better connected to stations like Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road, and more accessible to counties further afield.

“This project will help us elevate Whitechapel, bring in investment and showcase what the area has to offer the rest of London, and beyond.”
BDP was selected following a competitive tender process which attracted submissions from a number of the country’s leading architectural and urban design practices.

It was chosen on the basis of its excellent experience and international reputation, and success in delivering similar masterplan projects, including for the Liverpool One scheme.

Nick Edwards, Urbanism Director at BDP, said: “We are extremely privileged to have been selected to work with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the local community and other stakeholders to deliver a new vision for Whitechapel.

“Due to our continuing work on Whitechapel’s much anticipated Crossrail station, we already have a close connection with the area and look forward to utilising our extensive experience of delivering similar successful urban regeneration projects to help unlock Whitechapel’s potential.”