In cities around the world, shared micromobility, such as dockless e-bikes and e-scooters, is emerging as a vital piece of the urban mobility puzzle. But too often, the rollout of these schemes is reactive rather than strategic.
We started to look at how we could help local authorities and urban planners take control of shared micromobility schemes. Rather than waiting for operators to knock on the door, cities can now proactively plan where these schemes will work best – plugging transport gaps, supporting decarbonisation goals and improving public realm outcomes.
From complex GIS models to click-and-go insights
Originally born from the world of site suitability analysis in GIS, Micromobility Planner began life as a highly technical process – layering complex datasets to model demand hotspots for micromobility hubs.
But as we worked with more clients, we saw the need for a simpler, more accessible solution.
The result? A powerful, intuitive tool that delivers insights in seconds, No GIS expertise is required and what used to take days of processing and formatting can now be done in a few clicks. The tool maps factors like population density, connectivity gaps and existing infrastructure to reveal optimal locations for parking bays and vehicle deployment.
Case study: Mississauga leads the way
One standout project was for the City of Mississauga, just west of Toronto. Faced with growing interest from e-bike and e-scooter operators, the city chose not to simply react. Instead, they partnered with Momentum and Spatial Design Hub to take a plan-led approach, shaping their shared scheme based on community needs, not just commercial offers.
This approach not only ensured better infrastructure planning, such as dedicated parking, but also helped avoid the pitfalls of poorly-managed schemes, like pavement clutter and inconsistent service.
Empowering local authorities
One of the most exciting aspects of Micromobility Planner is how it empowers local authorities. With quick, data-driven insights at their fingertips, cities can engage confidently with private operators, aligning schemes with public policy goals rather than purely commercial incentives.
Where operators may push for vehicle locations that maximise profits, authorities using the tool can prioritise transport equity – ensuring underserved communities gain access and encouraging mode shift away from cars.
The broader challenge: infrastructure, investment and acceptance
While Micromobility Planner addresses one critical part of the puzzle – where to place vehicles and parking – it also sits within a broader context. For shared micromobility to succeed long-term, it needs to be supported by the right infrastructure: safe cycle lanes, intuitive parking and consistent design standards.
As seen in central London boroughs like Camden, dedicated parking bays (which can even be just a painted box) can make a big difference. By integrating micromobility into the streetscape and reducing clutter, small changes such as this can make schemes more acceptable to residents and businesses.
Wider systemic questions also remain. Should privately-operated micromobility schemes receive public support, like their docked counterparts (eg Santander Cycles in London)? How do we encourage everyday use beyond weekend leisure trips? And how do we plan for longevity in a sector that’s seen operators rise and fall rapidly?
What’s next?
As shared micromobility continues to evolve, tools like Micromobility Planner are essential for putting public interest first. By combining cutting-edge data modelling with user-friendly design, we can help cities make smart, evidence-based decisions – whether they’re just starting their micromobility journey or refining an existing scheme.
Because in the end, the goal isn’t just more scooters on our streets. It’s a better, cleaner, more connected city for everyone.
The demand for industrial space in the UK has risen dramatically over the past few years due to the explosion of e-commerce. Online sales made up 26% of retail sales in October 2023 compared to 19.1% in October 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics, and despite the cost-of-living crisis affecting consumer spending, when consumers do spend online, they usually expect fast deliveries.
That’s creating demand for warehousing units in prime distribution areas like Mitcham, south London. Here, Kingston Space Property (KSP) has acquired an 11-acre industrial site and an adjoining 2.5-acre site to create a new, sustainable prime urban logistics park, and we have been working with KSP on the transport infrastructure which is needed to unlock the development potential of the two sites.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have a part to play at sites like this, helping to make deliveries more sustainable. In city centres, electric cargo bikes can be added to the mix for last-mile deliveries. As they don’t have the same capabilities as a diesel-powered or an electric van, the base they run from and to needs to be closer to city centres, which means industrial use is going to creep further towards city centres.
Developing a successful consolidation strategy
Consolidation centres (where multiple deliveries are consolidated onto a single vehicle before they reach a city centre) could also dramatically reduce the amount of van mileage within urban areas. However, putting in place a successful consolidation strategy can feel like trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole – it goes against the way that delivery habits have evolved organically in city centres.
We recommend to our clients that when tenants sign up to occupy part of an office building, they should place orders through the facilities management team of the building. That means instead of multiple deliveries of milk from different suppliers, for example, there is one delivery from a single supplier. That strategy works best when it’s a new building rather than an existing operational one, and although that means change will happen on a small scale initially, suppliers could start to take note of new delivery patterns, leading to greater use of consolidation centres.
Multi-level developments could become commonplace
The significant loss of industrial land to residential, coupled with the rise of online deliveries, means that multi-storey or multi-level developments are likely to become commonplace in the near future.
In Asia and some parts of Europe these types of schemes are already prevalent and successful, and examples are now springing up in London.
Industria in Barking provides 45 industrial warehouse and creative space units across multiple levels, and SEGRO V-Park Grand Union, a light industrial multi-level space in Park Royal, was completed in April 2024.
These developments change the nature of how the industrial market operates. They include shared meeting rooms, breakout spaces and wellness spaces. In terms of transport, there is a shared yard or loading area for HGVs, EV charging points and cycle parking or storage.
Is co-location still ‘one to watch’?
Co-location, also known as ‘beds and sheds’, with industrial land use on the ground floor and residential use on top, continues to be seen as a challenge with varying degrees of success in London. The two uses are seemingly incompatible, and it’s about finding a way to make them work in harmony.
The latest fire regulations for residential markets, which have implications for the height of certain buildings, will make the concept more challenging, and we agree with Turley’s report Co-Location in London: Is it still stacking up? that it has been a testing time for co-location as a concept. However, as that report concludes, the more that co-location is seen to work in practice, the more that confidence in the concept may grow.
Momentum Transport Consultancy is proud to celebrate another successful planning consent in the City of London, as Seventy Gracechurch Street receives approval this week. This marks the latest in a series of high-profile projects where Momentum has helped secure planning approval for major commercial developments over the past 14 months.
Our recent work includes:
- 55 Old Broad Street: for Landsec, a key transformation in the heart of the City which will be net zero in both construction and operation.
- 75 London Wall: a striking ‘landscraper’ refurbishment for Castleforge, reimagining office space for the future.
- 99 Bishopsgate: a new 54-storey office tower of exceptional design quality combined with over 60,000 sq ft of vibrant and inclusive public and cultural amenities, set to transform the northern gateway into the City Cluster for Brookfield Properties and RSHP and approved just 10 days ago
- Seventy Gracechurch Street: . An ambitious mixed use tower scheme within the City of London where Momentum has coordinated on the delivery of transport planning and highway design outputs. The scheme will deliver enhanced north-south pedestrian connectivity by improving access to Leadenhall Market, improving permeability and reducing pressure on nearby footways.
Recent forecasts suggest a shortage of new tower schemes in the City by 2028. With future supply tightening, tenants are already responding by securing longer leases of 10 to 15 years -significantly longer than the previous standard of five years. This shift highlights the increasing demand for high-quality office space, as businesses seek to secure their long-term presence in a competitive market.
Momentum’s role in these schemes reflects our deep understanding of complex transport and movement strategies, and public realm design, to support sustainable, high-density developments. From assessing pedestrian flow and cycle connectivity to ensuring seamless integration with the wider transport network and public realm enhancements, we provide innovative solutions that enhance the future of London’s built environment.
As the City continues to evolve, we look forward to helping shape the developments of the future, that are not only commercially successful but also create vibrant, accessible, and sustainable places for the people who live and work in them.
Image © Brookfield Properties / 99 Bishopsgate
Late last year, the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care launched Change NHS, a consultation on landmark efforts to modernise and rebuild the National Health Service. The initiative has three key ambitions: moving care from hospitals to communities, making better use of technology and focussing on preventing sickness, rather than just treating it.
The integration of transport and public health planning.
While public health is conventionally approached from the realms of medicine and government, our work at Momentum demonstrates that the built environment impacts profoundly upon well-being. We seek to reverse our sector’s traditional model of car-dominated development, which contributes significantly to harmful emissions, sedentary lifestyles and preventable injuries. We are committed to forging creative mobility solutions which encourage public transport uptake, safe and accessible active travel, and green, healthy streets for a diverse range of users.
Poorly designed housing and car-dependent urban planning limit opportunities for active travel and reduce access to green spaces while contributing to social isolation. These factors contribute to long-term health issues such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health challenges, all of which place significant strain on the NHS.
Planning for health
In December 2024, Momentum submitted an organisational response to Change NHS, arguing that there must be closer alignment between health policy and planning system reforms.
The links between poor air quality and respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health conditions are well documented, as are the health benefits of green spaces and outdoor play areas. Access to parks and green corridors has a proven positive impact on mental health, physical activity and social cohesion. Genuinely accessible, public green spaces are particularly important for children, the elderly, and disadvantaged communities.
The broader impacts of a poorly designed built environment – ranging from road injuries to sedentary behaviour – are significant public health concerns. Road traffic accidents alone resulted in over 28,000 deaths and serious injuries in the UK in 2022, while inactivity linked to car-dependent development is a leading cause of preventable chronic disease. Such outcomes disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, as poorer communities often live in areas with inadequate infrastructure for active travel or safe outdoor play.
The planning system should be harnessed to create healthier living environments by embedding health impact assessments into the approval process for new developments. These should evaluate factors like housing quality, access to green and play spaces, and opportunities for active travel. Developments that are likely to have long-term negative health impacts should face planning penalties, with funds redirected to support NHS initiatives and infrastructure improvements. The recent decision by Great Ormond Street Hospital to include postcode-level air pollution data in patient care recognises that health outcomes are deeply shaped by where and how people live.
Our recommendations
The NHS 10-Year Health Plan represents a critical opportunity to address the root causes of poor health outcomes by reforming the planning system to create healthier, more sustainable built environments. By embedding health considerations into planning policy and incentivising good development while penalising harmful practices, the NHS can reduce the long-term healthcare burden and improve population health for generations to come.
Specifically, Momentum has the following recommendations to help the government deliver on its 10-Year Health Plan:
• Embedding health impact assessments into the planning process to evaluate the long-term health effects of new developments.
• Encouraging developments that prioritise active travel, access to green/play spaces, and high housing standards, while penalising developments that fail to meet these benchmarks.
• Establishing a cross-departmental framework to align NHS reforms with planning policies, ensuring coordination between the Department of Health & Social Care and departments such as Transport, Environment, and Housing.
• Funding mechanisms to direct penalties from poor developments towards NHS infrastructure and preventive health initiatives.
• Expanding place-based initiatives to integrate “healthy streets,” active travel networks, and green spaces into urban and rural planning.
Healthy streets as preventative care
Since the consultation closed to organisational responses, the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report, Health in Cities, further underscored the role that urban design can play in fostering well-being: outlining how food environments, transport emissions and healthcare service planning all contribute to community wellness.
We believe a progressive, strategic approach to transport planning interacts with the three stated goals of Change NHS: moving care from hospitals to communities; making better use of technology; and (3) focussing on preventing sickness, rather than just treating it.
Shift 1: Moving care from hospitals to communities
The shift of care from hospitals into communities requires appropriate travel planning, strategically integrated with the land-use planning needed to facilitate this transition. In the UK, transport regularly charts as the highest emitting sector. New community-based treatment sites should be well-connected to public transport networks with genuinely accessible options communicated to site users and staff.
These sites also present a unique opportunity to set precedent for public space activation to promote healthy streets. One such example is the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Play Street, an experimental pedestrianisation which allowed patients, families and staff to enjoy social activities and clean air when the hospital frontage was temporarily closed to traffic.
Shift 2: What are the biggest challenges and enablers to making better use of technology in health and care?
In line with GOSH’s decision to factor local air pollution data into diagnostics and treatment, we encourage a community-based care system to draw upon existing data related to public transport accessibility, casualty statistics, and other pollution databases. This would allow design teams for new centres to act as “intelligent clients,” advocating for the relevant funding, support or infrastructural investment where problems are identified in their environs.
When it comes to active travel uptake, local clinics could provide wellness training associated with the use of micromobility applications and other shared bike and scooter hire, encouraging their wider accessibility to a diverse range of users. Groups like Transport for All can assist with skills sharing and public educational programming for community members with additional mobility needs.
Other technology can support the greening of the healthcare fleet through consolidation schemes, targeting the impacts of deliveries and servicing on roads around local treatment centres. One such example is a project of Cross River Partnership’s Clean Air Villages, prepared to support Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust in streamlining the logistics associated with the hospital supply chain. Refrigerated storage facilities with high hygiene standards and flexible internal space were found to help in the creation of a “last mile hub” in Dartford.
Momentum applied the lessons of this work to a Delivery and Servicing Action Plan prepared for the Harley Street Business Improvement District, which operates within an area characterised by private clinics and medical businesses. We demonstrated that an innovative cargo bike delivery regime – with sufficient refrigeration and hygiene considerations – could support the movement of medical supplies and waste, while mitigating congestion and improving road safety.
Shift 3: Spotting illness earlier and tackling the causes of ill health
We fundamentally see progressive urban planning as a preventative measure for tackling the causes of ill health. Poor-quality built environments – including substandard housing, car-dependent neighbourhoods, and inadequate green spaces – are well-documented as key determinants of poor health. Addressing these root causes requires a joined-up approach between planning and NHS reforms to ensure that our built environment actively supports healthier lifestyles and reduces the burden of preventable illness on healthcare systems.
Aligning NHS reforms with planning system changes offers a powerful opportunity to address the causes of ill health at their root. Poor-quality developments that perpetuate sedentary lifestyles, limit access to green spaces, or fail to promote active travel could be subject to stricter planning controls or financial penalties. The funds raised could be reinvested into NHS services or used to support local infrastructure improvements, creating a positive feedback loop that supports prevention and improves outcomes.
While car-centric development is common in Texas, continuing the pattern of sprawl can neither solve traffic congestion nor foster vibrant places.
Instead, Texas planners are championing human-scale, livable cities and towns – and this was on display at the annual conference of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association, held recently in Allen, Texas.
In light of Momentum’s recent launch in Houston, it was an especially exciting conference. Momentum’s US team is well-positioned to strategically come alongside cities, coalitions, and other groups that are advancing people-focused mobility throughout Texas (and beyond).
Conference sessions highlighted the development of statewide transit and active transportation plans, the recent pedestrianization of city blocks in downtown Houston, and commercial drone delivery. Other presentations discussed mobility hub implementation in San Antonio, “cooling” hot Texas cities by converting parking to parks, and enhancing cyclist safety with complete cycle networks rather than isolated bike lanes.
People-focused mobility planning in Texas is a unique challenge due in part to the enduring legacy of unprecedented levels of highway expansion. But as Texas cities continue to face development pressures, planners and communities have an opportunity to reimagine and retrofit infrastructure while holding to a time-tested and economically viable model – walkable streets and human-scale places.
Following a few years of being part of the Watford Placemaking Review Panel, in the summer of 2024 I was asked by Frame Projects to attend (what I thought was) a one-off Design Review Panel for Suffolk County Council for design proposals at North Felixstowe.
Felixstowe is a familiar town to me, being a regular destination for seaside visits with my young family. But having the insight of planning a substantial new residential development there brought an additional aspect to my knowledge of the town; it had never struck me how the town is actually quite isolated. It’s at the end of a strategic arterial road – the A14, with the town accommodating one of the largest container ports in Europe.
But this also gives a sense of self-containment to the community in Felixstowe. Taking the lead for the masterplanning process, East Suffolk Council is promoting the scheme, which would provide around 1,400 new dwellings, a new leisure centre, primary school, pedestrian, cycle and vehicular routes, whilst protecting existing woodland and providing new open recreational space.
Given the scale of the proposals, the review panel was a day-long session, which included a long walk around the site. I thoroughly enjoyed the day – learning about the proposals and having the opportunity to give strategic transport and access advice to help shape the proposals. The added population and new facilities to be delivered by the development proposals need to be sensitively managed, but give an opportunity to provide a new holistic approach to movement around the town, connecting not just the new residential areas, but considering how existing residents can be better connected to its long expanse of coastline, the town centre, the new leisure centre and the significant employment at the port.
The review panel took place at an early stage of the masterplanning process, which was hugely beneficial in giving a great opportunity for the its advice to be considered as the proposals are developed. I’m now delighted to say that I’ve been invited to join Frame Projects’ Suffolk Design Review Panel on a permanent basis – I look forward to the next review!
“Houston is one of the largest US cities. It’s experiencing a lot of growth in terms of population size.
There are a lot of folks moving down to Texas in general, and into Houston specifically. And so there’s a lot of infrastructure growth. The city and the local community recognizes that you can’t build a way out with freeways.
And so there’s a very big push to invest in transit, invest in sustainable modes, bikeways and more walkable communities. It’s a really great place to be. Houston has traditionally had the reputation of an oil and gas town, but it’s way more than that.
It’s a very cosmopolitan city, very diverse, very rich, with a lot of great industries here. And back to the transit and infrastructure side of things, there’s a big push to expand transit offerings, expand light rail, bus rapid transit, and make transit more accessible and usable.
The same goes for bikeways. Houston has over 1,800 miles of high-comfort bike lanes and natural trails. And so there’s a lot of investment, a lot of interest and a desire to really rethink how people travel around the city.”
From Conversations in Momentum: S3 #8 Conversations In Momentum – Hassan Madhoun on Momentum’s new US office, 4 Nov 2024
At the same time, refurbishment brings a range of transport challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for any project we work on and this is especially true for refurbishment projects. Older buildings are likely to have service yards which are no longer fit for purpose, structural issues such as columns which can’t be moved, or car parks which are too small for modern vehicles, to name a few of the issues.
As one of the leading transport consultancies for commercial development in London, we are able to provide an integrated range of services to help refurbishment development proposals achieve planning consent.
Our bespoke services for refurbishment and retrofit schemes:
- Access strategies to inform masterplans and concept designs
- Travel planning
- Servicing and waste management strategies, including off-site deliveries
- Building operations modelling
- Integrated design review
- Expert advisory services to help achieve successful negotiations
- Collaboration with relevant authorities to achieve planning
- Active travel and cycle parking provision
- Vertical movement and transportation (people and vehicle lifts)
- Construction logistics
An example of one of these transport challenges is the dominance of the car – an issue that cities across the world are grappling with and an area that is being heavily debated in the UK.
According to Transport for London, road vehicles are the largest cause of air pollution in London, which both contributes towards climate change and can have negative public health impacts, including increasing rates of asthma, cancer and lung disease [1]. With the increasing need to ensure sustainability and reduce the effects of climate change, many cities are taking long-term steps to ‘reclaim their streets’ through policies intended to reduce car usage, increase pedestrianisation, and stimulate a rise in active travel.
So, how are different cities approaching the challenge of reducing the dominance of cars and giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists?
Barcelona, Spain:
In 2020, a decade-long plan was launched in Barcelona to tackle car dependence and reduce the city’s air pollution levels [2]. As part of this plan, one in three streets in the Eixample district, which suffers from high levels of pollution, will become green zones, with emphasis placed on promoting walking and cycling [2]. To stimulate a reduction in car dependence, the city introduced the superblock scheme in 2016 [2]. This scheme involves combining nine of the city’s blocks and closing them for through-traffic, as well as creating cycle lanes and expanding the public realm through increasing green space and providing play areas [3].
Freiberg, Germany:
Vauban, a small neighbourhood in Freiberg, has also taken steps to discourage personal car usage. Efforts have been made to reduce available parking spaces in Vauban, and cars are met with low speed limits of 3 miles per hour in parking-free areas [4]. These measures give priority to pedestrians, and consequently the neighbourhood is almost completely free of cars [5]. Vauban serves as a successful example of how walkable neighbourhoods can be created [6].
Hanover, Germany:
In September 2023, it was announced that Hanover aims to become ‘almost car-free’, with the city transformed by 2030 [7]. Through plans to reduce available parking in the city centre, introduce speeds of 20 km/h or 30 km/h, and expand cycling infrastructure, the Mayor hopes to reduce traffic congestion and car dependence in the city centre, creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly city [7]. These measures aim to stimulate a rise in walking and cycling within Hanover.
Creating sustainable cities: lessons for the future
Achieving sustainability targets and reducing the impacts of climate change requires a significant reduction in emissions from road traffic. Although policies designed to remove cars from city centres will undoubtedly be met with opposition, important lessons can be learnt from Barcelona, Vauban and Hanover, as well as many other cities which have adopted similar measures to prioritise pedestrians. Pedestrianisation can improve environmental quality through reducing road traffic emissions, contributing towards climate change mitigation, and can also promote healthier lifestyles through encouraging an increase in active travel.
It’s great to be part of a company that shares this view!
References cited:
[1] Transport for London: ‘Air quality’. Available at: Air quality – Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)
[2] Burgen, S. (2020) ‘Barcelona launches 10-year plan to reclaim city streets from cars’. Available at: Barcelona launches 10-year plan to reclaim city streets from cars | Barcelona | The Guardian
[3] Burgen, S. (2019) ‘Barcelona Is Taking Radical Steps to Ban Cars. Here’s Why’. Available at: Barcelona Is Taking Radical Steps To Ban Cars. Here’s Why. | HuffPost UK Impact (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
[4] Dimitropoulous, S. (2021) ‘This German neighbourhood has everything. Except cars.’ Available at: This German neighborhood has everything. Except cars. – Experience Magazine (expmag.com)
[5] Paterson, T. (2009) ‘Auto-ban: German town goes car-free’. Available at: Auto-ban: German town goes car-free | The Independent | The Independent
[6] Peters, A. (2019) ‘What can we learn from this thriving, car-free German neighbourhood? Get rid of parking spaces’. Available at: How Frieberg’s Vauban neighborhood created a car-free paradise (fastcompany.com)
[7] Judah, J. (2023) ‘Hanover will remove nearly all street-side parking and introduce 12mph speed limit in a bid to banish cars and turn the city into ‘a place to party and stroll about’’. Available at: Hanover will remove nearly all street-side parking and introduce 12mph speed limit in a bid to banish cars and turn the city into ‘a place to party and stroll about’ (msn.com)
As a result, there has been a sharp decline in private car use within the inner city. TfL reported in 2023 that in Central London car ownership rates fell by 14% in the 3 years between 2019 and 2022[1]. Even factoring in the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant modal shift away from private cars appears to be occurring – strongest in Central London.
Future developments, where well connected to public transport, must aim to be ‘car-free’ and maximum parking standards are helping ensure new car parks become relegated to suburban locations with low public transport connectivity. Existing parking infrastructure however, becoming steadily surplus to demand, offers an exciting opportunity for development.
This coincides with a recent push towards a retrofitting approach to development, due to concerns towards the volume of carbon resulting from the demolition and construction of new builds. This represents a break from past practice, whereby multi-storey car parks (MSCP) and other car parks have been razed[2], with the site seized for the construction of a shiny new building. In some cases, this is the most suitable route to go down, when the calculation between embodied carbon savings from a retrofit versus future operational carbon savings in a new building suggest demolition as the favourable decision.
The submission of retrofit development planning applications hit a record year in 2023 according to the City of London[3]. Recent proposed developments include The Brunswick Centre, where designs for an underground hotel in the underutilised former car park have been announced by developer Lazari and Axiom Architects[4]. The design will reportedly encourage a revitalisation of the space, whilst preserving the Grade II listed building’s character. Barriers to retrofitting often include concerns that plans will be limited by the existing infrastructure, without the customisation allowed in a purpose-built space. But, with a certain degree of ingenuity and flexibility, great spaces can be designed. At the Brunswick Centre plans include innovative circadian lighting to overcome the challenge of making an underground site an airy and pleasant place to stay.
Peckham Levels, a collection of 500 artists’ studios housed in a retrofitted 1960’s MSCP, offers a success story with the once underutilised space now a thriving community space. The project was completed in 2015, with the former history of the building visibly embraced into the new design created by architects Turner Works.
There is also an opportunity to use vacant and underused MSCPs to ease the increasing demand for safe and secure bicycle parking within cities. Whist a growing number of cycle hangers are addressing the residential demand for cycle parking, there remains the issue of parking at the endpoint of leisure and work journeys. Not only is on-street parking liable to theft, but it is also often unsuitable for larger cargo bikes and adapted cycles, deterring people from cycling. Parking operator Q-Park has sought to address this dilemma, partnering with bike parking provider SpokeSafe to build out spaces within three of their London car parks. In a future where bicycles are taking over traditional car travel, adapting car parking spaces to accommodate this shift could present an ideal solution.
Logistics hubs have previously thought to present a further key opportunity area for development within underused car parks, with the City of London draft Local Plan (2036)[5] identifying car parks as a ‘priority for use as last-mile logistics hubs’. This is not always a straightforward solution, due to low headroom and the local traffic impacts – but the idea has potential.
Exploring the realm of possibilities presented by repurposing MSCPs, raises additional questions: to what degree does their adaptability depend on contextual factors such as location, surrounding infrastructure, and architectural design? In which scenario are these factors the most optimal? How can the obstacle of limited headroom be overcome? Does them being underground or above ground have an impact? Addressing such inquiries would lead to a clearer understanding of when to pursue a retrofit approach and assist in identifying their most appropriate applications.
[1] Travel in London 2023 – Road traffic trends (tfl.gov.uk)
[2] https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/10/demolition-starts-on-design-icon-welbeck-street-car-park/
[4] https://brunswickcentreconsultation.com/our-vision/
[5] City Plan 2036 (cityoflondon.gov.uk)
References