10 February 2022
This year’s first ULI UK Infrastructure and Urban Development Product Council Day took place on Tuesday 11 January. Council members took part in a guided walking tour of the redeveloped Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea area in London, followed by a discussion led by our hosts:
The development features major projects and a unique approach to collaboration and partnership between public and private sector. It presented the chance to discuss many of the themes that the council has recently been debating, including:
Kathryn kicked off the discussion by providing an overview of the development area. She explained how the partnership between all key stakeholders was key to realising the development, and highlighted the importance of the governance structure and the council’s role in this.
Danny explained more about the Northern Line Extension: how it unlocked the scale of commercial development along with other infrastructure projects; the benefit to the wider economy outside London; and how it has improved access for local population.
Sarah then expanded upon the topic of social value. It was vital for the success of the development that all stakeholders were on board. Early on, the partners worked out sticking points through discussions which led to a common vision and collective commitment.
The group further discussed the governance model, stakeholder engagement, financing models and stewardship. We were all trying to ascertain success factors and lessons learnt. What seems clear is that the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, which notably did not take a form of a development corporation, played a pivotal role in every aspect of the project. Its functioning relied as much upon a good structure and governance as on committed individuals.
There were also, of course, lessons to be learnt. An innovative approach was taken to the creation and long term maintenance of Nine Elms Park, that lies at the heart of the development – one that was appropriate for the context but might not be as successfully replicated at other times. In the current model, the park is brought forward in phases by each of the individual developers as part of their development working to a common Park Masterplan and remaining in private ownership. They are obliged to manage and maintain the park under a single entity (Park co.) following the principles of Public London Charter. The developers have signed up to a Park POPS Charter developed with them by the Council with Matthew Carmona.
Follow the links for further information:
Another big question raised was around density. The density of the development finances the enabling infrastructure projects. The scale of commercial development – essentially the creation of a new town centre around the Power Station – was only possible with a tube connection. S106 was used to secure space for communal amenities, such as the aforementioned park, as well as a health centre and school. In addition, CIL ring-fenced to fund the capital investment in this infrastructure to meet the needs of a dense urban area.
Nonetheless, the density of tall buildings observed in this area is undeniably unprecedented in London or elsewhere in the country. Is this the future of development? Is London ready to embrace this level of density as new standard? Is that desirable from perspectives of social and individual wellbeing? Does the context of climate change and urbanisation necessitate this level and form of density?
Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea might just be one example. But it certainly poses many significant questions to future projects of a similar nature. The council looks forward to continuing the discussion to further explore those pertinent topics.
Walking tour
U.S. Embassy
Nine Elms – Battersea
Battersea Power Station
Walking tour
Battersea Power Station Tube
Walking tour