Why London City Island?
The Great Places Urbanism Awards are back after three years off, and we’re celebrating with a unique new twist on the Urbanism Awards Ceremony
It's been three years since the last Great Place Urbanism Awards, and we're thrilled to be celebrating their return with a new twist on the Awards Ceremony, on Wednesday 23 November 2022.
We'll be at the English National Ballet's Mulryan Centre for Dance on London City Island, with an event featuring 'backstage' site tours with the architect; lessons from Europe; and 15 great place poems written and read by AoU Poet-in-Residence Ian McMillan - all before we crown our winners for 2022!
Why London City Island?
Many guests, including most of this year’s finalists, will be joining us from outside of London – in many cases crossing borders to come and celebrate – so why not make the most of the trip and explore an interesting piece of the city’s urbanism?
Programme overview:
13:00 - Walking tours with Glenn Howells Architects
15:00 - Learning from Europe: Málaga, Mechelen, and Trieste
16:30 - Ceremony opening drinks
17:45 - The Urbanism Awards with poems from Ian McMillan
19:15 - Drinks and informal dinner
What is London City Island?
London City Island is a mixed-use development on the formerly brownfield Leamouth Peninsula in East London, ideated during the 2008 recession to provide affordable, interesting homes in the capital. Its physical landscape exhibits colourful tower blocks made from precast elements which halved the build time; green roofs and trees aplenty; and a host of public squares.
Arguably more striking, however, is the island’s cultural landscape, with the English National Ballet’s headquarters, a recording studio, fashion studio, gallery space, and a shared space unit offering alterations, bespoke garments, and sewing lessons.
The Urbanism Awards at London City Island offers a fresh twist on our Awards Ceremony, taking the occasion to embrace interesting new urbanism as part of our Great Places celebration. We’re excited to find out what lessons, questions, and conversations the day inspires.
Where is London City Island?
London City Island sits on the former brownfield Leamouth Peninsula, just outside Canning Town Station in East London.
Canning Town is served by the Jubilee Line and the DLR, and takes roughly 30 minutes or less from most major London stations. It is also a 7 minute DLR journey from London City Airport.
All photos in this article are courtesy of Glenn Howells Architects.