Planning Aid For London x Oxford Street

The process

The project followed a multi-stage community engagement approach designed to be inclusive, playful, and participatory. Camden Town was chosen as the location for its bustling streets and diverse community, with a temporary engagement station set up in prominent pedestrian areas.

Equipped with workshop materials and information about the Oxford Street pedestrianisation proposal, we invited passers-by, local residents, and shopkeepers to share their ideas via a public realm “drawing challenge”.

WeTheSeeds (Public Arts Placemaking UK) facilitators encouraged & challenged everyone—regardless of age or artistic skill—to imagine and illustrate their vision for the street.

Participants were asked to picture Oxford Street without cars, thinking creatively about green spaces, seating, street markets, cycling routes, and cultural installations - Sparking insightful conversations!

Guest conversations and illustrations were collected, digitised, and categorised to reveal common themes, producing a rich visual and narrative snapshot of public imagination and community aspirations for a more pedestrian-friendly Oxford St.

Growing the seeds

Participants’ drawings were brought together in colourful co-created illustrations, with guests’ imagining green spaces, street markets, and pedestrian pathways filled with playful seating and cultural installations. Once drawn, guests showcased these ideas, sparking “Vox-pop-style” filmed conversations and inspiring new community contributions.

The overall insights were captured in a data-driven report, highlighting participant data & themes to inform our clients over at Planning Aid for London after the community engagement day was completed.

Online sharing extended the dialogue beyond Camden, keeping the community’s creativity at the heart of future town centre urban planning.

Images of the community engagement can be found below: