Marylebone High Street is busy central London retail and restaurant quarter. Starting from a primarily focus on lowering emissions, the team’s scope was extended to include public realm improvements.
Resilient London: confronting climate change
Marylebone High Street is a high-profile, busy central London retail and restaurant quarter. Climate resilience drove the inclusion of permeable materials and rain gardens that provide alternative drainage solutions. Broad-leafed trees were included to provide natural shading and cooling and improve air quality. Planting was designed to improve biodiversity creating green links that provide opportunities for feeding and pollinating. The planting palette was optimised to support resident wellbeing through year-round positive visual impact. The public realm also increased walking space, safer crossings and the provision of cycle stands to encourage modal shift in a car-dependent area.