Exhibition explores barriers to enjoying London's public space
London Open City, a new exhibition at Somerset House offers different perspectives on the capital and suggests an approach to unlocking the potential of London’s public spaces and streets.
Curated by Design for London, the Mayor’s Architecture and Urban Design Studio, London Open City focuses on the forces that have shaped London’s public realm and asks visitors to share ideas on how to make the city easier - and more enjoyable - to use.
The exhibition looks at how connections between different parts of London can be improved; how a better balance can be achieved between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians as well as suggestions as to how to remove the physical and psychological barriers to movement through the city.
It also considers London’s green spaces and explores ways of activating spaces to accommodate varied and intensive use.
In putting this exhibition together Design for London has collaborated with artists, writers and photographers to engage Londoners with their city and to explore different perceptions of beauty in London’s public realm.
Peter Bishop, director of Design for London, said: “London Open City is a framework for making London’s public spaces fit for a growing city, fit for changing lifestyles and fit for rising to the challenge of climate change.
“For Design for London, this reflects a year of thinking but does not purport to be a final strategy. This exhibition should be seen as the beginning of the debate on how we unlock the potential of London’s public realm at all levels.”
London Open City
6 March-27 April 2008
Somerset House, London WC2.
Opening times: Monday-Sunday, 10am-6pm.
Admission free.
