City of Westminster (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Strand Aldwych has earned a prestigious Green Flag Award after its transformation by Westminster Council into a dynamic and accessible urban green space.
Parks and green areas with outstanding management in the UK and other countries are recognized internationally with the Green Flag Award.
The project’s exceptional preservation of historical and cultural significance in addition to its environmental worth has earned it the Green Heritage Site Accreditation.
Strand Aldwych is the nation’s first pedestrian-only open space to win both of these accolades, establishing a standard for urban development.
The Strand Aldwych project, which was started in December 2022, turned a traffic-clogged and dirty road system into a lively, car-free public area that honors the region’s historical and cultural legacy.
In order to connect the historic St Mary le Strand church with the area’s top cultural and educational institutions, such as King’s College London, the London School of Economics, Somerset House, and The Courtauld Institute, a new pedestrian zone the size of a football pitch was created with a £22 million investment from Westminster City Council.
Over 20,000 people are employed by 400 enterprises in the Strand and Aldwych regions, which currently receive 14 million tourists a year.
Among the transformation’s salient elements are:
- a car-free, secure area with more bike parking, safer intersections, and wider walkways on surrounding roads to encourage bicyclists and pedestrians.
- There are now new places to sit where visitors can unwind in the shade of trees.
- a range of trees and vegetation to promote biodiversity, offer color throughout the year, and create a more environmentally friendly urban setting.
- The project has improved air quality, offered urban cooling, and supported pollinators as a 7,000m² green space in one of the busiest parts of central London.
- With revolving art exhibits throughout the year and links to local cultural and educational institutions, the area also functions as an accessible cultural platform.
Cllr Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality, said:
“I’m proud to announce that Strand Aldwych has just earned a Green Flag Award for its outstanding urban transformation. This is a well-deserved recognition of the area as a world-class public green space connecting historic and cultural landmarks with the vibrant city life in central London.
In response to our declaration of an ecological emergency in 2023, we developed our Greening and Biodiversity Strategy to make Westminster more resilient through improving and enhancing nature in the city. Our recently published Air Quality Action Plan also presents a bold and clear roadmap towards reducing air pollution and improving public health outcomes for residents.”
He also said that the Strand Aldwych project is an excellent example of a public space that is welcoming, accessible and beneficial to the environment. All key to their commitment to creating a greener, fairer Westminster for all our residents and visitors.
Ruth Duston OBE OC, CEO of London Heritage Quarter, said:
“Creating calm, people-focused, places in urban spaces is an important priority for London Heritage Quarter. Strand Aldwych receiving a Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work of all involved, and the project is a great example of what collaborative work can achieve.
By working closely with Westminster City Council and a wide range of partners and stakeholders including King’s College London, London School of Economics, Somerset House Trust, St Mary Le Strand and The Courtauld Institute, this greening scheme has delivered truly transformative results for this area of London that links the West End and the City.”
He said that it serves as a template on how the pedestrianisation of public spaces can transform pockets of urban cities into a destination where people want to be.
Miles Watson-Smyth, Chief Executive of Windowflowers Ltd, who plants and maintains the displays, said:
“We are incredibly proud to have played a part in the transformation and ongoing care of the gardens in the Strand Aldwych area, working alongside Westminster City Council. To see this space recognised with both a Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Site Accreditation is a true honour. When we’re on site, members of the public regularly stop to tell us how much they enjoy the gardens and to thank us for our work — that kind of appreciation, along with these prestigious awards, makes all our efforts feel truly worthwhile.”
Cannon Ivers, Director of LDA Design, said:
“This is a special moment for Strand-Aldwych and for all those who worked so hard to transform what was a heavily trafficked and polluted road into a place for people and for nature, and for those who tirelessly support and maintain the space so well, with passion, knowledge, care, and commitment.
Strand has historically been about movement and transport. Now it’s a democratic, biodiverse space for everyone to enjoy with seating for up to 700 people, described as the best thing to happen to London in years. The fact that it is the first time a pedestrianised space has been awarded Green Flag status is fantastic recognition of Strand’s contribution to making London a healthier, calmer, and better place to be. Hopefully, this will embolden other towns and cities to reclaim streets for communities and for nature to thrive.”
How does the Green Flag Standard ensure Strand Aldwych’s management quality?
Strand Aldwych’s management is subject to regular expert judgment and receives detailed feedback to encourage ongoing enhancements rather than a static checklist approach, supporting adaptability to changing user needs while preserving the site’s character.
The award scheme encourages sharing of good practice and innovative management strategies among sites.
The management must actively involve users and the local community, ensuring the space serves their needs and encourages inclusive use.
Strand Aldwych’s award also acknowledges outstanding conservation of historical and cultural significance alongside environmental value, aligning management with heritage protection and biodiversity enhancement.