Designing buildings, parks and streets that work better for everyone
We’re updating planning guidance for Islington's buildings, parks and streets so they work better for everyone. Council designers and private developers use this guidance to make sure no one is left out from Islington's places — whatever their age, background, disability, gender, caring role or identity.
We want to work closely with residents, people who work in the borough, community organisations, as well as design professionals when updating the guidance.
To follow how the guidance develops, sign up for email updates in the Stay Informed section of this page.
What happened to date
So far, we held 5 events to have initial conversations about what makes welcoming and accessible streets, parks and buildings, as follows:
- Tuesday 23 June at Vibast Centre, with a community meal served by FoodCycle.
- Wednesday 24 June at Lift Youth Centre, as a drop-in for young people.
- Tuesday 30 June at Sobell Centre, alongside inclusive play and sports taster sessions.
- Thursday 2 July at Central Library, as a quiet session with in person and online sign-up slots.
- Saturday 4 July at Whittington Park Big Day Out.
The events involved conversations with residents, designers and local organisations about:
- What already works well in their local area - buildings, parks and streets.
- What needs to change to make places feel safer and easier to use.
- What makes somewhere welcoming — or difficult to visit.
We also held an online survey on these matters which closed on 10 July 2026.
Next steps
To follow how the guidance shapes up, sign up for email updates in the Stay Informed section of this page.
We will publish a summary of the feedback gathered to date in the weeks following the events. Feedback from the June and July events will help us better plan the guidance content and the next stages of engagement summarised in the Proposed Engagement Plan in the Documents section of this page.
We propose that a series of detailed workshops for specific groups as well as public drop-ins are held in autumn 2026 to inform development of the guidance document.
To make sure everyone can enjoy places around them, we will invite young people, older residents, disabled people, parents and carers, people of all genders, people of all cultural backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ residents to hands-on events and workshops. We will be reaching out further for collaboration with local community organisations and design professionals on this, too.
Following the autumn workshops, we will draft the new guidance and carry out consultation on a full draft of the document.
After considering responses to that consultation, we anticipate the new guidance will be adopted in spring 2027.
We look forward to working with you over the coming months!
If you have any questions about this project to Islington's Inclusive Design Officer please email inclusivedesign@islington.gov.uk.
How has this project come about?
The current Islington planning guidance needs to be updated to match the ambition of London-wide and local planning policy, and because it does not cover things people use every day now — like e‑bikes, charging points, or inclusive play spaces.
You can find out more about planning policy and processes in the Full Planning Scoping Paper file in the Documents section of this page.
Updating the guidance
We are not starting from a completely blank page. Our guidance must align with existing legal requirements, and be consistent with London-wide policy. We still have a lot of scope to develop clear and ambitious planning guidance for a more accessible, safe and welcoming borough.
Based on previous resident engagement and an analysis of existing guidance, we know the following key parts of the guidance need updating:
- supporting accessible design of new and refurbished homes - from accessible play spaces, to safe mobility scooter charging, to safe evacuation for all, to detailed designs of supported homes and student accommodation;
- ensuring that local businesses are accessible for customers and staff;
- supporting local community spaces and green spaces which champion accessibility and inclusion across the borough;
- guiding sensitively designed accessibility improvements in heritage buildings and spaces;
- guiding contextual and accessible designs of streetworks and transport projects, including walking and wheeling infrastructure and access to electric vehicle charging for all;
- promoting sustainable highways greening;
- ensuring that parks and green spaces welcome and support wellbeing for all;
- sharing case studies on more Child-friendly, age-friendly, Dementia- and neurodiversity-friendly and safe for Women, Girls and LGBTQIA+ residents designs.
You can find out more about the changes proposed in the Full Planning Scoping Paper file in the Documents section of this page.
