Built in 1837, Euston was London’s first inner-city train station. At the time, Charles Dickens compared the disruption caused by the coming of the railway to an ‘urban earthquake’. Today, Euston provides a ‘gateway to the North’ and is used by approximately 50 million passengers a year. Located within the London Borough of Camden, in the heart of London, Euston and its surroundings are currently undergoing their greatest transformation in decades. There are three major infrastructure projects underway: the construction of the central London terminus of HS2, Network Rail’s redevelopment of the mainline station and the wider development of the urban environment managed by the Master Development Partner, Lendlease.
Whilst the redevelopment promises “New homes (including provision for affordable and social housing), businesses, shops and community facilities, as well as public and open space” the building works are anticipated to continue for twenty years. Overseen by The Euston Partnership, a coalition of the key development stakeholders, this period is recognised as an opportunity to ‘bring forward benefit’ for local residents and test different uses that address local priorities and may inform proposals for the future.
Intensive construction works has meant that in recent years no meanwhile spaces have existed within the ‘red line’ of the development area, leading meanwhile efforts to focus on community-led delivery of projects that address local priorities in the neighbourhoods surrounding the development area.
In April 2023, works at Euston have been paused, releasing several sites for meanwhile activation, some commercial and some community-led. Works are expected to recommence in April 2025 but in the meanwhile it is hoped that the site will support temporary uses that will address local priorities and benefit local residents and businesses.
Euston is hosting one of the six pilot projects of the EU Funded T-Factor research. Extensive collaboration with local residents and community groups has defined the following missions for meanwhile uses to address in address to local priorities:
Arts, Culture and
Heritage
Aims to support art, architecture and public realm improvements that stimulate creative expression, foster identity, and make Euston’s culture, community, heritage and history accessible to all, visible in the streets, and contributing to add beauty to them in the process.
Collaborative and Circular Economy and Enterprise
Aims to foster an inclusive and regenerative economy in and around Euston, including providing active support for local residents, especially young people, to start up new businesses. This includes promoting and investing in local markets, new and existing, to activate the public realm, increase footfall and support and promote local business activity.
Safe and Convivial Streets and Spaces
Aims to ensure the streets are welcoming and safe, designed to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour whilst connecting cultural and community activities. Ensuring that public spaces are adequately maintained and cared for by council and community. Implementing initiatives that holistically address drug crime and anti-social behaviour. Ensuring that development does not displace crime into existing communities.
University of the Arts London is Europe’s largest specialist arts and Design University, bringing together six equally renowned arts, design, fashion and communication Colleges: Camberwell College of Arts; Central Saint Martins; Chelsea College of Arts; London College of Communication; London College of Fashion; and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL has more than 3,000 academic, research and technical staff and about 19,000 students from more than 130 countries.
Stretching from Covent Garden to Hampstead and Highgate, Candem contains some of the poorest and some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in London. The London Borough of Camden wants to reduce inequality while preserving the social mix, by building resilience in individuals, communities, businesses and the Council itself. This public authority provides a wide range of services for businesses and residents and bring partners together to deliver new solutions that will benefit everyone.
Somerstown Community Association is a Charity dedicated to providing cohesive, inclusive and innovative services. They strongly support empowering our community to create and spearhead an active and responsive organisation. This organisation aims to produce a meaningful and positive influence at every level of people’s lives, valuing community in all its diversity and working vigorously to pursue these values.
Knowledge Quarter is a knowledge cluster situated in a small area around King’s Cross, the Euston Road and Bloomsbury.
Within a few hundred metres sits knowledge resources ranging from the world’s earliest books and manuscripts to the latest fashion and creative designs and cutting-edge medical research.
Lendlease is an organisation which shapes cities, creates connected communities and delivers workplaces of the future around the world. Creating living options for different stages of life and social infrastructure. They deliver some of the world’s most sustainable real estate.
Community Champions
Ftizrovia Youth in Action
Old Diorama Arts Centre:
Somers Town Peoples Museum
Our Little Markets CiC
Think & Do
UAL/CSM Community of Practice
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