Chinatown
London's Chinatown is one of the most bustling districts of its kind in Europe. It combines specialist businesses with a vibrant street life and residential community.
The challenge
The council is determined to make sure Chinatown remains an integral part of the world-class West End.
Where are we now?
- In September 2003, the council adopted the Chinatown Action Plan. This is the blueprint for making Chinatown cleaner, safer, more attractive, culturally vibrant and better managed. The local community, the police and the major landlord, Shaftesbury PLC, all helped shape the contents of the plan.
- It was also informed by the recommendations of the Chinatown Economic Development Study. The council commissioned this to assess the economic, social and cultural standing of the area.
- In September 2008, in partnership with the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, the Council launched A Design Strategy for Chinatown, an ambitious project which seeks to implement various aesthetic and functional improvements through several phases starting in 2009. The Executive Summary can be found here.
We're making good progress in delivering on the action plan's priorities, including:
- In October 2008, securing a new home for the Chinese Community Centre within the redevelopment plans of the London Hippodrome
- Introducing city guardians to Chinatown to help make public areas safer and cleaner
- Establishing a better cleansing regime
- Street improvements to all of Chinatown's Street
We're also working with the local community and London based Chinese and East Asian artists on an initiative called Chinatown Arts Space (CAS). We're seeking support from the Arts Council England to find a base for East Asian visual and performing arts in the West End.
- The project has already staged a series of events, workshops and installations, including Lighting Up Chinatown and an East Asian dance and hip hop event.
- More recently, CAS unveiled Chinatown's latest semi-permanent pieces of public art. The first, entitled 1888, is a large scale mural in Horse and Dolphin Yard, that reflects the rich and diverse history of Chinatown. The second, a sculpture entitled The Lion, is positioned at the top end of Wardour Street-one of Chinatown's main gateways.
Looking ahead
Streetscape improvements to Gerrard Street, Macclesfield Street, Lisle Street and Little Newport Street have now been completed. Improvement works to Wardour Street and Rupert Court will commence in September 2009 and are due to be completed in time for the Chinese New Year celebrations in February 2010.
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