Underneath the Arches in the East End: An Evaluation of the Planning and Design Policy Context of the East London Line Extension Project

Historically the development of principles and practice for integrated planning and urban design around suburban railway stations has not been a core component of British planning. However, over the past decade or so, in response to the growth of a consensus around the need to promote more sustainable transport behaviour, this situation has begun to change. This paper reviews the contemporary literature for integrated planning and design at and around stations and derives a set of analytical criteria which are used to evaluate the policy context for a new railway project in East London: the East London Line Extension. Conclusions are drawn as to whether the principles of good practice are being adhered to and the likelihood of the stations and their environs becoming exemplars of good practice for others to follow.