Public Realm SPD
What is the public realm?
The ‘public realm’ is where public life takes place. This means more than the areas in Hackney that are considered to be public spaces. It covers the places where public and private property meet. For example, the way in which streets border shops, homes and businesses.
The public realm is made up of a number of things. It includes roads, pavements, signs, seating, pavements, cycle stands, trees, kerbs, lighting, green space – the list is almost endless. Things that can be seen whilst in public areas, such as tall buildings, make up the public realm too.
We are currently consulting on a 
Draft Public Ream Design Management and Maintenance Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (5MB)
We have complete a consultation on Public Realm Design Management and Maintenance Guide: Volume 2 (3.36MB)
What the document will do:
- Assist the Council in setting a vision for the Public Realm that benefits all who visit, work and live in the borough.
- Provide a planning policy context .
- Study a range of typical areas in Hackney such as high streets and residential estates and identify any specific and commonly occurring issues that should be addressed when carrying out improvements.
- Provide design, management and maintenance guidance for work in the public realm that incorporates best practice and provides consistent advice to achieve high quality, sustainable design.
We're asking for opinions on:
- Areas in Hackney you would like to see improved;
- Areas you particularly like;
- Reducing ‘street clutter’;
- Road, street or pavement design;
- Accessibility; and
- Getting around the borough.
Have your say
The consultation started on 16 September 2009. Give us your views and complete our online survey before 11 November 2009. Visit your local library or Planning Reception to pick up a paper survey or view a full printed draft of the SPD. If you would like to be posted paper copies of the survey, contact Joe.Rowling@hackney.gov.uk or 020 8356 8088
Information will also be available at:
- Hackney One Carnival, Sunday 27 September, visit the Hackney Council Information Hub
- Give and Take Day, 10 October, location to be confirmed
Further information
For more information, or to email general comments about the draft SPD, contact Joe Rowling
email: Joe.Rowling@hackney.gov.uk
tel: 020 8356 8088
Page updated: 25 Sep 2009