At the recent World Cities Summit in Singapore, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan reflected on the capital’s transformation over the past decade. From cleaner air and improved transport to the creation of more sustainable places, London has seen significant change in recent years. The capital now has one of the world’s largest clean air initiatives, while the Elizabeth Line has transformed connectivity across the city and beyond.

As London continues to evolve, development has an important role to play in shaping healthier and more sustainable cities. At Native Land, we have long championed the creation of hyper-mixed neighbourhoods that bring together places to live, work and socialise in space.

As the UK’s first major fossil fuel-free mixed-use development, Bankside Yards demonstrates how sustainability can be embedded into the fabric of a neighbourhood. Powered by a pioneering fifth-generation energy-sharing network, the development is designed to reduce carbon emissions while improving energy efficiency across the site. The result is a network which will offer both environmental benefits and lower energy costs for residents and occupiers.

The restoration of 14 historic railway arches and the reopening of pedestrian routes through the site for the first time in more than 150 years are helping to reconnect Bankside and the South Bank, transforming the area for Londoners and visitors. The riverside setting further helps to improve wellbeing, with growing evidence highlighting the value of blue space in urban environments. With an updated public realm and convenient access to the city’s best culture destinations, Bankside Yards demonstrates how connectivity, culture and nature can coexist within a central London location.

As developers, planners and architects around the world rethink how people live, work and connect, hyper-mixed neighbourhoods have an increasingly important role to play in shaping healthier cities.

To explore more about Bankside Yards, click here.