Understanding public life in London’s Cheapside

Reimagining Cheapside as a street for people

The study set out to understand how people move through and spend time in Cheapside, establish a data-driven baseline, and provide guidance for creating a more inclusive, vibrant, and people-focused city centre.

Gehl’s approach combined public life surveys with public space quality assessments to explore how design, street activity, and facade character shape daily life. Over two days in October 2023, data was collected across four key sites — Bow Churchyard, Sunken Garden, Bus Gate, and Old Jewry — capturing weekday and weekend dynamics.

Findings showed Cheapside functions as a strong pedestrian corridor, with nearly 90% of movement on foot, yet places to sit and socialize are limited. Seating and greenery are scarce, especially to the east, and weekend activity drops as shops close. By contrast, Bow Churchyard and Sunken Garden show the potential for small urban oases that support everyday social life.

Building on these insights, the study identified opportunities to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, activate underused street edges, and extend life beyond office hours. Recommendations include improving street furniture and greenery, adding flexible programming, enhancing wayfinding, and encouraging a better balance between weekday and weekend activity. In 2024, Sunken Garden was redesigned with 25% more planting to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience, creating new opportunities for enjoyment among residents, workers, and visitors.

The 2023 Cheapside study provides a foundation for evidence-based urban change, aligning with the City of London’s ambition to reimagine the Square Mile as a place for people — lively, inclusive, and welcoming at all times of day.