Public London Charter

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Engagement on the Public London Charter LPG has now ended.

The Charter has now been published and can be found on the GLA website: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/london-plan-guidance/public-london-charter


A group of artists performing in a public open space surrounded by buildings. A large crowd is watching the performance.

Public London Charter

London’s amazing network of public spaces is what makes the city so special. They not only shape the way our city looks, they also have a profound impact on how and where we meet, walk, exercise, play, shop, eat and socialise. As well as their design, the management of public spaces also significantly affects how they are used and perceived by the public.

The Public London Charter sets out principles for the management and maintenance of public space to help ensure new public spaces are inclusive places, offering the highest level of public access, and ensuring any rules or restrictions are only those that are essential for the safe management of the space. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of public spaces and the inequalities that exist in Londoners’ access to outside space, in particular, the distinctions in access to private and public outside space. As the capital recovers from the pandemic, it is essential for the longer-term resilience of the city that public spaces can be shared and enjoyed by all Londoners.

This page is a record of the engagement activities we undertook in developing the Public London Charter. It contains draft versions of the Charter and related documents.


Arial view of people dancing and sitting outside underneath bunting in Wood Green, London.
People sitting on a long bench and walking through Barking Town Centre, with residential development and trees in the background.


What has happened so far

Work started on the Public London Charter in early 2019 with the development of an evidence base which was used to inform the Charter. These documents can be viewed under the important links.

The GLA held a number of workshops of to understand the needs and priorities of different groups when it comes to public spaces in London. This work has also helped shape the draft Charter.

We carried out engagement on the Charter, and received a range of helpful feedback. This has informed the final version of the Charter, which has now been published.


Equality Impact Assessment

The equality implications of the draft guidance have been assessed through an Equality Impact Assessment. This can be viewed on the GLA website: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/london-plan-guidance/public-london-charter


Engagement on the Public London Charter LPG has now ended.

The Charter has now been published and can be found on the GLA website: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/london-plan-guidance/public-london-charter


A group of artists performing in a public open space surrounded by buildings. A large crowd is watching the performance.

Public London Charter

London’s amazing network of public spaces is what makes the city so special. They not only shape the way our city looks, they also have a profound impact on how and where we meet, walk, exercise, play, shop, eat and socialise. As well as their design, the management of public spaces also significantly affects how they are used and perceived by the public.

The Public London Charter sets out principles for the management and maintenance of public space to help ensure new public spaces are inclusive places, offering the highest level of public access, and ensuring any rules or restrictions are only those that are essential for the safe management of the space. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of public spaces and the inequalities that exist in Londoners’ access to outside space, in particular, the distinctions in access to private and public outside space. As the capital recovers from the pandemic, it is essential for the longer-term resilience of the city that public spaces can be shared and enjoyed by all Londoners.

This page is a record of the engagement activities we undertook in developing the Public London Charter. It contains draft versions of the Charter and related documents.


Arial view of people dancing and sitting outside underneath bunting in Wood Green, London.
People sitting on a long bench and walking through Barking Town Centre, with residential development and trees in the background.


What has happened so far

Work started on the Public London Charter in early 2019 with the development of an evidence base which was used to inform the Charter. These documents can be viewed under the important links.

The GLA held a number of workshops of to understand the needs and priorities of different groups when it comes to public spaces in London. This work has also helped shape the draft Charter.

We carried out engagement on the Charter, and received a range of helpful feedback. This has informed the final version of the Charter, which has now been published.


Equality Impact Assessment

The equality implications of the draft guidance have been assessed through an Equality Impact Assessment. This can be viewed on the GLA website: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/london-plan-guidance/public-london-charter