Hackney Town Hall Square: Designing Our Square

Closed 30 Jul 2024

Contact

consultation@hackney.gov.uk

Overview

The Hackney Town Hall Square redesign aims to revitalise the heart of Hackney Central, transforming it into a more inclusive, accessible, and flexible space for all. This project, led by Hackney Council in collaboration with the community, will preserve the square’s historical significance while enhancing its use for everyday activities, community gatherings, and public events. It’s part of Hackney Council’s broader strategy to improve public spaces across the borough, ensuring they are welcoming and functional for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

What we’re doing

We are redesigning Hackney Town Hall Square based on community feedback to create a space that meets modern needs while maintaining its civic importance. Our design emphasises adaptability, enabling the square to host events, informal gatherings, and day-to-day activities. The key features of the redesign include:

  • Preserving Heritage: The redesign respects the Grade II-listed features of Hackney Town Hall and Hackney Empire, while enhancing other landmarks like Hackney Central Library. The aim is to honor the square’s civic and historical significance while making it more accessible and functional.
  • Accessibility and Safety: Community input highlighted the importance of creating an accessible and welcoming space. We're improving pedestrian access, seating, and lighting to enhance safety and inclusivity.
  • Community-Centered Design: We are working to ensure the design reflects Hackney’s diversity, welcoming all, especially vulnerable groups and youth.
  • Civic and Political Role: The square's role as a platform for civic engagement, demonstrations, and cultural events will be respected and reinforced.
  • Sustainability: The design prioritizes climate resilience, with climate-adaptive planting and green spaces aligning with Hackney Council’s sustainability goals.

Why we’re doing it

The redesign responds to residents’ calls for a more inviting and functional space that respects Hackney Town Hall Square's heritage. Through consultations, people have voiced their desire for improved seating, greenery, adaptable spaces, and better connectivity. This project aims to:

  • Create an inclusive space: Ensure the square is accessible to all, including children, older people, and those with mobility needs.
  • Support diverse uses: Provide spaces for both informal gatherings and large-scale events like protests and celebrations.
  • Promote sustainability: Integrate green and sustainable features that contribute to Hackney’s climate goals.

How we’re doing it

We’ve been actively engaging with the community through a series of successful events. Most recently, the Town Hall Square Community Event on 28th September 2024 provided an opportunity for residents to view concept designs and share their feedback. This was followed by the Lighting Workshop on 14th October 2024, where participants explored different lighting solutions on-site. These events were well-attended, with diverse contributions from residents, local businesses, and community groups.

What happens next

From these events, we have collected valuable feedback that will directly influence the evolving design of the square. We are now working to incorporate this input into the next phase of design and will be presenting updated proposals in the coming weeks. The continued involvement of the community remains central to this process.

Stay updated

We encourage you to sign up for the Hackney Central Newsletter to stay informed about future events and opportunities to contribute to this and other projects in Hackney Central. Your input will help ensure the redesigned square meets the needs of our community.

Events

  • Town Hall Square Community Event

    From 28 Sep 2024 at 14:00 to 28 Sep 2024 at 18:00

    This event will be a great opportunity to explore the concept designs for Town Hall Square. The project team will be on hand to discuss the plans, and there will be activities like seed bomb making and planting.

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  • Town Hall Square Lighting Workshop

    From 14 Oct 2024 at 18:00 to 14 Oct 2024 at 21:00

    We’re hosting an evening workshop to explore lighting options for the square. Your feedback will be instrumental in helping us find the best solutions for the area’s lighting design.

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Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Hackney Central
  • Revitalised Hackney Central