Urban designer is one of five firms on the international shortlist for the competition to transform Stoke's public areas

Legendry urban designer Jan Gehl could be bringing his expertise to Stoke on Trent and transforming it into a city fit for the international stage.

The architect has been selected on a six-strong international shortlist for a £20m project to make over Stoke city centre’s public realm.

Gehl Architects has teamed up with Maccreanor Lavington Architects for the RIBA competition. Others on the shortlist include:

  • Leit-Werk Ltd, London, with Schoniach (landscape) / WSP (environmental) / Savant International (QS)
  • Glenn Howells, architects; landscape & Urban Design, Birmingham
  • Assemblage, London, with: Area (landscape)/Spiers & Major (lighting)/Elliot Wood (engineers)/Cyril Sweett (QS)
  • Hulme Upright Manning, Stoke, with Stephen Broadbent (Artist/Sculptor)/Townsend & Renaudon(QS)
  • OCArchitecture, London, with Birk Nielsen (Landscape) / Steer Davies Gleave (Transport Engineering) / Gardiner Theobald (QS)
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Designs were assessed anonymously by a jury including former Cabe commissioner Les Sparks and designer Wayne Hemmingway.

Sparks said architects were drawn to the competition because transforming Stoke presented a challenge.

He said: “Competitors evidently found this to be a challenging assignment – but we are confident that our six shortlisted teams will generate exciting ideas to make the streets and squares of this historic city extremely attractive to residents, visitors and investors.”

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