Urban design practice Urban Initiatives has been selected to draw up a development plan for Stratford town centre in east London.
The scheme is part of Newham council’s plans for an international rail station on a site next to the town centre. The station will serve the proposed CrossRail and Channel Tunnel rail links.

The station development includes retail units that will effectively shift the centre of the borough, now a shopping centre owned by developer Land Securities. Urban Initiatives associate director Marcus Wilshere said: “We are looking at the integration of the current centre with the new retail centre.”

Wilshere added that the development plan – which is less detailed than a masterplan – will consider reducing through-traffic and increasing pedestrianisation. He said: “Stratford is an area with potential. The plan is a strategic document and might well become part of supplementary guidance for the town centre.”

The plan, which covers 6.3 ha, includes the expansion of Stratford’s cultural quarter. Urban Initiatives has not been asked to include any development complementing a potential bid for the 2012 Olympics, earmarked to centre around a stadium in Stratford.

Stratford is an area with potential. The plan is a very strategic document

Marcus Wilshere, Urban Initiatives

Urban Initiatives beat off competition from three other practices for the contract, which was awarded by Newham.

It has until October to complete the plan.

London & Continental Railways, Stanhope and Chelsfield are developing the Stratford station project. Masterplanner for the rail site is Arup.