Oxford Street Design Guardian

Shaping the holistic design and delivery of the Oxford Street District

In August 2020, Publica was appointed Design Guardian for the public realm of the Oxford Street District. In this advisory role, Publica provided strategic oversight across the design and delivery of Westminster City Council’s long-term vision to strengthen the district’s status as one of the world’s leading places to live, visit, shop and work.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought renewed urgency to this work. Already committed to a coordinated, district-wide approach, it was recognised that the pressures of the pandemic demanded action, to reinvent what an internationally renowned high street could look like.

A book cover with a yellow cover reading "Oxford Street District Framework" and brightly coloured illustration of buildings and a street beneath it.
An open book with the page heading "What is the Oxford Street District?".
An open book with the page heading "Vision" and subheading "Reinventing the nation's high street".
An open book with the page heading "Criteria for success".
An open book with the page heading "Oxford Street District 2030".

The framework document, developed by Publica and Westminster City Council, sets out the comprehensive programme of improvements, and the ways in which the Oxford Street District will transform over the coming years.

Publica and Westminster City Council developed a framework to reimagine Oxford Street for the future. Building on the Place Strategy and Delivery Plan approved in 2019, the programme of improvements operates at two scales: an immediate response to accelerate post-pandemic recovery, and a longer-term strategy using catalyst projects as a springboard for lasting transformation. 

With elements of delivery already underway, the Oxford Street District delivery programme sought to unlock the area’s true potential – securing its success and shaping one of London’s most iconic streets for generations to come.

Section illustration of a pedestrianised Oxford Street with some cars and the underground station and entrance.

Publica commissioned Squint/Opera to bring the framework document to life through film

Delivered by Spring 2021, this series of interventions reimagined Oxford Street for new patterns of use. Thoughtfully designed streetscape improvements, from additional greenery and seating to widened footways, transformed the look, feel and accessibility of the area. Collectively, these changes created a welcoming, revitalised environment, helping to draw visitors back to the district and providing an opportunity to enable Oxford Street’s post-Covid recovery.

Publica designed a new brand identity for the Oxford Street District, to support the communication of the project and its realisation. Comprehensive brand guidelines proposed how to express the project’s vision and values through all materials, such as street dressing, colour palettes and signage, ensuring a cohesive and compelling presence throughout the district.

A person walks past a brightly coloured wall with geometric shapes.

  • Year

    2020–22

  • Client

    Westminster City Council

  • Project type

    Visions, Strategies and Masterplans

  • Collaborators

    Westminster City Council, Murphy Carey Joint Venture (MCJV), BDP, Coverdale Barclay, NWEC, OSD Partnership

  • Location

    City of Westminster

Publica to support delivery of Mayor’s transformative Oxford Street regeneration plans

Illustrated plan of the Oxford Circus with streets and public spaces drawn in yellow for emphasis and the façades of buildings visible.

Oxford Street District Place Strategy and Delivery Plan

Illustrated view of three sections of Oxford Street and underground entrance with pedestrianised streets and extensive street activity.

A Future for the Oxford Street District