The UK’s creative industries are a remarkable example of innovation and resilience. The rise of this sector has been accompanied by a renewed sense of value for the role of culture in our cities, an increased interest in the study and practice of urbanism, and a greater appreciation for the complexity and diversity that characterises thriving places.

Through research, mapping, photography and illustration, Place, Spaces, Work: The Creative Industries in London explores where, why and how creative production thrives in the city.

It reveals that if London is to retain its competitive edge and creative talent, current development models and policies must evolve. The creative industries in London require investment in education, digital and physical infrastructure, innovative models of development and tailored policies. Creative practitioners need access to markets, clients and networks, as well as room for experimentation and affordable spaces.

Decision-makers in both the public and private sectors need to ensure creative production and culture are supported, and to reevaluate what is needed for the creative sector to continue to flourish.

The publication is presented in three parts. ‘Place’ is an atlas that maps the locations of creative industries in London, highlighting the civic and cultural activities that surround them, the proximity of these places to the centre of the city, and the significance of clustering.

‘Spaces’ presents illustrated case studies of buildings and neighbourhoods that house the creative industries and the adaptive reuse of existing building stock for creative workspaces.

'Work’ unpacks the value of the creative sector to the UK economy and details major factors that will affect its future success, from education to international trends in digitisation and co-working spaces. Bringing together recent data, comment and debate on the challenges facing the sector, ‘Work’ reaffirms the urgency of maintaining progress, access to networks and opportunity for creative industry workers.