Totterdown Street Market, London Borough of Wandsworth for Wandsworth Council with Project Centre Limited

The vision for Totterdown Street focuses on creating a sustainable, appealing public space where residents can gather, socialise, and celebrate events, enhancing community cohesion and fostering a lively, inclusive atmosphere. A 12-month trial scheme was introduced with parklet interventions and coordination of the daily market. The community will be consulted post-trial, with the hope that the street can be permanently transformed.

Who is on the project? 

Landscape Architects - Project Centre

 What is the programme and use of the space? How does the project foster community, connect people and contribute to urban life?

The key priority was to provide an open space for the community to enjoy, representing Tooting’s character and energy. The Council commissioned Project Centre to design a 12-month trial scheme, so we established the initial framework for its implementation, allowing flexibility for it to evolve and support the successful management of the street. The design included parklets along the street, with places to relax and socialise. These are enclosed by colourful planters and robust, low-maintenance planting. They take up the space that was formerly used for parking. Colourful tables and chairs have been sourced along the street, matching Tooting’s identity and branding colours as well as helping tie the design together. Cycle hoops have also been installed to encourage active travel options, which have been popular from day one. A daily market operates along Totterdown Street, providing a space for local micro-businesses. Tooting Market manages the space under a service-level agreement with Wandsworth Council to ensure it is run according to specific guidelines. This includes closing the road between 11 am and 7 pm to create a pedestrian plaza, with additional pop-up markets and events throughout the year. To accommodate the delivery needs of nearby businesses, the plaza reopens between 7 pm and 11 am, and tables are cleared by 7 pm to minimise noise for nearby residents.

 How does the community space make a positive social and environmental contribution? 

The parklets have reduced the number of parked cars on the street, replacing them with small areas of planting and seating for the community to enjoy, separate from the market. This also benefitted the environment, by increasing biodiversity and improving air quality. These additions, along with extra greenery and colour, have transformed the street’s character to better reflect Tooting’s vibrant energy. Importantly, the parklets also introduce a touch of nature, attracting pollinators that were seen happily gathering pollen and nectar from the new plants. The market has provided a platform for local micro businesses to test ideas and grow in a low-risk, healthy environment. It has also created training opportunities for vulnerable people living next door toplinesupport.co.uk/ to help with the day-to-day running of Totterdown Street Market. They are on an apprenticeship scheme with Tooting Market to gain valuable skills and potentially a long-term employed role in the market.

Please explain the governance of the project, such as its viability, purpose, motivation and any consultation, co-creation or community engagement undertaken in the development of the community space. 

Transport for London had a desire to pedestrianise the road to prevent rat-run routes. Wandsworth Council saw the opportunity to do something positive in the street for the community and asked Project Centre to develop ideas for an early community consultation. There were two in-person events held at the market which were well attended and well received by the community. The consultation boards are still up in the market for people to review and comment on. Commonplace, a citizen engagement platform, for Totterdown Street was also set up to reach a wider audience, they can digitally review the information at their convenience, participate in a survey and email any relevant additional information through the project life cycle. It also provides Wandsworth with a way to collect data on the trial scheme’s outcomes, helping to assess its success.