Lichfield Planning led a consortium preparing a regeneration strategy for Bethnal Green in east London, where there was severe multiple deprivation, ethnic tensions and a large number of young people, many from ethnic minorities, in poor, often overcrowded housing and inadequate recreation facilities. The physical environment was poorly planned, designed and maintained, the parks and community facilities were not easily accessible from the housing area by busy roads, and its congested shopping street was inhospitable to pedestrians. 

Although originally commissioned with a focus on the physical environment and access to facilities, our study aimed to understand the causes of the deprivation and address the inter-relations between environmental, economic, and social issues with particular emphasis on strengthening communication between local communities and service providers.

The study revealed, in addition to the known problems, the impact of council assisted gentrification on rising house prices, shortage of affordable housing and severing of multi-generation families as the young moved further east. 
Our work involved close liaison with all stakeholders, and our proposals included recommendations for institutional structure to establish fruitful ongoing involvement as well as recommendations for housing policies and urban design/environmental improvements.