Despite its central location, parts of Euston are some of the most disadvantaged areas within the London Borough of Camden. The arrival of HS2 and the vast changes to this already challenging situation have further impacted on the lives of those living and working in the area, and this will continue for another thirty years. Within this context, the Euston Pilot leverages temporary uses as a way to demonstrate the possibilities, and explore the potential, to bring forward the benefits of the development to those who already live and work in the area. The intention is to eventually contribute to the wider masterplanning and policy-making for these areas, towards inclusivity, equality and regenerative practices that improve quality of life.

Key to this challenge is the recognition of the complex web of community organisations and residents’ groups who are active on site to alleviate the existing issues, with a rich capital of knowledge and practices developed over the years. Besides, the challenge acknowledges a certain ‘consultation fatigue’ that has been permeating the site and the redevelopment, where residents are often asked similar questions by different consultation groups, and yet their answers may remain substantially unheard, thus exacerbating feelings of frustration and mistrust towards the regeneration project.

The meanwhile strategy is understood as the opportunity for better weaving existing engagement and consultation processes, developing spaces, tools and methods that can support collaborative and reciprocal engagement, and contribute to build trust between the residents and regeneration stakeholders. Besides, it aims at developing opportunities of empowerment and capacity-building for individuals and organisations at Euston that can contribute to their adaptation and resilience to ongoing and future transformations of the area.

Lastly, temporary uses are seen as ways to address pressing issues experienced by the local communities such as safety and loss of public spaces.

Four innovation missions set the ground for the meanwhile strategy of the pilot:

1. Arts, Culture & Heritage: This mission aims to support art, architecture and public realm improvements that stimulate creative expression, foster identity, and make Euston’s culture, community, heritage and history accessible to all, visible, and contributing to add beauty to them in the process.
2. Collaborative & Circular Economy & Enterprise: This mission aims to foster an inclusive and regenerative economy in and around Euston, including providing active support for local residents, especially young people, to start up new (social) businesses. This includes promoting and investing in local markets to activate the public realm, increase footfall and promote local business activity.
3. Growing & Greening: This mission aims to deliver networked, accessible and ambitious green and open spaces in the Euston area. With many green spaces lost to development and the future densification of the area, it is crucial that green and open spaces of many scales are available to those that live and work in the area. It is important to promote and prioritise community ‘ownership’ of spaces, and involvement in their ongoing transformation, supervision and maintenance.
4. Safe & Convivial Streets and Spaces: This mission aims to ensure that streets and spaces are clean, welcoming and safe, and designed to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour whilst connecting cultural and community activities. It also aims at ensuring that streets and spaces are adequately maintained and cared for by council and community.