Futurecity developed the Cultural Placemaking Strategy for Bromley South, supporting the transformation of the former John Lewis Partnership site into a new Build to Rent–led neighbourhood with a strong civic role within Bromley town centre.

The strategy was shaped by detailed contextual research into Bromley’s history, demographics and cultural infrastructure, alongside close alignment with John Lewis Partnership’s social value principles and the borough’s wider regeneration ambitions. It set out a place vision that positions Bromley South as a backdrop for everyday life moments, using culture to elevate the ordinary and create spaces that feel generous, inclusive and rooted in local identity.

A clear framework of cultural principles guides delivery across all phases, ensuring culture is embedded from the outset rather than added later. These principles informed a suite of short-term meanwhile projects and long-term legacy interventions, including artist-led pattern-making, site hoardings as public galleries, an urban room for community co-creation, school-led design challenges, and a connected series of embedded public art and cultural infrastructure known as “The Golden Thread”.

The strategy also set out governance, partnership and stewardship models to support long-term delivery, working with local cultural organisations, education providers, social enterprises and community groups. Together, the strategy provides a practical and values-led roadmap for integrating culture into Bromley South’s public realm, architecture and shared spaces - strengthening connections between the development, the town centre and Bromley’s diverse communities.

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