London Leaders Discuss What Makes the City Thrive at London Transport Museum
At London Transport Museum, leaders from London’s culture, architecture, property and transport sectors discussed what makes places thrive. The event, *Place by Design or Connection?*, was held in partnership with London Design Festival 2026. Journalist Emma Nelson of Monocle Radio and BBC London moderated the discussion. The panel included architect Jose Esteves de Matos, English National Ballet executive Anu Giri, the museum’s learning and participation director Fenella Goodhart, Shaftesbury Capital’s Georgina Grant and Transport for London’s David Rowe. They considered the roles of design, infrastructure and investment alongside community ties, partnerships and shared experiences in shaping vibrant places across the capital. Museum chief executive Elizabeth McKay opened the event by linking the discussion to plans to reinvent the museum’s Covent Garden home ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2030. She said it had prompted debate about how places are created and sustained, and that the museum hoped to host more events on issues affecting Londoners. Rowe described TfL’s approach as human-centred: working with local councils to co-design safer, more accessible and culturally vibrant areas, while prioritising green infrastructure to improve climate resilience.
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