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​Infrastructuring Camden: ​Fostering Inclusivity, Sustainability, and Innovation

Illustration of different locations around
  • Written byNicole Horgan
  • Published date 01 April 2026
Illustration of different locations around
Public Studio illustration | Illustration: Carlotta Novella
Central Saint Martins has pioneered a transformative approach to placemaking in Camden, London, by combining participatory design, sustainability, and long-term design-led community engagement. Since 2015, the college has collaborated with Camden Council, local charities, businesses, grassroots organisations, and residents to address social and environmental challenges through co-creative urban practices.
Central Saint Martins’ long-term commitment to local collaboration has laid the foundation for impactful research, built strong community networks, and fostered a culture of shared endeavour and reciprocity. Through this collaborative model, Central Saint Martins has demonstrated the power of creative partnerships to reimagine public and collaborative services and spaces, enhance social cohesion, respond to climate emergency and promote sustainable development.

Central Saint Martins (CSM) has developed an approach to placemaking in Camden, London, focusing on participatory design, sustainability, and arts-led community engagement since 2015. Platforms and programmes, including Public Collaboration Lab, Local Encounters and Public Studio have fostered collaborations with local charities, local government, businesses, and grassroots organisations, that aim to improve outcomes for Camden residents through arts-led community engagement, regenerative practices, and the creative use of space.

The extensive groundwork laid by these initiatives has fostered trust, built networks, and demonstrated the mutual benefits of collaborative placemaking, paving the way for impactful  knowledge exchange and research projects.Students, practitioners, researchers and numerous community members have worked together to tackle local challenges such as overcrowded living, social isolation, climate adaptation, access to fresh fruit and vegetables, and improvements to public space and community safety. The approach characterises CSM's mission to contribute to make Camden a ‘better place’ and improve the experiences of everyone living, working, or just spending time, in the borough, by sharing skills, ideas, and practices, fostering participatory approaches, and promoting sustainability and innovation.

CSM’s collaboration in the neighbourhoods around Euston began in response to the area's transformation due to nearby regeneration and infrastructure projects, including Kings Cross Central which gave a new home to CSM in 2011. Development disrupted local communities and not all benefited equally from the opportunities it provided. Recognising these challenges, CSM initiated a programme of long-term, community-centred projects including MAKE @ Story Graden, Public Studio, Climate Studio, Climate Action Market and Future Neighbourhoods.

These initiatives developed connections and capacities across various dimensions, demonstrated the benefits of creative partnership, and established a foundation for deeper engagement paving the way for further impactful projects. Collaborations with Somers Town Community Association, Old Diorama Arts Centre, Fitzrovia Youth in Action (FYA) and other partners highlighted the synergies of community organisations and local residents working with artists and designers with support from dutyholders such as the Council, Knowledge Quarter and developers.

Aims

  • Fostering participatory and collaborative design approaches involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
  • Developing social and economic innovation encouraging enterprise and job creation, enhancing social cohesion, and creating economic opportunities through creative practices.
  • Supporting neighbourhood level climate adaptation initiatives as part of Camden’s response to climate emergency.
  • Contributing creative capacity to address local goals and challenges working with partner organisations from public, private and third sector.
  • Implementing agile responses to urban challenges and leveraging temporary uses to deliver community benefits.

Initiatives and activities

Curiosity cabinet, Mobile Makerspace, Access to Meanwhile, Public Studio and Climate Studio

These early projects laid the groundwork for CSM’s collaborative efforts in Euston. They established networks of trust, demonstrated the potential of partnerships with artists and designers, and highlighted the mutual benefits of working together. They exemplify an approach termed ‘infrastructuring through projects,’ which builds connections and capacities across relational, operational, and strategic dimensions.

MAKE @ Story Garden

The MAKE @Story Garden project, initiated in 2019, is a collaborative effort between CSM, the Somers Town Community Association, Camden Council, and Lendlease. Located in Somers Town, London, the project delivered a community studio and maker space with the aimof fostering inclusive access to creative activities while addressing social issues and local challenges. It has engaged over 2,700 residents through workshops and activities, promoting arts and cultural participation. The project exemplifies successful cross-sector collaboration.

Climate Action Market

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, the project bought together local partners in Camden to facilitate behaviour change in the waste and consumption of local citizens and local businesses. Central Saint Martins, UAL, the Somers Town Community Association, the Knowledge Quarter, University of London, and University College London delivered a range of activities and workshops with residents of Somers Town – from sewing sessions to sustainability markets. The consortium of local partners explored how to make positive changes to benefit personal finances and the planet. 800 locals took part in the project, and both the participants and students highlighted their increased awareness around environmental issues, their newfound inspiration for climate action, and changes in their consumption habits.

Somers Town Future Neighbourhood 2030

Funded by the Mator of London, Future Neighbourhoods 2030 supports council and community led initiatives to tackle the impacts of climate change at the neighbourhood scale. A portfolio of projects delivered between 2022-2025 address circular economy, greening and growing, walking and cycling, insulation and energy use. CSM contributes design support and training to the residents and community organisations developing and delivering these projects.

Placemaking outcomes

More accessible

Creating opportunities for residents and voluntary and community sector organisations to access and benefit from the creative capacity that CSM has to offer.

More equitable

Focusing on engaging and improving outcomes for those residents that are most adversely impacted by economic and ecological challenges, ensuring their knowledge and expertise is valued and mobilised in finding solutions.

More inclusive

Involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders in placemaking processes. Partnerships, activities and workshops have been tailored to reach diverse demographics, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

More sustainable

Supporting eco-friendly and regenerative practices that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the area.

More innovative

Developing new models for engagement and participation in place-based projects, which have supported residents and partner organisations to find new ways of addressing local challenges.

More prosperous

Providing enterprise initiatives and skill-building programs, CSM has supported residents to start their own businesses and pursue new employment and education opportunities.

Nurturing collaborative and sustained engagement

Engaging diverse stakeholders

Approach: Implementing community-focused partnerships and programmes and creating supportive spaces for meaningful participation.

Inclusivity and accessibility

Approach: Developing diverse activities and collaborating with multiple stakeholders to ensure broad community engagement and participation.

Resource allocation

Approach: Leveraging partnerships and securing funding to support locally impactful initiatives.

Legacy

CSM’s collaborations in Camden demonstrate an embedded ‘infrastructuring’ approach to placemaking. The collective impact of interventions, networks and projects foster enabling conditions for social action and transformation towards fairer and greener places. The work sets a precedent for using situated collaborative and creative methods to support local organisations and the communities they serve in the inclusive transformation of their neighbourhoods.