This thesis challenges the issues concerning town centres that provide publicly accessible yet privately owned shopping centres at the core of their civic urban space. The main focus of this research is to focus on the role of private interest on the public realm, specifically on how Croydon’s town centre will embrace the private sector for a second urban regeneration, following the approval of Westfield redevelopment plan. This subject is of contentious nature and has now become of global interest, especially following recent global events and the overall cultural changes society is currently experiencing. This study is located within a complex debate with the sole purpose of creating a safe, equal, environmentally sustainable and forward-looking civic space.

Irene Carlucci

︎Year 5