Develop Croydon Conference delegates heard that the success of Croydon’s £5.25billion regeneration would be measured by how proud people will feel in future to live and work here.
Jo Negrini, the chief executive of London Borough of Croydon, outlined the ambitious programme which is already transforming Croydon – the fastest growing economy in the UK – into a modern 21st century city. She said there was a very positive buzz in Croydon at the moment, which was impacting on how people feel about the borough.
And she added: “In five years time how are we going to measure our success? It will be whether people feel proud about living and working in Croydon – it’s about people enjoying being in Croydon. That’s the end game.”
The council’s plans for the future of Croydon encompass, not just housing and jobs, but the development of a cultural offer, which includes the newly opened Boxpark at East Croydon Station, the planned redevelopment of the Fairfield Halls at College Green, and the Westfield-Hammerson shopping centre which will be the largest in Europe.
Ms Negrini paid tribute to the people of Croydon who have faced the tragedy of the Sandilands tram accident in recent weeks.
“What I saw in Croydon is the generosity and the strength and the caring of the community coming together to support each others,” she said.
“That’s what this place is all about – not just the development – that’s only one part of it. At its very heart, it is grit and compassion and generosity. It’s all around us with our rsidents and communities and it makes this a very strong place. And a place that is a pleasure to work in.”
Ms Negrini added that the key to Croydon’s transformation was not simply ‘top down’ investment by the council and developers. She said ‘bottom-up’ initiatives started by local people, like the award winning Rise Gallery, were equally important to the borough’s success
“Top down regeneration doesn’t work – it excludes people.” said Ms Negrini. “We are creating an environment where people can do stuff and we can work with them and enable them.
“That ‘top down and bottom up’ regeneration combination – that’s where you get the energy – that’s the regen sweetspot. In my mind that is what is happening here in Croydon.”