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Gordon Street and Gordon Square West: a new place to pause, meet and connect
17 June 2026
As part of a temporary trial, Gordon Street and Gordon Square West are now offering a vibrant new space for students, staff and visitors to pause, meet and connect at the heart of UCL.
Since 2024, UCL has worked in partnership with Camden Council to develop and implement trial changes to improve Gordon Street and Gordon Square West. These changes are now in place.
Led by Camden Council, Gordon Street has been partially pedestrianised, with access maintained for cyclists, deliveries, Blue Badge parking, emergency services and other essential vehicles. The traffic restrictions are being trialled for a period of up to 18 months from February 2026. A final decision on whether these changes will become permanent will be made before July 2027.
The redesigned street features colourful tables and chairs, creating welcoming spaces to sit, eat and spend time outdoors. A variety of seating styles supports different uses, from socialising and lunch breaks to group discussions.
Dozens of new plants bring colour and biodiversity to the area. Bee hotels have been introduced to support pollinators. The planting will be regularly watered and maintained to ensure the space remains enjoyable throughout the year.
Together with the shared space on Gordon Square (directly outside the UCL Institute of Archaeology), the area now offers a relaxed and sociable setting to take a break, meet others or pause between activities. These improvements respond directly to student feedback about the need for more informal places to sit, eat and connect on campus.
UCL has worked closely with Camden Council to support the delivery of these temporary changes. This has included gathering feedback during the consultation phase, liaising with stakeholders, and keeping the community informed throughout the works. This collaborative approach has helped ensure the space works well for both the UCL community and the wider neighbourhood.
We would like to thank all building users, colleagues, partners and contractors for their patience and support throughout the works. During this trial period, Gordon Street and Gordon Square West offer a greener and more people-focused space for everyone to enjoy.
How do you feel about the public realm changes and trial traffic restrictions? Let Camden know your feedback, whether positive or negative.
UCL is also driving improvements on Gordon Street, including a green wall, canopies and new cycle racks at the Christopher Ingold Building. These form part of UCL’s Bicentennial Physical Legacy Works, rooted in the UCL Estates 2050 Vision, and will be completed by the end of July 2026.