Won through an international competition, the Vauxhall Missing Link project is an urban design framework aimed at strengthening connections between the Vauxhall/Nine Elms/Battersea (VNEB) regeneration site and the South Bank. It sets out a comprehensive public realm strategy to bring visual coherence, delight, sustainability and green infrastructure to an area with a rich but under-appreciated history.

Inspired by Vauxhall’s vibrant past, including the famous Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, the framework introduces the ‘Promenade of Curiosities’ - a route designed to invite discovery and interaction, both day and night. The promenade acts as Cabinet of Curiosities, coined by local Victorian collector Tradescant, where historic fragments and a series of permanent and temporary installations connect visitors to Vauxhall’s unique heritage. While deeply rooted in history, the framework’s proposals are thoroughly contemporary, embedding themselves in the local character and supporting social cohesion. The project was presented as a flexible toolkit of projects for phased implementation by multiple agencies over time.

Sustainability lies at the heart of the Vauxhall Missing Link framework, addressed holistically by combining environmental, social, and economic benefits. Urban greening, sustainable drainage systems and biodiversity enhancement form integral parts of the design, creating green buffers that separate pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles while mitigating urban heat and flooding risks. Planting palettes reference species historically collected by Tradescant, carefully vetted for resilience to climate change. Playful, pollarded trees act as wayfinding elements. The scheme prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians, particularly along Vauxhall Walk, a key route connecting transport hubs to emerging cultural quarters. The proposals improved Vauxhall’s relationship to the Thames with a greener Albert Embankment, improved shore access and tidal habitat creation.

The framework’s phased approach allowed for early prototype projects such as rain gardens and living walls to demonstrate benefits and build momentum for larger-scale interventions, providing a clear design guide for developers and agencies shaping Vauxhall’s public realm. Vauxhall’s rain gardens were forerunners and are continuing to feature as good practice example in various GLA and local authority guidance documents.