We’re proud to launch Downtown Reimagined - a summer article series that explores the City of London's Downtown Master Plan through a business lens.
Help shape the future of downtown. Share your ideas on the Get Involved London website.
1 - Help Shape the Heart of London
Let’s be honest—every city has a heart, and ours? It beats in the core. Whether you’re downtown for a board meeting, a beer on the patio, a Knights game, or a festival that shuts down Dundas Place, Downtown London is where business, culture, and community come together. But like any heart, it needs care, attention, and a long-term vision. That’s where the City of London’s Downtown Plan comes in.
And no, we’re not talking about a dusty binder that sits on a shelf somewhere.
The new Downtown Plan is an ambitious, city-led initiative that will set the direction for revitalizing our core in the years to come. It’s designed to guide how we plan, invest, and evolve Downtown London—and it will do so with clear goals, deep community engagement, and an eye toward action.
2 - Downtown Dollars and Sense – Why Business Needs to Be Part of the Plan
You step out of your downtown office, looking for a quick bite or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Maybe it’s a panini from a deli on Richmond, a wrap from the market, or a fresh espresso from a cozy new café on Dundas. As you wait, you run into a colleague you haven’t seen in a while. You talk shop, make a connection, and maybe even spark an idea that helps you reach new markets, better serve your customers, and ultimately grow your business.
That’s just part of the everyday magic of a thriving downtown.
When we talk about reimagining the core, it’s not just about new trees, patio culture, or public art—though those are all important. It’s about economic sustainability. It’s about creating a downtown that fuels entrepreneurship, draws investment, and generates meaningful employmen
3 - Culture, Community, and Concerts: The Power of Placemaking
When you think about what makes a city feel alive, culture is often at the heart of it. Whether it’s live music echoing through the streets, a theatre performance that makes you think, or a bustling festival that brings neighbours together—these moments of shared experience shape our connection to place.
Events like Sunfest—one of the largest free world music festivals in Canada—are shining examples of what’s possible when public spaces are activated through culture. Every summer, Victoria Park transforms into a vibrant cultural village, drawing tens of thousands of people from across the city and beyond. The ripple effects are significant: hotels are booked, patios are full, and small businesses see a boost in traffic. Just as important, people from every walk of life come together to enjoy music, food, and each other’s company.
4 - Safe Streets, Welcoming Spaces: Building an Inclusive Downtown
When most people think of cities, they think of the hustle and bustle of downtown cores. People walking, sightseeing, eating on patios, and a general lively atmosphere with events, festivals, and entertainment. In order for all of these things to happen, people must feel safe to come downtown and have easy access to these spaces. Obstacles such as open air drug use, inaccessible infrastructure, and lack of efficient transportation are all a detriment to the success of our core. When these obstacles are addressed and corrected, Londoners will feel more welcomed into their core and our downtown will feel more alive.
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hysical barriers that prevent people from moving and living downtown are an active deterrent for people to be in the core. From sidewalks to doorways to crosswalks, or infrastructure determines how many people are able to enjoy our city. These pieces of infrastructure must be accessible for all in order to realize the potential of our city. This includes accessible transportation such as paratransit to help move people where they need to go.
5 - If You Build It, They Will Come: Infrastructure for the Next Generation
Our perception of a city largely depends on how we interact with it. This can be anything from how it looks to how it feels. World class cities are architecturally interesting, have efficient transportation, and preserve heritage while also leaving room for innovation and progress. Infrastructure as a focus point covers many things that determine what makes a city successful and proper investment into infrastructure can help a city flourish. Park redevelopment projects, bus lanes, new housing, etc. can all go a long way to keep the core of London feeling vibrant and ensure that our downtown is a place where people want to meet, work, and live.