Swedish home furniture giant IKEA is taking a bold step toward urban planning, by acquiring 11 hectares of land in East London to build its very own neighborhood. 

The Strand East, as it is called, will feature 1,200 rental homes—all of which will be priced to appeal to a range of incomes. […]

“We have a very good understanding of rubbish collection, of cleanliness, of landscape management,” says project manager Anthony Cobden. 

Cobden adds that they further plan to “create a sense of place” that will be shaped rather than forced through promotion of community events, farmers’ markets and outdoor flower shops. 

“We would have a fairly firm line on undesirable activity, whatever that may be,” says Cobden. “But we also feel we can say, okay, because we’ve kept control of the management of the commercial facilities, we have a fairly strong hand in what is said in terms of the activities that are held on site.” 

IKEA To Build An Entire Neighborhood In London - DesignTAXI.com