Our role
We provide independent civic oversight for public-space improvement, helping partners define priorities, test ideas, and keep decisions aligned with visible public value.
About the commission
A public-realm commission focused on practical local benefit.
We help shape better shared spaces across Kent and Medway by bringing public purpose, design thinking, and community voices into one clear process.
How we work
We connect local authorities, residents, community groups, and delivery teams through a transparent approach: clear briefs, open discussion, and practical recommendations grounded in place.
Why it matters
Better streets, squares, and public routes support everyday life, local pride, and shared wellbeing. Our aim is to make those outcomes easier to see, measure, and sustain.
Commission members
People shaping better shared spaces in Kent and Medway
Our members bring practical experience from design, delivery, stewardship, and community engagement so public-realm decisions stay grounded in local use and public benefit.
Anita Patel
Commission Chair
Former town-centre programme lead focused on practical improvements that make everyday streets safer and easier to use.
Tom Hayes
Urban Design Advisor
Works across high-street and waterfront projects, with a focus on durable materials and inclusive street layouts.
Sarah O'Donnell
Community Partnerships
Leads engagement with resident groups and youth organisations to keep project priorities tied to lived local experience.
Jamal Khan
Mobility and Access Specialist
Accessibility consultant advising on crossings, wayfinding, and route continuity for older residents and disabled people.
Emily Finch
Landscape and Ecology Advisor
Supports greener public spaces through planting, shade, and maintenance strategies that suit local town and coastal conditions.
Rachel Mensah
Civic Delivery Partner
Brings local-authority delivery insight to align design ambition with programme timing, procurement, and long-term stewardship.