In a time where financial viability is the main driver of urban planning, it is necessary to stop and think about the importance of social infrastructure is our cities. Social infrastructure are the buildings, spaces and places where people gather and meet each other, as well as the social relationships, activities and networks of care and support that take place in these places. In the case of London, as the mayor recognises, “social infrastructure is in of its great assets” (Mayor of London, 2020). If we think about what has made London an exciting city to live in, we can think about its nightlife, its cultural venues, its street markets, and its spaces for social interaction. Many of these places have resulted from grassroot initiatives and do not respond to the logic of financial viability. Indeed, many of these spaces are at risk because they are not as economically profitable in the short term as other uses.

In this paper, I discuss the importance of these grassroots social infrastructure in London, looking at a particular case study I have been involved with: grassroots initiatives and actions to reclaim the streets under the Westway, a flyover motorway that runs across North Kensington in West London. I first discuss the historical struggles during the construction of the motorway in the late-1960s, which led to a strong campaign that succeeded in claiming the 23 acres of land under the motorway for community ownership. I then discuss the most recent campaigns in the area during the 2010s, when austerity politics put at risk the social infrastructure of the area. Finally, I explain a recent project I have been involved with in the area: the Westway Community Street, where I collaborated with a group of local activists to lead the co-design process for improving the public spaces in the area. While discussing the actions for reclaiming the streets in these places, I discuss their value, their contribution to London’s social infrastructure and the challenges they face. I will also discuss how institutions can support and complement this grassroots social infrastructure.