The London Transport Museum has hosted a discussion with Influential figures from London’s cultural, architectural, real estate and transport sectors, which explored what makes a place thrive.

The event was titled ‘Place by Design or Connection?’ and was held in partnership with the London Design Festival 2026. Panellists talked about the factors that shape successful and vibrant places across London and further afield.

London Transport Museum CEO and Director Elizabeth McKay opened the event and welcomed guests, then handed over to moderator Emma Nelson, who is a journalist who works for Monocle Radio and BBC London.

Jose Esteves de Matos, Director of De Matos Ryan, spoke in the discussion, as did Anu Giri, Executive Director of the English National Ballet.

Attendees also listened to contributions from Fenella Goodhart, Director of Learning and Participation at the London Transport Museum, Georgina Grant, Head of Asset Management at Shaftesbury Capital, and David Rowe, Director of Investment Delivery Planning at Transport for London.

The speakers drew on their own experiences and talked about what makes a place thrive – in particular, whether thriving places are created mainly through deliberate design, or whether they emerge through community and social connections and shared experiences.

Later this month, the Museum will be hosting discussions on the power of the arts, as well as a Halloween Silent Disco.

As a cultural and creative organisation reinventing its home in Covent Garden ahead of our fiftieth anniversary in 2030, London Transport Museum was thrilled to bring together such a distinguished panel of leaders who are passionate about shaping the future of London.

The discussion sparked genuine curiosity and debate, with speakers sharing unique perspectives on how great places are created and sustained. Events like this help us engage with the issues that matter to Londoners and strengthen our role as a dynamic, relevant and forward-looking organisation.

We look forward to hosting more events of this kind in the future as we continue to evolve and connect people with the capital’s rich history, culture and transport story.

Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO at London Transport Museum