Integrated and connected: building better places around transport hubs

The way we think about cities is changing. In the past five years, the importance of connectivity, both physical and social, has never been clearer.

As we shift towards more sustainable, resilient forms of urban living, transport hubs are increasingly recognised as key drivers of regeneration, anchoring growth, improving access, and bringing communities together. 

For us at Muse, transport-oriented development (TOD) is not just about getting people from A to B. It’s about unlocking the potential of place, turning disconnected, underutilised areas into thriving communities. Done right, regeneration around transport hubs can create vibrant, well-connected places, where homes, jobs, leisure, and services are seamlessly integrated. 

Of course, not all regeneration needs to centre on transport. Take the work we did in partnership with Umberslade in Bristol at Wapping Wharf as an example. This thriving community sits by the harbour, not around a major interchange, yet it’s a great example of what can happen when placemaking is the goal, bringing together thoughtful design, meaningful uses, and a rich mix of homes and amenities that reconnect people to place.  

And while Wapping Wharf may not centre around transport, its success underscores the same core principle: better connectivity, socially, culturally, and physically, is what turns developments into destinations. For those schemes built around transport infrastructure, this potential is even greater.   

Approaching transport led regeneration

At Muse, we believe transport-connected places aren’t just easier to get to. Regeneration around transport hubs unlocks opportunity, supports economic vitality, and creates walkable, liveable neighbourhoods that stand the test of time. 

Our work starts by identifying strategic sites that are not just well-located, but underutilised – places where good transport infrastructure exists, but the public realm, housing and employment offer hasn’t kept pace. These are often places fragmented by roads or lacking in identity. We see those challenges as opportunities to do something transformative. 

Our approach is collaborative from the start. We bring in local authorities, transport providers and national agencies early, working in partnership to align infrastructure upgrades with placemaking ambitions. That includes engaging bodies like Network Rail, Transport for London, Homes England and the GLA, as we did in our project at Lewisham Gateway. 

In complex urban locations, this early and continued partnership is vital. It means we can coordinate road layouts, reroute services and even uncover buried rivers while keeping things running smoothly. It’s not always easy, but it’s what makes these projects deliver real impact. 

Why transport hubs matter in successful regeneration

Transport hubs hold far more value than simply moving people from one place to another. When we build around them with purpose, they become the spine of new neighbourhoods, enabling places that are not only easier to reach, but richer in opportunity, experience and identity. 

A well-connected location allows us to embed sustainability from the outset. By designing around public transport, we reduce reliance on cars, encourage walking and cycling, and support healthier, low-carbon lifestyles.  

Transport hubs also unlock the potential for growth in a way few other assets can. Their existing infrastructure supports greater density, enabling the delivery of hundreds or even thousands of new homes in central, sustainable locations. Crucially, that’s paired with economic activity – shops, offices, leisure and workspaces – which can breathe new life into an area and stimulate long-term vitality. 

But successful regeneration isn’t just about buildings, it’s about people. The places we create around transport hubs must work for existing communities as much as for new residents. That’s why we invest in local partnerships, training and employment schemes, and cultural initiatives that support social value throughout the development process. 

A more connected future for our cities

As we look ahead, regeneration around transport hubs offers a clear opportunity to shape places that are more sustainable, more inclusive, and more resilient. But making the most of these opportunities requires us to think beyond infrastructure alone and to consider how transport can help bring together homes, jobs, public spaces and local services in ways that genuinely improve people’s day-to-day lives. 

We approach transport-led regeneration with this broader perspective. We see stations, interchanges and gateways not just as points on a map, but as platforms for wider change, where good design, strong partnerships and long-term thinking can create places that are functional, welcoming and meaningful. 

From Lewisham Gateway to Arden Cross, our work shows how better physical and social connections support thriving communities and help towns and cities grow in the right way. It’s not just about delivering access. It’s about delivering value, opportunity, and a sense of place that endures. 

Arden Cross

Working in partnership with Arden Cross Ltd, Birmingham City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, the University of Warwick, and HS2, Muse is delivering this ​major UK regeneration project leveraging innovation and connectivity to create a new mixed-use community. ​ 

The development includes thousands of new homes, offices, retail spaces, leisure facilities, and public areas. It is supported by £3.2bn in investment in one of the best connected locations in the UK, integrating Birmingham Airport, with the new HS2 Interchange, and the existing motorway network.  

At its heart is the Arden Cross HealthTech Campus, anchored by the University of Warwick, which will drive advancements in healthcare technology, skills development, and patient outcomes. ​ It is enabling the creation of national centres of excellence, flexible spaces for SMEs, and facilities for research, diagnostics, and education. ​  

Stockport Exchange

In partnership with Stockport Council, we’re delivering the award-winning £145m Stockport Exchange. The new business district is a key component of the Council’s vision for the borough and is already home to multiple local, national and international brands. 

Stockport Exchange represents a significant urban regeneration project centred around Stockport railway station, transforming the area into a vibrant mixed-use community. This development strategically leverages its position as a major transport hub to create a sustainable, connected neighbourhood. 

The development includes five Grade A office buildings totalling approximately 375,000 sq ft of commercial space, 250 residential apartments across two buildings, a 115-bedroom Holiday Inn Express hotel, and 24,000 sq ft of ground-floor retail and food and beverage space. The masterplan also incorporates significant public realm improvements with a new town square and enhanced pedestrian routes connecting to the station. 

Stockport Exchange stands as an exemplar of how strategic public-private collaboration can deliver complex urban regeneration. By creating a mixed-use community anchored by enhanced transport connections, the development addresses multiple objectives: economic growth, sustainable development, housing delivery, and improved connectivity, while revitalising a key gateway to the town. The partnership approach has also been instrumental in securing funding, navigating planning complexities, and ensuring the development meets broader regional objectives. 

Lewisham Gateway 

The Lewisham Gateway project has delivered urban realm regeneration around an existing major interchange, transforming a congested roundabout and traffic-dominated urban artery into a vibrant, connected neighbourhood spanning 14 acres.  

Blending 1,000 new homes, including affordable housing, alongside shops, cafes, restaurants, office spaces, and a nine-screen multiplex cinema, Lewisham Gateway is rethinking how the community, both new and old, is now exploring and enjoying this new destination in what was a congested, inaccessible urban space. 

The redevelopment has involved rerouting two rivers, diverting major utilities, and reconfiguring road layouts to unlock the site for regeneration. ​Muse prioritised pedestrian and cyclist-friendly spaces, and replaced the existing hostile environment with public squares, green spaces, and Confluence Park, which promotes biodiversity and ecological habitats. ​  

The unearthed rivers now serve as central features, enhancing the area’s natural appeal. ​ The transformation also integrated Lewisham Station, DLR, and bus services into a seamless transport interchange, improving connectivity and accessibility. ​By prioritising pedestrian routes and integrating public transport, the development also fosters a safe, welcoming environment that encourages community participation and economic activity. ​