Taluana Patricio is the Transport Planning Manager at the City of London Corporation. Originally from Brazil, she holds a degree in architecture and town planning, later studying civil engineering in London and specialising in highways and transportation. Since 2004, she has worked in development control and transport planning, shaping urban spaces to align with strategic visions. Known for fostering early collaboration with developers, she believes in shaping cities through shared vision and solutions that balance space and the needs of the community.
Through this interview, Taluana highlights the importance of early collaboration and negotiation in development planning, showing how aligning the City of London’s vision with developer constraints fosters sustainable urban outcomes.
Negotiation as a Key to Achieving Sustainable Outcomes
A key challenge in development planning is ensuring early engagement with developers and investors. These early discussions allow us to share the City of London’s vision, whether drawn from the local plan or our transport strategy and work collaboratively to shape proposals that reflect it. This requires a clear understanding on both sides of the outcomes we aim to achieve.
My team’s role is to review proposals and ensure they align with this vision, always considering the urban space. Collaboration in the City of London is generally strong, but in other areas, particularly smaller authorities with budget constraints, developers may be unable to deliver all desired elements. In such cases, priorities might include improving cycle routes, increasing cycle parking or enhancing public highways.
In the City of London, we have been able to secure cycle parking within new buildings, but public highway space is limited due to the historic street layout. This restricts the amount of public cycle parking we can provide, and building facilities are often reserved for occupants rather than the wider community.
Success depends on finding a balanced solution that meets broader urban objectives while respecting each site's unique constraints.
For these reasons, negotiation is essential. We focus on explaining why specific contributions, whether for infrastructure, highway improvements or sustainable transport, are needed, aiming for solutions that meet the City of London’s objectives and the developer’s practical constraints. While we may not achieve every element of our vision, securing even 50 to 60 percent can represent meaningful progress when it supports the long-term needs of the community.
Balancing Urban Development and Heritage Preservation
Planning decisions often require careful balancing, particularly in developments involving heritage buildings. In such cases, it is not always possible to meet all standard planning requirements, such as providing the ideal level of cycle parking within a building, because preserving historic fabric takes priority. Each application must therefore be assessed on its merits, weighing development needs against heritage and archaeological considerations.
When certain standards cannot be met on-site, alternative solutions are pursued. For example, developers may contribute funding toward local cycle infrastructure, enabling improvements to nearby routes or parking facilities without compromising the heritage site. This approach ensures that the long-term vision for the area and the protection of historic character is maintained.
These trade-offs are common in the City of London, where archaeology and historic preservation are particularly significant. Success depends on finding a balanced solution that meets broader urban objectives while respecting each site's unique constraints.
Managing Resident Concerns Within Legal Frameworks
Although the City of London has relatively few residents, its concerns are taken seriously and assessed reasonably. However, when issues involve highway safety, the approach differs. The local authority has a legal responsibility to all road users, and any changes must comply with the Highways Act and other regulations. Safety cannot be compromised, as the authority, rather than individual residents, would be liable in the event of an accident.
Requests related to non-safety elements, such as pocket parks, benches or greenery, can be accommodated if they meet safety requirements. Each proposal is evaluated carefully, balancing the desire for community enhancements with the need to maintain safe public spaces. This ensures that improvements are implemented responsibly, protecting residents and the wider public.
Harnessing Technology for Smarter Transport
Planning
Advances in technology have transformed how traffic and pedestrian data are collected and used. Today, real-time monitoring systems allow for live tracking of vehicle and pedestrian movements, making surveys and assessments far more efficient and accurate than in the past.
During my work in Croydon, for example, we used a smart Wi-Fi-based system to monitor a complex junction, providing instant access to data that significantly accelerated design and decision-making processes. Similar technologies are also applied on motorways, where traffic flow can be managed dynamically by adjusting speeds to reduce congestion.
Success depends on finding a balanced solution that meets broader urban objectives while respecting each site's unique constraints.
These innovations have greatly enhanced our ability to plan, design and manage transport networks effectively, enabling faster, informed and safer decision-making.
Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Careers
I recently spoke at a university about the shortage of students entering these fields, particularly women. As a member of the London Women in Engineering Group, I am acutely aware of the underrepresentation of women across STEM disciplines.
Civil engineering and transport planning offer far more than the common perception of numbers or construction work. These fields provide diverse opportunities, from shaping urban infrastructure to working in airports and extend well beyond traditional local authority roles.
There is a significant shortage of civil engineers and transport planners, and women remain underrepresented in these fields. Engaging directly with professionals is essential to understanding the full scope of the career, rather than relying on stereotypes or limited assumptions.
What makes transport planning particularly rewarding is its long-term impact. Projects begin on paper, yet years later, they shape the urban environment, creating a lasting legacy. Being part of that process, from initial concept to tangible outcomes, is fulfilling, and it is a key reason I am proud to work in this profession.
