East London is the creative hub of one of the world's most dynamic cities and is seeing a resurgence of craftspeople breathing life back into traditional practices. This reflects a global interest in a return to handmade products created with individual passion. This book takes an intimate look at the people behind the craft, their studios and their practices to see what it takes to be a maker in a world of increasing mass production.

A journey through 30 inspiring interiors in London's most creative and diverse neighborhood East London is known the world over for its creativity, diversity and rich history. Stylist and author Sarah Bagner and photographer Jon Aaron Green have stepped through the doors of the most exciting homes in the area, each one reflecting the individual style of the people who live there. Artists, architects, designers, musicians, restaurateurs and more have transformed both classical and modern spaces to reflect their personal tastes. Combining insightful text based on Sarah's interviews and beautiful photography from Jon, these homes capture the unique and eclectic spirit of a fast-changing East London.

"I am going to write every single day and tell you about my life here in Spitalfields at the heart of London..." Drawing comparisons with Pepys, Mayhew and Dickens, the gentle author of Spitalfields Life has gained an extraordinary following in recent years, by writing hundreds of lively pen portraits of the infinite variety of people who live and work in the East End of London. Everything you seek in London can be found here - street life, street art, markets, diverse food, immigrant culture, ancient houses and history, pageants and parades, rituals and customs, traditional trades and old family businesses. Spend a night in the bakery at St John, ride the rounds with the Spitalfields milkman, drop in to the Golden Heart for a pint, meet a fourth-generation paper bag seller, a mudlark who discovers treasure in the river Thames, a window cleaner who sees ghosts and a master bell-founder whose business started in 1570. Join the bunny girls for their annual reunion, visit the wax sellers of Wentworth Street and discover the site of Shakespeare's first theatre. All of human life is here in Spitalfields Life.

Startup London delves into the lives and workspaces of the passionate people who have ventured into the unknown, revealing the truths and challenges they've experienced first-hand. Together their unique stories show what it takes to make it on your own in the city. With beautiful photography and compelling personal stories, this book brings together 30 of the most creative, inspirational startups in London.

Public spaces are a fundamental feature of where we live, representing sites of sociability and acting as a perceived measure of the quality of urban life. The rejuvenation of public spaces is also a key policy concern. This report draws on qualitative research in a multi-ethnic area of East London to consider the social value of spaces. As well as green spaces, the study looks at everyday spaces not usually highlighted in research or policy. It considers spaces along with place attachment, and explores the different types of social encounter spaces afford and analyses relationships between ethnicity and public space, and reflects upon the potential of spaces for fostering inter-ethnic understanding. It investigates links between different public spaces and well-being and discusses social and symbolic aspects of places and highlights a market which encapsulates many of the valued features of public space, shows how regeneration proposals raised 'public space consciousness' and addresses policy implications. By providing a significant contribution to current debates around links between public spaces, social relations and well-being, the findings have particular implications for 'Cleaner, Safer, Greener', 'Community Cohesion', 'Sustainable Communities' and 'Choosing Health' policies. The study will be of interest to policy makers, practitioners and academics in public space, regeneration, community cohesion and community involvement, as well as those with an interest in well being.

Jenny Lewis spent three years in and out of studios across Hackney photographing a diverse range of artists inside their creative spaces. The result is a compelling picture of a creative community in the heart of East London at a time of great change as well as an unusual insight into the creative mind. Illustrators, filmmakers, jewellers, ceramicists and fashion designers not only invite us into their studio but also share their private thoughts about the creative process.