A panel of experts consisting of architects and designers has been enlisted by Boris Johnson to offer their opinions on major regeneration initiatives in London.
As the Mayor's office announced last month, the move forms part of attempts to improve the efficiency of property development in the city, including everything from planning and design to the procurement process.
The panel has been labelled the Mayor's Design Advisory Group, and it is hoped that its members will help to build on the economic stimulus that the Olympic Games brought to the streets of the capital through providing advice on various schemes.
"London is an ever-changing city. With the enormous potential of regeneration being unlocked across the capital, we must promote architecture and design of the highest possible standard," Boris Johnson said.
"The advisory group will be instrumental in shaping not only a London-wide design strategy, but also advising on key planning decisions which have a direct impact on our high streets, public places and neighbourhoods across the boroughs."
While the group will initially focus on projects led by the Greater London Authority and Transport for London, the introduction of the panel is indicative of the emphasis on improving the capital's infrastructure.
And as the city continues to be perceived as a safe haven for commercial property investment by both domestic and overseas buyers, any focus on maximising the potential of regeneration projects is likely to give London's image a further boost.
Indeed, given the capital's position as one of the world's most important economic centres with a particularly strong services sector to boot, office space remains high on the list for investors hoping to benefit from the relatively safety of the city's market.
With competition high and demand strong in spite of the financial downturn, opportunities to purchase commercial property to let in London are often snapped up particularly quickly in what is traditionally a lucrative sector with a seeming resilience to external factors in the lettings industry.