Times Square in New York could be the inspiration for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, according to Sadiq Khan.
The London mayor visited the tourist trap in Manhattan on Wednesday during a four-day visit to the Big Apple.
Since 2009, Times Square has been transformed by creating a series of pedestrian blocks and removing car access.
Despite initial concerns, and Donald Trump declaring the changes “awful”, Times Square is reportedly now regarded as an “unmitigated success”.
Mr Khan announced two weeks ago that he had secured Government support to rekindle a 2017 plan to make Oxford Street traffic-free, starting with the western end of the road between Oxford Circus and Selfridges.
However, major concerns have been raised by Westminster council, which oversees Oxford Street, and numerous residents’ associations.
Mr Khan, on his fourth official visit to the US in eight years, toured Times Square on Wednesday with former New York transport commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan.
She was the driving force behind the Times Square scheme under former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.
She told Mr Khan how it had doubled the amount of pedestrian space and led to improvements in public safety, air quality, and economic output.
Completed in 2017, the project carved out 2.5 acres of pedestrian-only space and transformed a notoriously congested intersection into a world-class civic space.
The work at Times Square started after an increase in road collisions. The changes involved closing Broadway to vehicles and building six new pedestrian plazas between 42nd and 47th Streets that include long granite benches.
Changes that were at first temporary were later made permanent, leading to a long-term reduction in pedestrian injuries and fewer crashes.
Crime in the area fell by 20 per cent and more than 80 per cent of visitors said that they feel safer.
Mr Khan said: “I am delighted to visit Times Square to see how the incredible regeneration here can provide inspiration for our plans for Oxford Street.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Oxford Street to deliver a safer, greener part of the capital that creates new jobs and boosts growth for London and other parts of the UK.
“If we can replicate some of the aspects of Times Square on Oxford Street, I am sure we can create a high street destination that will be the envy of the world once again."
Ms Sadik-Khan, said: “Great streets make great cities. Bringing new life to old streets like Broadway and Oxford Street offers new possibilities for a city that is healthier and more prosperous for millions of people.
“Reimagining Broadway showed that this can be done quickly, inexpensively and that it can be wildly popular.”
Dee Corsi, chief executive of New West End Company, the body representing 600 businesses in the West End, said: "The regeneration of iconic spaces like Times Square offers valuable insights as we work towards Oxford Street’s transformation.
“It is crucial that we maintain momentum to deliver this transformation swiftly, realising its benefits for Londoners and the wider UK economy as soon as possible."
According to Building magazine, a new project team will be appointed to drive forward Mr Khan’s vision for Oxford Street.
