Richard Rogers, in his function of running the Architecture and Urbanism Unit for the Greater London Authority.
Sustainable growth in a world city
The Mayor’s vision for London is radical and challenging. He has stated that London’s population and economic growth should be accommodated within the city’s current boundaries, without erosion of open land. When one takes into account the other needs that these will create (from schools to health centres, and from parks to recycling facilities), it is clear that we need to make better use of available land and buildings, and to link the most intensive developments to new and existing public transport.
An urban renaissance should be founded on principles of design excellence, economic strength, environmental responsibility, good governance and social well-being. Design is the tool we use to give order, scale and beauty to our buildings and our public spaces. Design makes the difference between density and cramming, increases the quality of space and brings vitality to communities and neighbourhoods.
Design-led urban renaissance is about improving the quality of life in a city to make it a place where people want to live, rather than from where they want to escape. A successful and sustainable city needs to be both beautiful and environmentally responsible, both compact and polycentric, both coherent and as diverse as its citizens and communities. London needs to accommodate a mix of uses both locally and citywide, with good public transport, walking and cycling connections for the movement of its citizens. We must use previously developed land before green space, and should recycle buildings or adapt existing buildings to new uses. London’s development should build on its transport hubs and town centres, and should be based on sensitive planning, not unplanned sprawl or restrictive zoning.
We should use the opportunity of increased demand to build a new generation of spacious, well-lit and sustainable homes that meet the changing demographics of the city. We should worry more about low ceilings and less about high buildings (which can improve London’s unremarkable skyline, especially if grouped in clusters). We should look at new ways of using space, with roof gardens for citizens.
London has many fine residential buildings and public spaces – like the Georgian squares of Chelsea and Notting Hill – but precious few have been created in recent years. London should lead Europe in the quality of its buildings and spaces, not look with envy across the Channel or even at other UK cities. We can and must make London a sustainable and beautiful example to the world.
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I really do not see where this Beetham tower fits in, if the above represents the policy. Southbank is becoming a real planning distaster. MoreLondon, the new 60s style office block park behind the Tate Modern, the new hotel next to Waterloo and the other one planned for the Island site, an incoherent redevelopment of the South Bank Centre.... I guess it will remain what it has always been: cheap and nasty.