UK Working Group: Territorial Cohesion

Territorial Description: London

• London in UK Context;• What we mean by London;• Population;• Housing;• Infrastructure;• Economic Functions and Town Centres;• Planning Context.

Territory: London

• Capital of England and United Kingdom

• Home of 12.5% of UK Population on 0.6% of land area: – 7.75 million live in 3.3

million households;– 4,900 persons per square

kilometre

London in the UK context

• London is the political, economic, social and cultural capital of England and the UK

• London contains 12.5% of the UK’s Population on 0.6% of its land mass

London in the UK context (2)• Strong links with

surrounding areas (dependent on these for some growth as a ‘city region’)

• Physically constrained from outward expansion by the Metropolitan Green Belt

Population

Population distribution

Deprivation

Housing

What is the impact? National Housing Disparity:

• North/ South Divide;

• London House Prices over double national average.

• Post market crash- the trend is accelerating…

• High and rising rates- +17% increase in 2010.

London Variation

House Building Response

Tourist London vs. Our London1. Central Tourist London2. London 020 dialling code area in

red3. The London postal district in red4. Aerial imagery of London’s built

up areas5. London Travel To Work Area in

dark blue6. City of London in bright red7. Former County of London in green

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2 3

4 5

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Living in London Vs Commuting into London

Complex relationships of radial and cross-commuting flows into but also around London; biggest “pull” is Central London, with Heathrow also being a major attractor of long distance commuting.

722,000 people living outside the Greater London area commuted into London to work

London – 1 hour commuteLondon’s inter-relationship with the Greater South East

Existing Infrastructure (1)

London’s major roads and international airports

London’s international and national rail connections

Existing Infrastructure (2)Complex London-wide transport connectivity

Existing Infrastructure (3)London’s green and blue infrastructure

Future Infrastructure (1)Major transport projects will be altering London’s accessibility.

High Speed Rail: already completed line to Ebbsfleet and Ashford. Future plans for HS2 to link to Birmingham.

Crossrail: Speed and capacity expansion on main east-west growth corridor.

Infrastructure upgrades: General capacity expansion on most rail corridors, London Over- and Underground, Thameslink.

Future Infrastructure (2)

New Flood Barrier 2030+?

New Thames Crossing 2020+?

Thames Sewage Storage Tunnel

(2020)

Crossrail 1 (2018)

London 400kV Cable Tunnels (2018)

Lee Valley Sewage Storage Tunnel

(2015)

Crossrail 2 (2025?)

HS2 to Birmingham (2026)

New Island Airport?

Extended CC and LEZ?

Economic Centres

City of London Vs West End

Town Centre Networks

Changing Patterns of Economic Activity and Land Use

‘Places to Watch’ – East London

Emerging Economic Networks – London and the wider south-east

Planning Legislation

Recent Changes in Legislation

• New Coalition Government elected in 2010• Major changes to planning system:– Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies – Localism Act 2011• Neighbourhood planning • Duty to co-operate

– National Planning Policy Framework 2012• Planning as an instrument for economic growth

– Implementation of Community Infrastructure Levy

Pre and Post 2010

London: Local PolicyExample: London Borough of Richmond

Hierarchy of planning policies

National Planning Policy Framework (England)

The London Plan (Regional Strategy)

Richmond’s Core Strategy (Local Plan)

English local government forms :•Within London: 32 London Boroughs and City of London•Outside London: County Councils and below District Councils

Population data:England – appr. 52 millionLondon – appr. 8 millionRichmond – appr. 180,000Average of 160,000 per LPA!

Local Planning Authorities (LPA): • 326 Local Planning Authorities in England• Statutory town and spatial planning functions – developing plans, policies and making decisions on developmentsComparison of English local authorities to other EU countries:•France: 36,679 Communes – average of 2,000 habitants per commune•Germany: 12,141 municipalities – average of 7,000 per municipality•Switzerland: 2596 municipalities – average of 3,000 per municipality

Territorial Description: London