London: Bigger and Better?
Continuing a debate about the capital’s future
Monday, 11 December, 2006, London School of Economics
Room D402, Clement House (Aldwych)
LSE London recently published a document entitled London bigger and better? which
summarised a number of key arguments about the growth and development of the
capital. If London’s population grows at the rate projected by official demographers,
there is likely to need to be significantly more housing and a major investment in
transport infrastructure. However, not all commentators believe such growth is
inevitable, or that new employment will necessarily be where it is currently expected.
Some – including the Mayor’s London Plan – argue for sharply higher densities of
development, while others believe London and its region has a tradition of more
suburban settlement. The environmental impact of development in urban areas in
different from that in rural or semi-urban ones. Finally, much of the growth in
London’s population will, in net terms, be driven by international in-migration. The
political management of change in the capital’s population is another major issue.
This event builds on the essays in London bigger and better?, though those
contributing will bring their own experience and beliefs to the event. There will be
plenty of opportunity for contributions from all those attending.
Chair: Tony Travers, LSE London
1745 Arrival and tea
1815 Chair’s Introduction
1820 Jenny Jones, London Assembly Member, Green Party
1835 Keith Moffitt, Leader, Camden
1850 Lord Victor Adebowale, House of Lords
1905 Anthony Mayer, Chief Executive, Greater London Authority
1920 Discussion
2000 Close and drinks