The new regime of regeneration in London has seen areas which have previously proved difficult to unlock – the City fringes, Paddington and much of Southwark, for example – boom. In every case, these projects have included huge elements of community gain: affordable housing; better transport links; and public space.
The agenda set by the Urban Task Force posed the greatest challenge in decades to the planning system with its emphasis on mixed uses and higher densities. Developers have adapted quickly to this changing regime. The success of groundbreaking schemes and a long cycle of growth in the housing market revolutionised attitudes towards City living and great strides have been made on repopulation of the inner areas. The next challenge will be to react to the consequences of climate change which are imposing an even greater responsibility on everyone who plans to build or develop.