London leads the way

The first decade of the 21st century has seen a transformation of the UK development scene. Major plcs and established industry figures have created a sophisticated and mature property market. They have been joined by a new and dynamic younger generation of developers and massive investment from abroad. Powerful new players have also emerged in the public sector, including CABE, the Mayor of London and a host of development agencies. London’s pre-eminence in Europe as a global financial centre has become fully established and is underpinned by the city’s stature as a cultural capital. New architecture has played a key role in promoting London’s image internationally. Foster and Partners’ 30 St Mary Axe, which will always be “the Gherkin” for many, and Marks Barfield’s London Eye have become the internationally recognised symbols of London. It was into this dynamic scenario that DP9 launched itself as a new partnership in 2004: its role in the world of planning and development in London has since become central.