In an article published by the Royal Society for the.. Arts.. (RSA) concerning the management London’s increasing population, Jonathan Schifferes suggests that most workers’ needs are not just about economic opportunities but also about the social and cultural life.
Jonathan Schifferes writes:
‘London in 2017 is a city desperately trying to keep up with itself, and not become a victim of its own success. For better and for worse, this is a city where lots of people want to be. It’s not just about economic opportunities, but about the social and cultural life. Whole neighbourhoods have been transformed since the 1980s, with physical transformation around the former docklands in the East. But while the industrial decline there was foreseen, the current rate of growth was difficult to see coming. London has struggled to build enough homes and keep them affordable for the people who want to make home here. Housing is key to ensuring that economic growth is inclusive….’
‘…Today we are publishing research which aims to shape London’s newest neighbourhoods. In particular, we assess the potential benefit in new large-scale development of providing a broader range of tenures than policy requires, in order to facilitate more mixed and balanced communities. Getting the housing mix ‘right’ should not be considered in isolation from investment in shared facilities which are ultimately where social mixing happens. Evidence shows schools and open space are particularly powerful in bringing neighbours together. And developers will indeed fund much of London’s social infrastructure for the next generation.’
For the full article and to see the report ‘Scale to Change: Building inclusive neighbourhoods through London’s largest new housing developments see the website.
