MyCity: LONDON

THE ARRIVAL OF THE TRAIN LED TO A RAPID SPREAD OF LONDON’S FOOTPRINT – A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE SUDDEN GROWTH OF THE SUBURBS IS THE CONSTRUCTION IN 1863 OF CLAPHAM JUNCTION – ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH JUST ONE LINE, IT IS NOW EUROPE’S BUSIEST STATION BY NUMBER OF TRAINS THAT PASS THROUGH IT (100-180 PER HOUR). The growth of the rail network and strong population growth spurred the sudden rise in housebuilding (as well as the provision of retail and public houses that would go hand-in-hand with this) in areas such as Clapham and Battersea, expanding the capital’s commuter zone. Another example of this was the Metropolitan Line, which also had a huge impact – London’s suburbs were truly underway. In the years after World War II, London seized the opportunity to rebuild itself – much of which was entirely necessary. The area between Moorgate and Aldersgate, for example, had been completely destroyed in a single night of The Blitz, and from these ashes rose The Barbican Centre, offering world class culture, a school, a museum, and significant residential accommodation. Slums became high rise housing, and buildings such as the Royal Festival Hall (1951) appeared, which was the start of the modern-day South Bank.

There were significant changes to the city’s population, too. 1948 saw the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush from Jamaica. This accelerated London’s development toward the multiracial society that it is today – and yet another example of fresh, ambitious talent coming to see where life in London would take them, and where they could take London. Vast projects have changed the face of London in the last 30 to 40 years. King’s Cross is just one example of this, transforming a derelict area into one of its most attractive and sought-after quarters. These have been accompanied by very significant infrastructure projects – the most recent of which is the Elizabeth Line, which has bolstered connectivity with resulting benefits for areas such as Farringdon, where very high-quality office buildings are being delivered around the station as a result. London’s presence and success is by no means guaranteed. So far, this has been attributed to its ability to reinvent itself, to grow rapidly and prosperously (generally speaking) and to be open and accessible, attracting and retaining businesses and people to live, grow and help shape the city. This needs to continue to be the case for London to continue to flourish.

LONDON POPULATION 1801 - 2021

Expansion of London in population and global importance along with the introduction of the railways

Massive population, economic and geographic growth along with considerable poverty

10M

BATTERSEA POWER STATION STOPS

GENERATING ELECTRICITY

9M

8M

7M

FIRST SECTION OF LONDON UNDERGROUND OPENS

2012 OLYMPICS

WINDRUSH GENERATION ARRIVES

6M

ICONIC RED TELEPHONE BOXES INTRODUCED

GREAT EXHIBITION HELD IN THE CRYSTAL PALACE

FIRST COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN CANARY WHARF OPENS

5M

4M

IRISH FAMINE BRINGS IN REFUGEES

TOWER BRIDGE OPENS

Mid-century stagnation and decline following WWII & suburbanisation

Residential boom increases urban living, along with the growing cultural scene and globalisation increasing London’s draw

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE IS FOUNDED

COUNTY OF LONDON DIVIDED INTO 28 BOROUGHS

3M

2M

SEWER NETWORK OPENS

FIRST RAILWAY IN LONDON IS BUILT

1M

1801

1851

1911

1971

2011

2021

SOURCE: GB HISTORICAL GIS / UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH, A VISION OF BRITAIN THROUGH TIME.

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MYCITY / LONDON |