London
You would think that writing about London would be easy. It’s the capital of the United Kingdom after all. However, like so many things in life the devil is in the detail. London is a more complex beast. For example you have the City of London that is the ceremonial county and local government district. Nowadays the City of London is mainly used in reference to the central business district that resides there, similar to Wall Street in the US. Then you have London as it exists within the tourist industry, which encompasses the Borough of Westminster and such iconic attractions as Buckingham Palace, The UK Parliament and Tower Bridge. However, for the benefit of this post, I shall be using the term Greater London. It contains thirty two London Boroughs and is governed by The Greater London Authority. If this is still confusing, then this area is surrounded by the M25 London orbital Motorway. Anywhere inside that area is considered Greater London.
According to Wikipedia, Greater London has an area of 1,569 km2 (606 sq mi) and a population of 8,889,375. Over time the various towns and villages have grown and expanded to the point where the entire area is almost entirely urbanised. I live in Sidcup in the south east of Greater London. Bexleyheath, Chislehurst and Bromley are neighbouring districts but if you drive through all these areas, there are no obvious lines of demarcation. Such divisions exist only on maps or manifest in themselves more esoterically via the price of housing. Although Greater London is an expansive urban area, the density of population varies throughout and outlying suburban areas are less hectic. Despite the expanse of housing, Greater London has a substantial amount of parks and areas of natural outstanding beauty. The river Thames flows from west to east through the middle of Greater London.
Greater London in many respects can be considered a city state and certainly is unique in comparison to other UK cities. It is the centre of the UK’s wealth, political power and culture. Greater London is home to 12.5% of the UK population and creates 22% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Roughly £500 billion a year. Greater London has an allegedly educated population with 60% of workers having a degree. It is also a very multicultural and diverse place. Over 300 different languages are spoken and there are cultural influences from around the world. All of which, when added to the history and pageantry associated with the capital, contribute to making Greater London an exciting and vibrant place. If you are seeking entertainment, culture, the arts, good food, open spaces or just to explore a place that is simultaneously modern as well as old, then Greater London can offer it all.
Although I genuinely believe all these positive things about Greater London, it is a very polarised place. Wealth is far from spread equally with rich boroughs residing next door with the most deprived. Property prices are very high and as the population increases, insufficient new housing is being built. Despite having a very efficient public transport system, Greater London still struggles to deal with the daily commute as workers travel from the suburbs to the city centre. There is increasing demand upon all local resources, such as roads, schools and hospitals. Life expectations and healthcare is not consistent across the various boroughs and it all comes down to wealth. Plus where there is poverty, there is more crime. Aside from these weighty issues, there are smaller concerns that can also change your perspective. Every part of Greater London is getting busier. The growth in population in the outlying suburban areas means more cars, more congestion and more noise.
The problems confronting Greater London are far from unique. Most major cities in the UK and possibly Europe face the same issues. There never seems to be a comprehensive plan to deal and facilitate inevitable growth. I travel up to central London two or three times a year and although I always enjoy myself, I am always amazed by the sheer number of people going about their business. Yet for some, it is that very quality that they find invigorating. The hustle and bustle of the city and its nightlife are part of its allure. Which is why I was happy to work and play in central London 20 years ago. Age, however, changes one’s perspective. As a result, I am beginning to tire of the excessive traffic in my own street. The ambient noise produced by so many people that persist wells into the night. The delays that incur when trying to get a doctor’s appointment. Again I return to the possibility of moving out of Greater London and finding a new home in a more rural setting. Time will tell.
