Major city in uk urban issues: London.

• Location and importance:

  London is located in South East England on the River Thames. It is the site of a Roman settlement dating back to Ad43. 

  London is the UK’s capital and also the largest and wealthiest city. It also has status as a world city with global influence. Along with New York it is one of the two most important financial centres in the world.

  London has the global headquarters of many large international companies and is a base for media and communications networks, world renowned universities, legal and medical facilities, culture, entertainment and tourism.
• Population changes:

  • London’s population is higher now than it has ever been (8.6million)
  • London’s population is younger than many other places – 20 -30 year olds move to London looking for work as do international migrants, whilst older generations move out.
  • London is the most diverse city in the UK
  • Less than ½ the population are white British
  • 37% of the population were born outside of the UK
  • London’s population comes from all parts of the world (Jamaica, India, Nigeria etc. – ex empire countries)
  • Since 2007 increasing numbers from Eastern Europe under EU free movement laws.
• Cultural mix and multiculturalism have been advantageous for London.
• London offers an amazing array of food that is available on nearly every high street.
• London provides great exposure to other religions, languages and cultural parties.
• London hosts huge cultural events celebrating its multiculturalism, such as the Notting Hill Carnival.
• Integration and formation of ghettos can be a challenge in London.
• The Greater London Authority have produced a green roof map of around 700 green roofs in central London alone, covering an area of over 175,000m2.
• London uses canals, rivers and river jetties as significant water bird breeding roosts.
• London offers a huge range of green spaces open to the public including Hampstead Heath just 4 miles from Trafalgar Square, Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common which combine open space, wildlife habitat and recreational areas.
• London is home to a huge number of cultural attractions such as the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum.
• London's West End shows and tourist attractions include Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
• London offers a huge number of concert and cinema venues and lots of sporting events such as the Oxford-Cambridge Boat race, the Wimbledon Tennis Open, and the London Marathon.
• London also offers the usual mix of bars, restaurants and street entertainment.
• London is by far the largest contributor to the economy among the English regions and countries of the UK.
• In 2010 London’s gross value added (GVA) was over £274 billion.
• London represented 22 per cent of the UK total, the largest regional share.
• London was responsible for 46 per cent of the total UK GVA from the financial and insurance activities sector.
• London houses a major world financial centre and a range of business specialisms which attract a highly skilled workforce.
• London residents (aged 16 to 64 and working) are more likely to be employed in managerial, professional or associate professional and technical occupations, compared with the UK (54 and 43 per cent respectively in 2011).
• Public transport accounts for 25% of London's journeys.
• London also serves as a public transport network hub for the whole of the UK.
• London Commuters can travel on most forms of transport using the Oyster card.
• London also has an integrated cycle network.
• Urban decline is the deterioration of the inner city often caused by lack of investment and maintenance.
• This is estimated to be possible for about 40 per cent of London’s municipal waste after recycling or composting targets are achieved by 2031.
• Urban deprivation is a standard of living below that of the majority in a particular society that involves hardships and lack of access to resources.
• Dereliction is a condition where a property is no longer maintained and is in a state of disrepair.
• There is a sizeable supply of brownfield land in London, which to date remains untapped.
• Figures published by the Government recently highlighted that there were some 250 hectares of brownfield sites.
• Inequalities exist in housing, education, health, and employment in London.
• 16% of Londoners are in the poorest tenth nationally, whilst 17% are in the richest tenth of people.
• The richest 10% of people in London have 60% of all assets whilst the poorest 80% of the population share just 20% of all asset wealth in London.
• The top tenth of employees in London earn around four and a half times as much as the bottom tenth.
• House prices and rents are higher in London than any other part of the country.
• More people in London rent than own their house and those that rent pay more than half their weekly pay in rent.
• At the same time as those who live in poor quality, small rented accommodation, there are people living in some of the most expensive properties on the planet.
• Children across London do not get equal exam grades, but some of the school’s in London’s poorest boroughs are amongst the fastest improving schools in the country.
• Generally, the schools in the poorest areas score the lowest number of GCSE points per pupil.
• The people in wealthy areas tend to live longer than those in the poorer areas of London.