London

• 12.6% of UK population live in London
• Population of London: 8.1 million
• LHR: 69.4 million passengers in 2011
• most visited city: 16.9million visitors
• Londoners earn 23% more than UK average, but spend 24% more than UK average
• 809,000 commute to Greater London for work
• 410,000 students attend 40 higher education institutes
• over 2 million do not speak English at home
• 1/3 born abroad
• 80% of London's business is international
• population is growing by 100,000/year, but only 20,000 new homes being built every year
• Opportunities

  1. Cultural mix - in 6 boroughs white people in minority
  2. recreation and entertainment
  3. employment opportunities - London is responsible for 46% of total UK Gross Value Added (GVA)
  4. Transport - 25% of London's journey by public transport - integrated transport system
  5. Urban greening - 38% green space - 24% domestic gardens
• Migration

  Pros:

  • character of land is diverse, no set culture or religion
  • food from all around the world
  • increased entertainment values


  Cons:

  • wealthy foreign investors push up housing prices
  • housing shortages
  • increased pressure on transport
• Pollution & Waste

  • high vehicle emissions - denser road network + tall buildings trap air
  • 4000 premature deaths per year by air pollution
  • 1/4 waste goes to landfill
• Stratford (regeneration)

  • closure of Royal Docks in 1960s meant thousands lost jobs
  • Stratford has highest percentage of unemployment - 7.38%
  • 1/4 homes classed as overcrowded
  • DLR improved transport links
  • Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• Impacts of Stratford Regeneration

  Positives:

  • athletes village is housing estate - 40% of new 2818 homes are affordable
  • second most connected part of London - Eurostar station
  • 50m swimming pool + facilities for community + schools
  • new academy for 2000 pupils
  • £9 billion investment into east London
  • 50,000 jobs created
  • River Lea river quality improved
  • soil cleaned from brownfield sites
  • 560 acres
  • new green spaces created

  Negatives:

  • rent + property prices gone up
  • young people lack skills and support
  • areas used as dumping grounds
  • wildlife had to be relocated