London

Recent new dynamic urban and architectural changes in London led to the need for a new edition of the guide only three years after its initial publication. It is interesting to note that the new projects added to those in the previous issue are located in five of the six itineraries proposed. This is proof of the homogeneous evolution throughout the city: no area of the metropolis remains frozen in time. On the contrary, most of the city is in a state of constant transformation: restoration of 19th century buildings and redevelopment of urban areas with the addition of new public spaces for the local population and visitors. In 1999, the Urban Task Force, led by Richard Rogers, began to introduce principles for reorganising public spaces in enclosed form and building densification as well as suburban functional mixing. Without a doubt, these policies have produced very successful urban planning results and continue to be very effective today. I wish to focus attention on the types of projects that have been added to the previous edition. As well as new construction or restoration, more than half of the 11 projects have involved the redevelopment of the surrounding public space. Bloomberg’s new London Headquarters presents a new covered public space, as does St James Market and the Coal Drops Yard, where the curving roofs of the two structures unite to form a covered plaza. Angel Court and London Wall Place have included careful design of the surrounding public space, while the Gasholders London apartments were built together with Gasholder Park, a gasometer transformed to create an urban park. As well as the restoration of historic buildings based on modern composition and design, structurally innovative, and with strong visual impact, urban planning in London maintains a careful focus on development ac- cording to principles of high quality construction and sustainability, for good livability standards. In fact, London is the capital of Cycle Superhighways, cycling routes that run from the suburbs to the city centre: an excellent system able to encourage a more appropriate lifestyle and to provide a “slow” opportunity for analysing new urban trends within the city. Once more, the capital of the United Kingdom confirms its role as a fascinating city for con- temporary architecture lovers. Thanks to rapid transit by various means of efficient public transport, unconventional but extremely attractive public spaces, and buildings with great architectural impact, visitors to London will feel immersed in an atmosphere of contemporary design, more than in any other place.