London has topped the ‘Global Power City Index’ for the last 8 years and has been one of the world’s great megacities for far longer. However, despite its enduring magnetism London was only 41st in the 2019 Mercer ‘Quality of Living City Ranking’, beset by perennial problems of traffic, air pollution, and safety.
With freedom of movement with Europe gone, and reports of the middle-classes fleeing the city to cleaner, greener, virus-free isolation in the countryside, is London about to slip off its top spot? Does the city need to work harder to be a better place to live for its residents if it is to retain its pre-eminence?
More immediately the events of the last year have highlighted the role that our homes and neighbourhoods have on our wellbeing. The impacts of existing inequalities around housing have been amplified during this period, with consequences on the mental and physical health of London’s residents.
This panel discussion, hosted by Archio, will explore themes around wellbeing and ask whether we are about to see a major change in attitudes towards high-density living, which has been seen as the answer to London’s future growth for some time. Will the impacts of the pandemic mean a renewed focus on investment in wellbeing, or has the shine come off living in cities altogether?
Speakers:
Jacob Willson (Be First, Barking and Dagenham);
Félicie Krikler (Assael Architecture);
Natasha Reid (Matter. Space. Soul);
Daniel Slade (Town and Country Planning Association).
Chair: Kyle Buchanan, Director at Archio
Image Caption: Residents at the ‘Plaza de America’, a multigenerational scheme for old and young residents that provides mutual benefits for each, Alicante Spain. Image Credit: Rafa Arjonnes.
In the build up to this event, please feel free to share via social media: 
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