Re/Shaping London: Sustainable Growth in West London and Beyond

Article
Share this post

On the 20th October, the London Society launches its new White Paper, Re/Shaping London written by Jonathan Manns and Dr Nicholas Falk. 

Join us for the launch (published in connection with the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for London’s Planning and Built Environment). As well as the presentation by the Paper’s authors, there will be discussion from Colin Wilson (Senior Manager, GLA), Max Farrell (Farrells & West London Business’ Commission for the Built Environment) and Rupa Huq (MP for Ealing Central and Acton). You can register here for tickets.

London needs to ‘shape up’ if it is to retain a dominant position as both a World City and one that is truly sustainable. Ensuring that London delivers the quality of development required to remain at the world’s top-table is the joint responsibility of the Mayor and the Boroughs. There is a clear aspiration to deliver both new homes and jobs, but fresh decisions need to be made in the face of unpredictable pressures such as Brexit and climate change. More than ever, London needs to position itself as a city of aspiration and tolerance, ambition and fairness. The White Paper considers ways in which London can be shaped and re-shaped in response to these challenges. In doing so, it proposes some basic principles to inform future development considerations; not only in the planning of new places, but the densification and regeneration of those which already exist. It looks at how this ‘re/shaping’ might be achieved and then demonstrates how some of the ideas could be applied in West London; significantly increasing the area’s anticipated development potential. It all starts from the simple premise that we must plan, we must enable and we must build. 

Printed copies of the White Paper will be available after 20 October, and we will also be putting the document online.

Join the London Society

Join today and get priority booking and discounted rates for our walks, talks, tours, debates and social events.

More articles

The difference between solving a problem and moving it: what makes London feel safe?
24 Aug 2026
The Stairs of Least Resistance: The Invisible Architecture of the Museum Visit
21 Aug 2026
London’s Burning: Pour on Water?
20 Aug 2026
The Return of Pedal Power to Supply London’s Economy
12 Aug 2026

Join the London Society

Join today and get priority booking and discounted rates for our walks, talks, tours, debates and social events.

Stay in the loop

Get updates and stay connected - subscribe to our newsletter