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The city of
the future
will push
beyond it’s
existing
boundaries
The Wall: Outwards, skywards, onwards
In the 200 years after London was established by the
Romans it came under repeated attack. As a result, the city
– then a semi-circular area of 326 acres – was enclosed by
a 2.5 metre wide, 6 metre high stone wall. For 1,000 years
the wall was a success, providing a judicial boundary for
both Roman and later Anglo-Saxon London.
But things started to change. Some things happening
outside of the wall became interesting, and by the late
medieval era the City began moving beyond its confines.
First it moved westward, and later to the east, adding
Holborn, Bishopsgate and Aldgate.
It is from these beginnings the ‘Square Mile’ came to be
what it is today, providing employment for over 400,000
workers, accommodating more than 15,000 firms, and
contributing billions of pounds to the UK economy.
The City’s businesses have pushed outwards. Two
decades ago Canary Wharf was a wasteland in east
London’s docklands, now it sprouts skyscrapers that
provide premises for global banks with giant trading floors.
Mayfair provides boutique offices for the many hedge
funds that have spread westward.
The City’s developers and real estate investors have
pushed skywards. Incessant demand for more space has
led to a wave of developments; 21st-century skyscrapers
include the “Walkie-talkie”, the “Gherkin” and the “Cheese-
grater”. There are plans to develop One Undershaft, a
310-metre high tower only slightly shorter than the Shard,
along with the 278-metre high 22 Bishopsgate.
Although it is not likely to be built any time soon, SURE
Architecture recently designed a conceptual tower that
could theoretically house an entire neighbourhood. Having
its own ecosystem, it is of a spiralling form that could be
extended infinitely upwards to accommodate residential
communities, businesses, schools, public spaces and
shopping areas.
With a projected workforce rise of 50,000 by 2030,
and GVA growth of 50% in the same period, the City of
the future will inevitably continue to push beyond its
existing boundaries.
Financial market
deregulation
Canary Wharf
Spiraling towers and
fume-less vehicles?
Twenty-first century
skyscrapers
1980s
1990s
2030+
2010s
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD
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PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE