London's Towns - Shaping the Polycentric City

The conference series

Reflecting Mayor Johnson’s promise to give more attention to the outer borough’s, the London’s Towns conference series brings together the policy-makers, planners, developers, architects, sub-regional organisations and public, to inform, inspire and encourage debate about the role the capital’s towns and urban centres will play in the continued growth and prosperity of London as a world city. Three half-day conferences will explore the issues affecting the planning, development and future potential of the capital’s suburban ring. Download flyer Developing Communities: How the outer boroughs work Thursday 9 October Placemaking: Creating a destination Thursday 30 October Connecting Outer London Tuesday 4 November The exhibition The massive spread of London that took place in the 1930s absorbed towns like Kingston, Croydon, Harrow and Romford into the metropolis. Generally surrounded by suburban developments of detached and semi-detached homes with gardens, and celebrated in John Betjeman’s Metro-land, these areas of London seem to come off second best when compared to the Mayor’s policies on the central boroughs and Thames Gateway. This exhibition looks at the characteristics of the suburban ring of the capital and the part these areas play in the planning of London. New London Architecture