After two decades of evolution and transformation, London had become one of the most open and cosmopolitan cities in the world. The success of the 2012 Olympics set a high water-mark in the visible success of the city, while its influence and soft power increased in the global systems of trade, capital, culture, knowledge, and communications.The Making of a World City: London 1991 - 2021 sets out in clear detail both the catalysts that have enabled London to succeed and also the qualities and underlying values that are at play: London's openness and self-confidence, its inventiveness, influence, and its entrepreneurial zeal. London's organic, unplanned, incremental character, without a ruling design code or guiding master plan, proves to be more flexible than any planned city can be.Cities are high on national and regional agendas as we all try to understand the impact of global urbanisation and the re-urbanisation of the developed world. If we can explain London's successes and her remaining challenges, we can unlock a better understanding of how cities succeed.

About the Author ixForeword by Martin Simmons xiPreface by Rosemary Feenan and Robert Gordon Clark xiiiAcknowledgements xvSection I London in 1991 - Setting the scene1 Introduction: Honor Chapman and London:World City 32 London prior to 1991: The back story 11Planning for a new world city 12The rise of finance and a new rationale for post-industrialLondon 13A hiatus of government 16The LDDC and a new era of pragmatism 163 The 1991 London:World City report and its message aboutLondon 19Old rivals, new rivals 22An agenda for metropolitan governance 24Brand new: The promotion of London 26The future knowledge economy 29Section II The evolution of London, 1991 to 20154 The internationalisation of London's economy35Internationalisation of London's labour force 39The global financial crisis and after 435 Leadership, governance and policy 471997 and a new direction for metropolitan government 52The London Plan: A global city strategy 56London boroughs 59Promoting London 60London's governance today 666 Re-investment and urban regeneration 69Cultural revitalisation of the South Bank: Lambeth, Southwarkand Greenwich 72New regeneration powers from 2000 74Regeneration in perspective 77From de-industrial to post-industrial: Building a new experiencefor markets, leisure and commerce 807 Corporate hub, officemarket and real estate 87The rise and rise of tall buildings 88The diffusion of London's office geography 89The transformative impact of foreign capital 938 Homes and housing in London 99Consensus but complacency in the 1990s 100The London Plan and a new agenda for housing 101London's housing predicament: Prospects and solutions1079 London's evolving infrastructure platform 111The impact of TfL and citywide government on transport 113From incrementalism to integration? 117Section III London today and in the future10 World cities today 121Measuring world cities in 2015 125Emerging world cities 128Insights from benchmarks about short- and long-term city success13211 London in the next decade: Implications of the rise ofother world cities 135Finance and business: Global leadership in a new context 138Culture, diversity and destination 143Higher education, technology and new sectors 145Sustainability and liveability: Aspiration or reality? 149Infrastructure, housing and skills 15112 Investment in London: Challenges and solutions 159London's relationship with the UK 160London's constrained investment scene 162The financial and investment capacity of London's fiveprincipal rivals 166London's fiscal position in perspective 16913 Eight imperatives for London 17514 Lessons from London for other cities 187Appendix 195Bibliography 197Index 219