The Mayor’s vision

From the Mayor’s foreword:

‘I want London to be the best big city on earth.’

‘To understand what needs to be done, try Googling our city with one of those satellite maps. Zoom in and out of London from on high.

You will see how the world beneath you is divided into two categories. There is private space – that is, homes and gardens occupied by individuals and their families.

But more than half of the London landscape – by area – is shared space: roads, parks, canals, rivers, squares, shops, piazzas, malls, stations, monuments and museums. This shared space is a vast and complex environment in which millions of perfect strangers must move, meet and negotiate.

What is it like in that shared space? Are people stressed, tense, crowded, unhealthy, unhappy, snappy or even downright hostile?

Or are they relaxed and good-humoured, surrounded by things of beauty both natural and man-made?

The genius of a big city lies in the way it organises that shared space, for the benefit of visitors and inhabitants alike.

We want to make that shared space ever safer, so that it is always pleasant to visit a park, and so that public transport is never threatening.

We need to bridge the gap between rich and poor, to fight illiteracy and youthful poverty of ambition – not just because they are evil in themselves, but because they lead to the criminal disorder that affects everyone.

To make that shared space safer, we need to make it more beautiful. That is why we are seeking a world reputation for new and improved public spaces that Londoners will cherish for decades to come.

We will tackle stress and overcrowding by building houses that once again have decent-sized rooms, and we will insist on architecture that once again delights the eye.

London is now poised to lead the world in new green technology – from electric cars to home insulation to a new low-carbon bus to a bike hire scheme – that will help reduce CO2, sweeten the air, generate jobs and save consumers money at the same time.

Wherever we can we want to plant more trees, protect green space and push ahead with the expansion of an efficient and world-beating public transport system. These plans set out the fundamental economic and environmental importance of these transport investments for the whole of the Greater London area.

We want to let Londoners make the most of their innate talent and flair so that they make London’s economy even more productive and successful and we want all Londoners to have the opportunity to find fulfilling jobs. That also means ensuring the conditions are right for the businesses that employ them to flourish.

This is a vast and disparate city, the product of centuries of immigration and technological change. But with energy and enthusiasm we intend to bring our communities together – celebrating our different traditions while sharing the humour and friendliness that unite us as Londoners.’

Boris Johnson
October 2009