Life during lockdown
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9736 Londoners have responded | 27/03/2020 - 09/06/2020
Discussions
Your say on London’s recovery from COVID-19
Recovering from this pandemic won’t be easy. The health, economic and social consequences are far-reaching. It has also had a disproportionate impact on some communities, who now face acute challenges.
The London Recovery Board was set up at the start of June to coordinate the planning of London post COVID-19. It is co-chaired by the Mayor and the chair of London Councils, and its members are a diverse mix of leaders from all tiers of government, public institutions, businesses, charities and communities. Their agreed aims are to:
- Reverse the pattern of rising unemployment and lost economic growth
- Support our communities, including those most impacted by the virus
- Keep young people safe
- Narrow social, economic and health inequalities
- Deliver a cleaner, greener London
It is so important that Londoners can influence, shape and participate fully in the recovery from COVID-19. We’re facing uncertain times, but also have an opportunity to reimagine our city with a better future for all Londoners. One which is fairer, greener and more resilient than it was before.
What do think of the aims that the London Recovery Board has highlighted? What else do you think we should focus on to get London thriving again?
Tell us in the discussion below.
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Community Member 5 years agoIt looks as though many businesses will not come back to expensive office space. Let's get creative with empty offices use those spaces as social housing
also as community spaces to rent for community projects
Show full commentIt looks as though many businesses will not come back to expensive office space. Let's get creative with empty offices use those spaces as social housing
also as community spaces to rent for community projects
Show less of commentSusan Cartwright
Community Member 5 years agoExcellent idea but only if those offices can be properly converted into homes. Too often this had been done only to find that the walls are paper thin and not soundproofed. It can't be done on the cheap and needs architects and surveyors...
Show full commentExcellent idea but only if those offices can be properly converted into homes. Too often this had been done only to find that the walls are paper thin and not soundproofed. It can't be done on the cheap and needs architects and surveyors to create good quality homes out of buildings designed for other purposes.
Certainly some offices could be converted into community spaces and workshops.
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 5 years agoYes, convert those offices to social housing. But it must be done properly, to low energy use design with acoustic insulation, and enough space for children to play and do homework.
Show full commentYes, convert those offices to social housing. But it must be done properly, to low energy use design with acoustic insulation, and enough space for children to play and do homework.
Show less of commentAnonymous
Community Member 5 years agoI agree with the previous comment with regards to breathing fresher air during this time and wanting to maintain that somewhat.
I think public transport would be used far more if it was cheaper to travel, this would cut down on single...
Show full commentI agree with the previous comment with regards to breathing fresher air during this time and wanting to maintain that somewhat.
I think public transport would be used far more if it was cheaper to travel, this would cut down on single person driving.
I have walked to work more, even though I only drive under 1,000 miles per year anyway. I would use public transport more for social reasons and use it to visit London attractions if it was cheaper to travel there.
I do worry about cyclists on the road though! Many tend to cycle side by side so cars find it difficult to overtake them safely and they often swerve around on the road with not much room for both them and cars. Cycling should be promoted but they should have lanes only on roads where cycling is popular or likely to be used.
Local parks should be used more for sports and sports clubs, which include children from all backgrounds and social backgrounds so children can make friendships outside school and their typical friendship groups, which will promote diversity and acceptance. Groups should be free/ affordable.
Areas for voluntary groups helping all in society.
Show less of commentblackbird
Community Member 5 years agoWe need discussion to sort the dilemma of public transport. On the one hand, we are being told not to use it if possible. This will encourage more car use, which will go against moves to a greener city. Can we have more research on how to...
Show full commentWe need discussion to sort the dilemma of public transport. On the one hand, we are being told not to use it if possible. This will encourage more car use, which will go against moves to a greener city. Can we have more research on how to make public transport safe, which might include more investment and more frequent services, particularly of buses which can be electric.
Show less of commentThe Paris example includes the concept of the 15 minute city; that basic services can be a a 15 minute walk away for all residents by encouraging local economies. I think this would be good to consider her. SME local businesses offer local employment, and keep money in local circulation. We are also as a country, going to have to rethink our food policy, as the long supply chains have shown themselves to be vulnerable. Greening the city, and improving the diet of all could be helped by having a more direct supply chain between local growers and consumers. More handy fruit and veg shops, more support for markets all with links to nearby producers.
Susan Cartwright
Community Member 5 years agoExcellent idea!
Show full commentExcellent idea!
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 5 years agoDefinitely London should be keeping it local, to take the pressure of the centre of London. Create really exciting local areas, without taking the gentrification route. Keep it real, keep it genuinely affordable, and make sure every high...
Show full commentDefinitely London should be keeping it local, to take the pressure of the centre of London. Create really exciting local areas, without taking the gentrification route. Keep it real, keep it genuinely affordable, and make sure every high street is away from traffic, is attractive with lots of restaurants, lots of arts and science attractions, more local parks. Redesign those long boring lines of shops on main roads.
Show less of commentJulia lafene
Community Member 5 years agoDuring this period people have realised even more than before how important exercise in the fresh air, and good food are to keep ourselves healthy.
Organisations which have been helping people with these must continue to be encouraged. e...
Show full commentDuring this period people have realised even more than before how important exercise in the fresh air, and good food are to keep ourselves healthy.
Organisations which have been helping people with these must continue to be encouraged. e.g. those presenting online exercise could be encouraged to continue outside in the parks at times when working people can attend for half an hour or so. Those distributing healthy food and presenting cookery online could continue doing this in many community venues. A small voluntary charge could be made to cover costs.
Also the clean air we have been enjoying should NOT be re-polluted. People with respiratory conditions are more likely to die from enemy viruses. Strenuous efforts must be made to discourage polluting vehicles- maybe grants towards the purchase of electric cars? Green walls and bushes must be planted round all housing estates.
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 5 years agoAir pollution increases the chances of catching viruses. Noise and air pollution increases our chances of catching it, and negatively affect our immune systems. Air and noise pollution must not come back to London's West End, or other...
Show full commentAir pollution increases the chances of catching viruses. Noise and air pollution increases our chances of catching it, and negatively affect our immune systems. Air and noise pollution must not come back to London's West End, or other previously high-traffic areas.
Show less of commentMike Solomons
Community Member 5 years ago.
All very good except << Keep young people safe >> Why only young people? Are you saying that young people should be protected but older people are "fair game"? Are kids to be invited to "beat up a granny"?
Wouldn't "keep...
Show full comment.
All very good except << Keep young people safe >> Why only young people? Are you saying that young people should be protected but older people are "fair game"? Are kids to be invited to "beat up a granny"?
Wouldn't "keep Londoners safe" be a better aim?
.
Show less of commentlizzy4
Community Member 5 years agoI think we need to encourage young people to have ownership of the parks and open spaces in a effort to stop all this littering, barbecues, vandalism etc
More awareness of how dangerous litter is to wildlife, and yes there is a lot of wild...
Show full commentI think we need to encourage young people to have ownership of the parks and open spaces in a effort to stop all this littering, barbecues, vandalism etc
More awareness of how dangerous litter is to wildlife, and yes there is a lot of wild life in this city trying to live in these open spaces.
Let young people be involved as volunteers and also representation on management committed and maybe some shadowing of local politicians and council officers so that young people understand how local democracy works .
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 5 years agoThe problem so far is that young people think they own the streets and the parks.
Show full commentThe problem so far is that young people think they own the streets and the parks.
Show less of comment