But why this rather sorry state of affairs in London and elsewhere? Who failed at what time? How has this been allowed to go on for so long? What can the next generation do differently? Not least by learning from our adjacent northern European and North Sea neighbours – the Scandinavians, the Dutch and the Germans. And is London performing better or worse than elsewhere in Britain?
London's two hundred high streets
The town centre high street of the future in London and Britain should be about denser living, catering for nearby mixed use and residential neighbourhoods of denser and smaller households – for the young, adults and the elderly. High streets that should first and foremost cater for households that go about their daily life, chores, routines and activities by foot, bike or e-bike – without the need of a car for typical daily local journeys.
Similarly, town centre high streets of the future should differ from suburban edge of town high streets. Reflecting the different needs and characteristics of smaller urban town centre households versus large suburban edge of town households – and how the two differ in going about their daily lives and their daily travel.
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| View from our bedroom halfway between Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, close to Southwark park, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Canada Water and Surrey Quay stations, and the Norwegian and Finish churches. Across from Whapping, Limehouse and Shadwell basins, where we swim in the latter during the late summer. |
