London infrastructure plan
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, commissioned the London Infrastructure Plan 2050 in 2013 to ensure that the city has the infrastructure it requires to remain one of the best places to live, work and do business.
Projections suggest that in 2016 the population of London will exceed 8.6 million, surpassing the city’s previous peak in 1939. By the year 2050 the population of the capital is forecast to rise by 37% to more than 11 million people.
The London Infrastructure Plan is the first attempt to strategically map London’s infrastructure in terms of:
- The infrastructure London will need.
- Where new infrastructure will be located.
- How it will be delivered.
- How future infrastructure will be funded.
The plan addresses infrastructure investment requirements up to the year 2050. In particular the it focuses on:
- Transport – increasing population will add pressure to the transport networks.
- Green infrastructure – by 2050, 10% more green cover will be required in central London and town centres.
- Energy – the current energy network is already close to capacity. Energy supply must be affordable, secure and sustainable.
- Water – demand for water will increase and the water supply will decrease as the climate changes.
- Resource management – around 40 new facilities are required for waste handling, reuse and recycling.
- Digital infrastructure – it is vital for the economy that everyone has high speed connectivity for both mobile and fixed devices. London’s target is to be the first capital in the world to deploy 5G.
- Housing – around 50,000 new homes need to be provided every year to meet the projected demand.
The plan aims to develop:
- A safe and accessible transport system. Less congestion and better connections across the whole network.
- Housing, schools and positive communities for all.
- Better internet services and connectivity from every corner of the city.
- More recycling to save money and the environment.
- Sustainable and affordable water and energy.
- More green spaces of a higher quality.
Over the next 35 years, more than £1 trillion of capital expenditure will be required.
In the foreword to the London Infrastructure Plan 2050, A consultation, The Mayor signified the importance of the plan by stating, “London’s needs are stark. In order for Londoners to get the homes, water, energy, schools, transport, digital connectivity and better quality of life they require and expect, our city must have continued investment. By its very nature, infrastructure underpins everything else. We all use it every day”.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Accessible London.
- Affordable housing.
- Cycling and walking plan.
- Draft London Housing Strategy (blog November 2013).
- Gearing up for active travel.
- GLA Housing Design SPG.
- Infrastructure.
- Infrastructure nationalisation.
- Infrastructure under Mayor Sadiq Khan.
- Investing in infrastructure for London.
- Laying the foundations: a housing strategy for England.
- London Power Tunnels.
- London View Management Framework.
- London plan.
- Masterplanning.
- Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF).
- Response to Mayor’s consultation document.
- Smart cities.
- Strategic industrial locations (SILs).
- Supplementary Planning Guidance SPG.
- Ultra Low Emission Zone.
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.