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London
is Europe’s largest city; it is one of the world’s three financial
centres, while also being the most culturally diverse city in the
world. Following a period of unprecedented economic growth and
prosperity, London’s architecture has never been more exciting, nor as
varied as now. World-renowned British and international architects, new
architectural talent and young practices have all contributed to London
being a laboratory for urban planning and architecture.
The technologically advanced tall buildings of Canary Wharf in
Docklands, the residential towers along the River and the high rise
projects in the City are all new and exciting features on London’s
historic skyline.The regeneration and transformation of run-down inner
London neighbourhoods has been led by investment in distinctive and
radical public buildings, often widely acclaimed, well-mannered social
housing schemes and the imaginative re-use and repair of historic
buildings. One-off private houses, and the new and experimental
architecture of mixed use buildings on the City Fringe, have all added
much in terms of innovative design and sustainable development
techniques.
The Olympic venues, under construction in East London for the 2012
Games, are already being lauded for their architectural, engineering
and construction achievements. London has very successfully embraced
radical and new architecture, despite a town planning system that can
be highly political and not always supportive of change.
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