The London skyline has evolved rapidly over the past 20 years, notably with The Shard, The Leadenhall Tower (‘the Cheese-grater’), St Marys Axe (the Gherkin) and 20 Fenchurch Street (the ‘Walkie Talkie Scorchie’) dominating the capital’s skyline. Sir Simon Jenkins has written about the capital becoming a ‘Gulf on Thames’. Current planning applications involve a wall of high rise developments from the Shard, along the South Bank of the Thames and westward towards Battersea. These towers have a significant impact on local communities, historic views and public open space.

What can we do as a profession to mitigate the negative effects of such pressures? The speakers would like to discuss these issues with the London Branch and cover:

• the history of skyline policy in London
• how landscape architects can contribute to skyline policy, and
• what should they say and how can they get involved?

Tom Turner (University of Greenwich) and Robert Holden (Member of Council, Landscape Institute) will discuss the pressures of high rise developments within the capital, its implications on the surrounding context, and an overview of a proposed landscape draft policy paper in ways to address these pressures.

When: Wednesday, 23 October 2013, from 18:30 to 21:00

Where: The Gallery, 75 Cowcross St, London, EC1M 6EJ

Booking: This event is FREE to attend, however please RSVP via EventBright to guarantee a place.

londonsskyline.eventbrite.co.uk/

Refreshments will be provided.