On Location – Square Mile: Future City

On Location

Thursday 09 December 2021
08:30 - 15:00

Presenting the City's vision for ensuring its position as the world’s most innovative, competitive, open and sustainable financial centre.

The pandemic has radically transformed ways of working and socialising, changing demands on urban centres. Prior to the epidemic, there were 7.4 million visits to City attractions annually, a 50 per cent increase over the last 10 years, and over 520,000 workers travelling to and from the City each day. After over 18 months of working from home, workers – and visitors – will eventually return to the Square Mile, even if the way that they use their offices may change. This confidence is underpinned by strong demand from developers and investors. In the first two months of 2021, the City granted consent to applications equivalent of almost 80 per cent of the total office floorspace approved for the whole of 2020.

Recently approved tower developments embrace health and wellbeing, while also offering flexible spaces to ensure they can adapt to new ways of working. And in the context of the climate emergency, a common approach to achieving net zero goals is also driving the recovery agenda. A sustainable Square Mile will add to its offer of a world class business ecosystem, outstanding environments and vibrant cultural offer.

As the economy starts to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic, this NLA On Location conference presents the City of London’s vision for ensuring its position as the world’s most innovative, competitive, open and sustainable financial centre by adapting to post-pandemic economic and social changes.