Federico Garcia Parra, Head of Global and EMEA Strategic Accounts at Otis, highlights insights from a panel at 22 Bishopsgate on London’s future built environment. Leaders from Otis, the City of London Corporation, Foster + Partners and JLL discussed evolving work patterns, housing needs, investor confidence and the role of public-private collaboration. The conversation underscored the importance of high-quality design, inclusive mobility and modernised infrastructure in keeping London globally competitive.


Otis recently hosted a high-profile panel discussion at 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London, bringing together experts to discuss the city’s planning vision for the next decade. The event, moderated by Federico Garcia Parra (Head of Global and EMEA Strategic Accounts), featured perspectives from Enrique Miñarro Viseras (President, Otis EMEA & Latin America), Tom Sleigh (City of London Corporation), Emily Phang (Foster + Partners), and Adam Challis (JLL), as well as closing remarks from Judy Marks, Chair, CEO, and President of Otis Worldwide Corporation. 

The panel shared views about how the London built environment will evolve over the next decade, the priorities, actions and collaboration needed to enhance mobility to shape the city's future positively and inclusively, as well as the challenges of attracting investors. 

Here are the key takeaways. 

Planning and design 

With the still-evolving changes in work patterns since the pandemic, repurposing office spaces and the urgent need for housing delivery are priorities. In response, public–private partnerships are empowering London councils to address income inequality and embrace mixed-economy models, increasing housing capacity. 

High-quality, inclusive design and adaptive reuse of office space are essential to meeting London’s housing needs, while also enhancing the city’s skyline and public spaces. 

“I want the most beautiful and future-ready buildings in the City – architecture that lifts our spirits as much as our skyline,” commented Tom Sleigh. “Development isn’t just about volume, but about design quality, the contribution a building makes to the public realm and its setting. New buildings must earn their place in the city fabric—not just fill a site.” 

Challenges of attracting investors 

Innovative models are needed to attract private investment for regeneration, delivering social impact alongside financial returns. London’s resilience and global competitiveness rely on constant reinvention and the creation of sustainable, mixed-use spaces. 

“London is a resilient, globally competitive city,” remarked Adam Challis; “however, it must reinvent itself to remain attractive to talent and capital.” He continued: “London’s ‘experience economy’ directly supports wider business activity, but the global battle for talent means that London must innovate to compete. Our constant reinvention and renewal of great spaces and places help to protect our reputation as a top-tier global city. London’s edge will increasingly come from its ability to deliver high-quality, mixed-use, sustainable places — not just financial assets — that align with new patterns of living and working.” 

Deep public–private partnerships and stakeholder engagement are essential to addressing complex challenges. Early, values-driven collaboration builds resilient and productive partnerships. 

“Complex projects demand more than just coordination,” said Enrique Miñarro Viseras. “They require shared values, mutual trust, and a commitment to listening and learning from one another. When we engage early, bring the right people to the table, we build productive collaborations that are resilient, transparent, aligned, and productive.”  

Accessibility: building a future-ready London 

Modernising infrastructure for inclusivity — particularly for ageing populations and those with mobility challenges — is a priority. Integrating smart, connected solutions will improve safety and accessibility citywide. 

Design was emphasised as a prerequisite for accessibility. High-quality design must integrate many dimensions: inclusion, context, user experience, and global best practice. “Good design is the foundation that enables accessibility,” remarked Emily Phang. “When design is thoughtful, inclusive, context-aware and built to the highest standards, the landscape becomes inherently more accessible. 

“Take Battersea Power Station – it’s a great example of the transformation of a historic industrial landmark into a vibrant, accessible, and attractive place to live and work.” 

Enrique Miñarro Viseras added: “As people live longer, the demand for mobility solutions that cater to an aging population grows. The UN projects global life expectancy to rise from 73 to 77 years by 2050. Infrastructure must be updated to accommodate the mobility needs of this growing demographic.” 

He added: “With around 8 million elevator units worldwide ready for modernisation, the call to action is clear: cities must prioritize upgrading legacy infrastructure, integrating smarter, connected systems that elevate both passenger experience and safety.” 

A taller, faster, smarter world 

Thanking the panellists and closing the discussion, Judy Marks commented: “Our vision is to give people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. It’s clear that shaping London’s future will require deep collaboration across public and private sectors. Modernising infrastructure for inclusivity and sustainability is not just a challenge – it’s an opportunity for all of us. Otis is committed to being a partner who listens and adapts to our customer’s evolving needs and we are proud to support projects that drive both economic growth and community well-being.” 

Visit otis.com to find out more about our global projects

Image: Federico Garcia Parra (Head of Global and EMEA Strategic Accounts), Tom Sleigh (City of London Corporation), Emily Phang (Foster + Partners), Judy Marks (Chair, CEO, and President of Otis Worldwide Corporation), Adam Challis (JLL), Enrique Miñarro Viseras (President, Otis EMEA & Latin America)