PM in London: Residential

Housing has always been an issue in London – and always will be. Some of the most expensive high quality, domestic accommodation in the world can be found in parts of Central London; but this is a relatively small percentage of the total units of accommodation. These days many people want to live in Central London or as close as possible for London commuting, convenience and quality of life and facilities. This has not always been the case. Between the first and second world wars there has an exodus from the centre and more people attracted to outer London with the provision of railway and tube lines to new suburbs and new towns including to Metroland. After the Second World War very few people really wanted to live in inner London with its post-war dereliction, poor quality accommodation and pollution – and continued the outwards migration. This was only seventy years ago. Nowadays there is a great variety of types of accommodation for living – but at such insufficient numbers that prices of buying and renting are high. There are particular shortages of affordable housing for current residents and for key workers.

Much of the housing originates from established estates such as the Eyre Estate, the Portman Estate, the Portland Estate, the Grosvenor Estate, the Bedford Estate and others. There is still valuable church land in London. There are housing schemes by Peabody and Guinness Trusts. There are housing estates and council housing including tower blocks built and owned by London Boroughs or sold on to tenants. There are garden suburbs, model cottages, alms houses, communal living, slums and squats.

For project managers involved in housing and residential provisions at all levels there are examples, advice, expertise, conferences and exhibitions in London.