Welcome to London!
When it comes to projects and project management the United Kingdom is a benchmark nation; London has a unique density and variety of examples and circumstances of projects and of project management to see, visit and experience. Many projects and programmes in the UK and around the world have team members and management in London. So for everyone in, or thinking about being in, projects and project management you are ‘Welcome to London’ and the Great Metropolis and this omnibus of information, advice and characteristics.
The Capital City
Like many capital cities London is “different” – compared to the rest of its nation. London is busier, more vibrant, crowded, prosperous and diverse; the seat of Government, the home of the Monarchy, the financial engine, the centre of media, design and fashion and the base for many international and national organisations. So a capital city such as London is often not wholly representative of the whole nation – and this also applies to the projects and project management.
But certainly other regions and cities in the UK have their own fine histories, achievements and attributes when it comes to projects and project management. These too are worthy of appreciation and celebration by local PM specialists, communities and inhabitants, and deserving of promotion to potential visitors, tourists, workers and students.
Some tips for promoting aspects of PM in other locations are included within this site under ‘PM by Community and Location’ which can be found here.
Filling in the gaps
The development of London has been described as “two cities with many villages”. Each of the cities has had a different purpose and its own cathedral. There is the City of London within the Roman wall, ‘London Bridge’ and a trading port all to the east, and Westminster for religion and government all to the west at another river crossing.
The villages, farms and hunting grounds with open countryside nearby and between were places such as Chelsea, Kensington, Lambeth, Highgate, Mayfair, Belgravia, Greenwich and many more now incorporated into the metropolitan area. There are over 770 places to live, work and play in London as set out on page 38 in “The Information Capital” by Cheshire and Uberti.
However most have retained individual characteristics and committed inhabitants – sometimes enhanced by football loyalties. It is useful to understand the geographical layout; how the Strand and then the Embankments linked the two cities; how the roads and surface railways radiate without really penetrating the old city; how districts have changed in functions, fortunes, ownerships and prosperity. It’s an exciting place to explore.