Could London Lose its UNESCO Status?

New high-rise towers spreading throughout central London are threatening the character of the city's most important historic sites, reports Martin Bailey.

2 minute read

January 16, 2013, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


UNESCO, the United Nations organization responsible for identifying and protecting the world's most important cultural and natural heritage sites, is criticizing the British government for allowing skyscrapers such as the 95-story "Shard" to be built so close to the world heritage listed Tower of London. The criticism is pitting preservationists against planners and developers in the English capital.

"Earlier this month, the former heritage minister John Penrose, who stepped down last September, admitted that the Shard 'nearly didn’t happen' because of its impact on the Tower. He is calling on English Heritage, with guidance from Unesco, to formulate a policy that would lead to 'selecting the best views of our city and townscapes' to be protected in a similar way that buildings can be listed for preservation."

"The present situation, Penrose says, lacks clarity, which makes it difficult for developers and offers insufficient protection for the most important views."

"The Greater London Authority, however, is reluctant to bow to Unesco pressure. Edward Lister, London’s deputy mayor responsible for planning, said that he would 'fight' for growth, which means new buildings. 'We understand [Unesco’s] concerns, but have to balance them with the demands for an expanding city,' he said."

"Despite the recession, the capital is currently witnessing a boom in the construction of tall office blocks. If this continues in the vicinity of the Tower and around the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey (London’s other World Heritage Site) there is a concern that Unesco would consider adding them to the “Heritage in Danger” list. In 2009, Dresden lost its status as a World Heritage Site when a new bridge over the Danube was erected at a sensitive spot near the city’s historic centre."

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in The Art Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

People riding bike son paved greenway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis Advances Plans to Expand and Connect Citywide Greenway Network

Indianapolis is developing a new Greenways Strategic Implementation Plan to expand, connect, and modernize its trail system, aiming for over 250 miles of greenways that support sustainability, mobility, and community well-being.

45 minutes ago - Indianapolis Recorder

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

May 18 - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

May 18 - WATE