New high-rise towers spreading throughout central London are threatening the character of the city's most important historic sites, reports Martin Bailey.
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."
FULL STORY: Battle lines drawn to protect views of old London

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie