Image taken on 2008-12-03 13:46:05 by SallyB2.
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With talk of China’s high rates of pollution dominating headlines in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it is important to remember that sport and the environment can go hand in hand. In the last year, the Chinese capital has been the subject of much media scrutiny surrounding its environmental and emissions policy. In 2005, the European Space Agency declared that Beijing contained unnecessarily high levels of nitrogen dioxide, a bi-product of many industrial processes, including thermal power plants. It is poisonous to inhale, and since the revelation, the Chinese government have been accused of endangering sportsmen and spectators with the volume of air pollution that affects the capital. For the environmentally conscious, it represents a serious concern. Historically, the designation of Olympic host has a symbolic resonance; it has been held by great cities, welcome to community spirit and accepted as representatives of an age old sporting tradition. That is not to deny that Beijing is a great city, but – for environmentalists – it has been difficult to reconcile the tradition and history of the city with a poor environmental and emissions policy. Many spectators, then, will be watching closely. And they will also be looking to London in 2012, which will be subject to the same media scrutiny. The Olympic Delivery Authority – the body who are in charge of developing the infrastructure for the London games – have so far acted carefully. David Higgins, the Chief Executive of the ODA, has officially stated that “Ensuring a sustainable approach to building the Games will help ensure London 2012 is remembered not only as two weeks of fantastic sporting action, but also as the greenest games to date”, championing the connection between the tradition of the event and the importance of a suitable environmental policy. It is a positive statement, and one that is backed by the ‘Towards a One Planet Olympics’ initiative, which is the lynch-pin of the London games’ environmental policy, and was developed from the WWF/Bioregional’s ‘One Planet Living’, which lists ten main environmental initiatives that can be implemented throughout the world. These can be grouped into three key areas: carbon emission, sustainability, and culture and natural habitats. The Committee for London 2012 has drawn these into five points: combating climate change, reducing waste, enhancing biodiversity, promoting inclusion, and improving healthy living. These tie in neatly with the original initiative, which targets – as some examples – ‘zero carbon’ and ‘zero waste’, sustainable transport and materials, and ‘health and happiness’. In theory, then, the commitment is clear, and the aim is an all encompassing one; to be the first fully sustainable Olympic games. And – as the Beijing Olympics prepares to open – the London bid is already working towards that aim. The ODA announced in January of this year that it is already beating its target of recovering 90% of all demolition waste for recycling and reuse. It has also begun to create new habitats for any wildlife that might be found on Olympic sites, and is recycling complete buildings to be re-assembled away from original Olympic sites. Certainly, 2012 is a long way away. Beijing comes first, and its environmental policy since the original bid has improved. When the London games come, it will have China as a blueprint, plus another four years of work towards sustainability. If it succeeds in its aim, it might be one of the world’s first large demonstrations of a link between tradition and a new ‘green-consciousness’. Something to look forward to. Chris Wright is the Olympics expert at www.EcoSwitch.com The environmental social network EcoSwitch
When it was announced that London had successfully won its bid to host the 2012 Olympics, the nation rejoiced. After all, along with the World Cup, no other sporting event brings as much pride, prestige and investment to a country.
But even before the capital was proclaimed winner, there were anti-Olympic organisations springing up on the web. No2London2012.org, HackTheBid.org and CriticalMassLondon.org.uk all tried in vain to stop London from being successful in their Olympic bid. Their reasons were varied; they claimed that construction work associated with Olympic sites in the Lea Valley would destroy, or make unavailable for several years, a large number of existing quality football pitches which local people use intensively, and that there was no guarantee that the new or “improved” sports facilities developed for the Olympics would be later available to local people for free or at a reasonable cost.
They also pointed out that the games will result in a cost to London council tax payers of £875 million; money which Londoners need for more pressing priorities like schools, transport, housing, health and other public services. Green arguments were also put forth; they claimed that the Olympic sites would destroy several valued wildlife areas such as Bow Back Rivers and Bulley Point, which the public have supported by conservation work over many years.
Campaigners were also unimpressed by the predicted 7000 new jobs that the government said would be created by the games. Anti-Olympians say these are unlikely to be filled by existing Londoners, (amongst whom construction skills are in scarce supply), resulting in a need for housing for incoming workers, which needs to be addressed before non-housing construction projects are started. Moreover, several thousand jobs will be displaced from the southern Lea Valley, currently an important home for much-needed “bad-neighbour” businesses which cannot easily find alternative sites. And finally, anti-Olympic campaigners said that the Olympic bid had been imposed from above without adequate public consultation about its cost, environmental and other impacts for the city as whole.
However, despite all this, the London bid was successful, and the games must go on. The 2012 logo didn’t impress everyone, but though many of the protesters’ complaints may have been valid, few can deny that hosting the Olympic Games will bring many advantages to London and the rest of the UK. The cash injection should certainly improve what are deemed socially and economically deprived areas; and with thousands of spectators converging on the capital, shops, restaurants and hotels in London, will enjoy a massive boost in business.
Like it or not, the Olympics are coming to London, so you might as well take advantage of the world’s biggest sporting event in your back yard – after all, it’s been over half a century since it’s come to British soil, and it could be another 50 years until it comes back.
Despite growing in size, modern East London retains a sense of community. Close to the Thames River corridor, between the bustling metropolis and a quieter world of neighbouring towns and the Essex countryside, a cosmopolitan welcome waits for you. Images and stereotypes of the East End are usually strong. A nostalgic impression is one of the cheeky chirpy, street wise cockney speaking in rhyming slang having pint of lager in the local boozer.
But East London is changing. The ‘cafe society’ is moving in, creating an East End that appeals as a place to eat; drink; visit an Art Gallery or Museum; buy a new or converted modern apartment to make your home. Restoration of some houses in Hackney makes them look like they woldnt look amiss on the posher parts of London City.
Although the bombings of the Second World War changed the city in gigantic propotions, there are still streets to be found in the East End that have hardly changed in the last 300 years. The East London Boroughs are full of busy roads lined with small shops and friendly pubs affording opportunities to meet the locals. Fashion bargains wait for you in all the High Streets and in the markets, along with large supermarket chains and department stores competing for your business. Large shopping complexes are close by in the Broadway at Ilford; the Vicarage Field at Barking and the Liberty at Romford.
Between the patchwork of East London streets and houses, there’s many large green open spaces to discover gardens, tennis courts, bowling greens, maybe a boating lake or even wildlife. Victoria Park in Hackney is exceptional. The River Thames in East London offers a spectacular view of the Millennium Dome. Standing directly over the Blackwall Tunnel, this project has reclaimed a previously contaminated piece of industrial wasteland.
It is possible to visit the East End from basically any London hotel, given the efficient public transport in the city. Hotels in London that are located on the East End are usually budget hotels with only a smattering of luxury hotels to be found.
London is a major tourist destination for many visitors to the UK and offers some popular well known tourist attractions such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, The London Dungeon and many more. However many visitors miss out on the best bits of the city so please read on for some hidden London gems that are a must for any visitor. If you are in the area of Hammersmith, head along to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes. Almost 100 acres of reclaimed reservoir offers one of the best wildlife and wetlands centres in the country. For anyone interested in nature and wildfowl this makes a great visit and I highly recommend taking a pair of strong binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. Given the open nature of this attraction you will also want to visit on a fine day. Why not then head to Baker Street and ride a tour bus highlighting some of the not so well known features of the central London area? There is no better way to see the sights of London. Jump aboard a hop-on, hop-off bus and be guided through London past and present by an experienced guide. Buses depart every half an hour or so so its a great destination to pop along to if you do not have a specific schedule. Portobello Road market is a famous antiques and marketplace about 10 minutes from Ladbroke Grove Tube station. Portobello Road has been a market since the 19th century – but is well known for its antiques in the 1950s. Today there are many different stalls offering everything from fruit and drinks to antiques, posters, clothes, ceramics and more. For those that are interested in Wine and wine making – head to the “Vinopolis”. This is an amazing two and a half acre space devoted to the world of wine, wine tasting and its associated pleasures. The best way to access is via London Bridge. You can probably spend two hours or so browsing the exhibits and listening to the audio commentaries. You do need to love your wines to find this a place of interest. Finally head to the British Museum. Get off the tube at Tottenham court road or Holborn. The museum is visited by nearly 5 million people a year and houses around 7 million objects, the British Museum is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and is visited by people worldwide. Often overlooked this museum is not to be missed and of course visiting is completely free. I would also recommend spending a full day exploring the museum. There are hundreds more less well known places and attractions to visit in London and I highly recommend starting with a days pass for the London Underground and heading towards Westminster as a starting point. Don’t forget to take a tube map. Be sure to roughly plan your visit, and check the National Rail timetables if you need to catch a connecting train out of the city. Chris David operates www.seethesights.co.uk a sightseeing and tourism resource for UK visitors.
The City of London has a variety of attractions and is the perfect destination to hire a car and tour the city streets in the comfort of your own transport. Car hire companies are plentiful and offer touring of England’s capital at an affordable price. With many museums and historical attractions as well as wide open spaces the city of London is a widely visited tourist destination.
London comprises one of the most popular property markets in Europe, let alone in the UK – and it’s not hard to see why. Central London offers all the excitement of a big city, while the suburbs allow for a bit more peace and quiet whilst remaining close to the cosmopolitan offerings of the inner city. Furthermore, London offers some exceptional employment opportunities and higher salaries than any other part of the UK.
Property in central London is ideal for anyone seeking lively surroundings – with so many restaurants, bars, clubs, theatres and museums, it’s impossible to get bored! Moreover, living in the city doesn’t mean you’ll be far from nature and wildlife: there are eight royal parks in London where residents can enjoy the green, open space and peaceful surroundings.
London’s suburban properties are more suitable for those who want to be near the offerings of a large urban area, but would prefer to live somewhere a bit quieter. It’s particularly common for families to acquire property in the suburbs of London, and those with children will find a wide selection of schools in and around the city, ranging from children’s playgroups to sixth form colleges and universities.
Whether you’re looking for property in an area which displays London’s unique and thrilling mix of cultures, or are simply searching for a place that’s fashionable yet serene, you’re sure to find something to suit you in London. If you decide to live in the city’s suburbs yet work in central London you’ll have no problem commuting, since London is home to one of the most extensive public transport networks in the world. The London Underground, for example, serves the central part of the city and most suburbs to the north of the Thames river, while an extensive rail network serves suburbs to the south of the river. The London bus network also caters to local travellers, with a transport system running through the night.
Like many large cities, property prices in London represent a competitive seller’s market. For this reason, it’s important to research the market before you delve into it. If you’re searching for property in London, rest assured that you’ll find a number of outstanding resources to help you along the way. So, whether you’re looking for a house or flat in the city, or a farm estate in the outskirts, a qualified estate agent can help you to locate the right property. |
London
September 9, 2010, 3:27 am
 Clear 15°Cwind speed: 2 m/s SW
sunrise: 6:26
sunset: 19:29
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