The Structure of London

As with most Western cities, London follows a similar city structure to the Burgess Model.

Central Business District

In the centre of London, we find the CBD, which is the central business district. These high-rise buildings, clustered together, are home to London’s banks and financial services, located in the oldest part of the city. The value of the land is also very high, and the best way to maximise the value of the land is to build upwards, hence why London has many tall skyscrapers and office blocks.

Due to the expansion of the knowledge economy in London, the CBD has grown. Canary Wharf, located 1 mile east of the city, has created a second CBD, while London’s West End, and shopping hotspots of Oxford Street, have created a third CBD.

London’s Inner Suburbs

Once a densely packed industrial district with poor quality terraced housing, London’s inner suburbs have changed dramatically since the Industrial Revolution. Within 1km of the city’s West End, you come across Kensington, one of the world’s most expensive suburbs, whereas 1km to the east of the city, you come across old factory buildings that are being replaced with new flats for rent. This contrasting wealth within such a short distance can lead to inequalities and limit the opportunities of those living in the capital.

London’s urban-rural fringe

As the city starts to meet the countryside, there is a noticeable difference. Houses are larger and most have their own garden. Residential areas make up the majority of land use, with some industry also present. There are large green spaces nearby, such as Epping Forest in Loughton in the north-east of London’s rural-urban fringe.