Experts debate if tall buildings are ruining the London skyline
LSBU's Alumni Association and the School of the Built Environment and Architecture hosted a lively debate on plans for tall buildings in the capitalThe panel featured industry-leading speakers offering their unique perspectives on the proposed 230 tall buildings over the next decade, and if this represents progress or a giant-sized mistake for Londoners.
Over 200 built environment alumni, students, staff and professionals packed the Events Theatre in the Keyworth Centre to hear from former City of London Chief Planning Officer Peter Rees CBE, World Architecture Festival Programme Director Paul Finch OBE, and Mary Jane Rooney, Director of Architecture at LSBU.
The evening began with the view from Architecture students Monika Jociute (PGDip Architecture) and Aaron McDonald (BA Architecture) who offered contrasting perspectives as future practitioners on London's high-rise vision.
The Chair of the debate, Dr Matthew Barac - Senior Lecturer, Architecture History and Theory at LSBU - handed the floor to each of the esteemed panel as LSBU alumnus Peter Rees argued in favour of tall buildings in acceptable locations such as the Square Mile. Mary Jane Rooney warned against the culture of repeating the same mistakes of the capital's last towers boom during the 1960s, while Paul Finch added fuel to the debate by defending the role of high-rise in consolidating London's position as a global and economic powerhouse.
Reaction from guests:
"A very
insightful evening, which pushed me to look at this topic from different angles."
Daniela Nofal, LSBU alumna, class of 2014
"I
am looking forward to attending more events on built environment issues."
Carlton Austrie, LSBU alumnus, class of
2001
"A fantastic
evening with a very high-calibre of experts."
Mike Goodier, LSBU alumnus, class of 2014
LSBU's School of The Built Environment and Architecture offers some of London's best courses in engineering for cities, surveying, construction, architecture and design.
Are you a graduate of LSBU currently working within the built environment? Then you may be interested in joining LSBU Built Environment Professionals Chapter, an active network designed to build industry links and share knowledge.