(Example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in London ”s St Pancras Station)
The population density varies considerably in London. The center brings together many jobs while the periphery of the city includes residential areas more or less densely populated areas, the density being higher in the suburbs (Inner London) than in more distant suburbs (Outer London). Densely populated areas consist mainly of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, concentrated in two business districts, such as 30 St Mary Axe, Tower 42 and the Lloyd building in the City of London, One Canada Square, 8 Canada Square and 25 Canada Square Canary Wharf.
Recently, the construction of very tall buildings has been encouraged by the London plan, and many tall buildings are expected to emerge, particularly in the City of London and Canary Wharf. The Shard London Bridge, 310 m for 72 floors, near London Bridge station, the Bishopsgate Tower tower 288 m, and 30 other projects of skyscrapers over 150 m in height proposed or under construction, such as Boomerang Tower 170 m, could transform the appearance of the city.
(Skyscrapers of the City (left foreground) and Canary Wharf (background right))
Other notable buildings include London City Hall in Southwark, the Natural History Museum in London, the British Library in Somers Town, the large courtyard of the British Museum, and the Millennium Dome near the Thames to Canary Wharf. The Battersea Power Station, now disused but undergoing rehabilitation, is a prominent symbol, while some stations such as St. Pancras and Paddington, are good examples of Victorian architecture.
There is not a unique architectural style to describe London. Different styles and influences have accumulated and mixed over the years. Many buildings are brick red-orange or dark brown as in Downing Street, decorated with carvings and moldings. Many neighborhoods are characterized by stucco buildings or whitewashed. Few structures predate the Great Fire of 1666 with the exception of some Roman remains, the Tower of London and a few remains of the Tudor era. Most buildings date from the Edwardian or Victorian.
There are many monuments celebrating personalities or events in the city. The Monument in the City of London commemorates the Great Fire of 1666, providing a broad perspective on the historical heart of the city, where the fire started. Marble Arch and Wellington Arch, located respectively at the north and south of Park Lane end, are related to the British monarchy as the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall in Kensington. Nelson”s Column is a national monument in Trafalgar Square, and is typically used to mark the center of London.
Translated and adapted from Wikipedia
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