This transformation – its renaissance – has come about through a variety of measures, some the result of a series of global forces. Much, however, has happened through deliberate interventions, strategic decisions and action, a story in part that started at the end of the 1990s – London 1.0. It was around then that the private sector became increasingly active, seeing a real need and the potential to play a leading role in London’s positive evolution by joining forces in partnership with the public sector, and an incoming mayor, to shepherd a refreshed approach to London.

Over the intervening decades, we have doubtless done great work and made huge strides in crafting this contemporary London, a London 2.0, and this progress should be more celebrated. Yet even before being blind-sided by the global pandemic, the city was facing new and different challenges, as well as a return to some of the conditions we set out to solve in the ‘90s, with insufficient attention paid to the subtle shifts, the negative factors, and the unintended consequence of social, demographic, technological and economic changes that were etching a mark on London.

It was for this reason that London 3.0 was conceived. It is a chance to examine and celebrate the changes that London has gone through over the past twenty years, as well as, crucially, an exploration of the issues and current and potential challenges faced by the city and its people. It is a chance to galvanise refreshed thinking and common cause between the public and the private sector to help actively shape a city that is responsive to its change and multiple challenges: from social equity, housing affordability to the climate emergency. 

It was concieved well ahead of the pandemic, an important initiative even before the city was hit hard by its sustained impact. It is even more vital now.