We help build better cities through knowledge, networks and leadership
Large inequalities in wealth and shared opportunities have long been a problem in London. Before the Covid-19 crisis, 28% of Londoners were found to be living in poverty, compared to 22% across the UK. The Covid-19 pandemic has amplified pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities in the nation’s capital, with shocking and disproportionate effects seen in relation to factors such as gender, ethnicity, disability and age.
Recovery will be one of the biggest challenges of 2021. Critical to this will be addressing the devastating impact of Covid-19, as well as Brexit, on equalities. If we don’t tackle this head on, we risk an even more polarised city of haves and have–nots, pervading all aspects of city life from homes to employment to wellbeing. With pressures including ongoing crisis management, uncertainty, resource deficit and a lack of joined–up working, it is hard to know which way to turn.
Future of London’s major 2021 project – Building Recovery: closing the gap – will share successful approaches to tackling the equity gap from across the capital, as well as other UK and overseas cities. Linking to London’s recovery missions, themes include: upskilling for green and growth industries, affordable homes, public space, transport, and culture and the arts in London and beyond. The programme will shine a light on innovative projects working to close the equity gap and explore how new ways of collaborating across sectors – including communities – can safeguard fairer cities for all.
| The widening gap in numbers | |
| 307,000 | More Londoners have made unemployment related claims since March 2020 [1] |
| 23% | Increase in homelessness in the capital in the last quarter of 2020 [2] |
| £350 – £720 | Predicted loss in income for ethnic minority households in London due to tax and welfare changes |
| 1 in 12 | Private renters in London have fallen behind on their rent during lockdown [3] |
We’re keen to connect with organisations involved in working with London’s post-Covid recovery and equity across the capital. If you have experience to share or are interested in partnering with FoL on this project, please contact Hannah Gibbs.
28 July, 2 to 4 pm
Site visit to Aberfeldy, Poplar
Registration and further information here
11 November, times TBC
Building recovery conference, Hilton London Tower Bridge
Further information to come
29 April, 4 to 5 pm
The ‘Covid decade’: Exploring the long-term implications of Covid-19 and how we jump start recovery
Event write-up and video
18 May, 2 to 3.30 pm
The scale of challenge and opportunity in building recovery roundtable
Event write-up and video
19 May – 14 June
Building recovery survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey – results will be published later in the year
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Co-design with residents in Barking’s Gascoigne neighbourhood has produced a great shared-use space with life beyond its temporary home. Be First planner and Leaders Plus alumna Emma Thorpe shares how they did it.
How much of central Manchester do you attempt with just over two hours and a very knowledgeable group? All of it, of course! We didn’t get everywhere but certainly gave it a shot with this fascinating GM Leaders Plus field trip.
We are drowning in debate over how we should meet for work, if and when people come in at all. Field trips are a great way to surface, and to share learning and power between stakeholders.
First field trip out of lockdown? Had to be King’s Cross! Leaders Plus 8 met there in person for the first time, and got a reminder of all that’s gone into this regeneration exemplar.
Future London Leaders 27 wrapped up in June 2021 with candidates presenting their Proposals for London on the theme of Green Recovery in webinar format. A virtual audience of colleagues, mentors, sponsors, alumni and course contributors tuned in to cast their votes from home.
Many councils are under pressure to fill budget gaps and sell their owned or managed buildings. But more are becoming ‘market makers,’ pushing for a longer-term stake and turning vacant or under-used buildings into community-managed assets
As part of our Building recovery programme, this roundtable aimed to highlight the key challenges facing the sector when it comes to prioritising fairness in recovery. Our multi-disciplinary panel gave their reflections on the sector’s urgent priorities with key themes around procurement, diversity and skills gaps.
In the context of building recovery, councils are looking at how to create more opportunities for under-presented groups to get involved in housing delivery. Future of London’s Council-Led Housing Forum held a roundtable on Apprenticeships and Traineeships, exploring how apprenticeships are an effective way of diversifying development management teams and helping councils recover from the pandemic.