How London’s Square Mile became a global leader in walkability and cycling

Shravan Joshi from the City of London Corporation highlighted the significant transformation of London’s transport network to enhance walkability and cycling.London is recognised as a highly walkable city, attributed to policymakers prioritising ground-level environments suitable for walking. The Square Mile features superior public transport accessibility, with six mainline stations and numerous underground and DLR stops.

Efforts to create a pedestrian and cycle-friendly environment have seen approximately 750,000 daily walks and wheel journeys within the square mile. Policies emphasise pedestrianisation and cycling, deeply embedding these priorities into city planning.

Freight traffic decreased

The City of London has surpassed its 2030 transportation targets, achieving a 70% increase in cycling since 2017, against a goal of 50%. Moreover, motor traffic has been reduced by 34%, exceeding the 25% target, while freight traffic decreased by 21%.

The Destination City Growth Strategy aims to attract people back to the city centre post-pandemic by enhancing hospitality and leisure options. The workforce has grown by 25%, now exceeding 675,000.

Public transport accessibility remains high, with 99.6% of office spaces within a five-minute walk from transport hubs. The upcoming City Plan 2040 anticipates a need for 1.2 million square meters of additional office space, promoting sustainability and urban regeneration.