London Research Articles

A Very British industrial policy: Green finance and the City-Bank-Treasury control of Net Zero

In 2017, the UK’s Industrial Strategy was thought to have marked an unconventional moment in British politics, as the state began to explicitly ‘pick the winners’ necessary to both grow and decarbonise the economy. This article demonstrates that a more conventional view of this moment can be found in the pages of the Green Finance Strategies where, contrary to the assumption that a green transformation requires developing domestic capacity in emergent technologies, the UK has instead chosen to be the financier of them. It draws on a novel dataset to find another instance of ‘Treasury Control’, in which large scale investments in low carbon sectors was eschewed to instead 'green' the financial expertise located in the City of London, thereby making green finance British industrial policy. Instead of any industrial transformation of the UK political economy, the pursuit of green finance belies the fact that any such transition, and by extension Net Zero, is shaped by the City-Bank-Treasury nexus' desire to preserve the prevailing economic model with as few adjustments as possible.

Passenger valuation of interchanges in urban public transport

Understanding how passengers perceive public transport interchanges is important to better explain current public transport mode and route choice behaviour and to better predict future demand levels. In this study we derive how passengers value a public transport interchange in a metropolitan context entirely based on recent, large-scale, Revealed Preference data, explicitly distinguishing between different types and modes of public transport interchanges. For this purpose we estimate three discrete choice models using maximum likelihood estimation, based on over 26,000 passenger route choices observed in June 2023 in the Greater London Area. We find that each public transport interchange is on average valued equivalent to 5 min uncrowded in-vehicle time. Additionally, our model results provide quantitative evidence that cross-platform interchanges between two metro journey legs are valued 20–25 % less negatively than a regular metro interchange where a level change is required. Multimodal bus-metro interchanges and out-of-station interchanges are perceived most negatively by passengers. Passengers value bus-bus interchanges on average about 60 % more negatively than metro-metro interchanges, possibly driven by factors such as comfort, service frequency, reliability and (perceived) safety. Our study results can be used for business case and appraisal purposes, when quantifying the impact of service changes which affect the number or type of interchanges.

Digital skills of and for lives marked by vulnerability: Being young, refugee, and connected in Europe

This article examines how teenage refugees in Europe develop digital skills in and through conditions of vulnerability. We argue that recognising vulnerability as a productive force, rather than merely as context, is crucial if we are to fully understand the emergence, limits and lack of skills among young people experiencing perpetual marginality. Drawing on 96 interviews and five creative workshops with teenage refugees in the cities of Athens, Brussels and London, we discuss three ways in which vulnerability and digital skills become entangled: (i) (dis-)connection, especially in conditions of scarce, interrupted and unsafe digital connectivity; (ii) learning, especially in contexts where digital and transnational literacies co-exist, compete or compensate for educational inequalities; and (iii) digital bordering, especially as this relates to restrictive regimes of mobility control that prolong risks for young refugees’ wellbeing and even life itself.

The potential of urban trees to reduce heat-related mortality in London

Increasing temperatures and more frequent heatwave events pose threats to population health, particularly in urban environments due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Greening, in particular planting trees, is widely discussed as a means of reducing heat exposure and associated mortality in cities. This study aims to use data from personal weather stations (PWS) across the Greater London Authority to understand how urban temperatures vary according to tree canopy coverage and estimate the heat-health impacts of London’s urban trees. Data from Netatmo PWS from 2015–2022 were cleaned, combined with official Met Office temperatures, and spatially linked to tree canopy coverage and built environment data. A generalized additive model was used to predict daily average urban temperatures under different tree canopy coverage scenarios for historical and projected future summers, and subsequent health impacts estimated. Results show areas of London with higher canopy coverage have lower urban temperatures, with average maximum daytime temperatures 0.8 °C and minimum temperatures 2.0 °C lower in the top decile versus bottom decile canopy coverage during the 2022 heatwaves. We estimate that London’s urban forest helped avoid 153 heat attributable deaths from 2015–2022 (including 16 excess deaths during the 2022 heatwaves), representing around 16% of UHI-related mortality. Increasing tree coverage 10% in-line with the London strategy would have reduced UHI-related mortality by a further 10%, while a maximal tree coverage would have reduced it 55%. By 2061–2080, under RCP8.5, we estimate that London’s current tree planting strategy can help avoid an additional 23 heat-attributable deaths a year, with maximal coverage increasing this to 131. Substantial benefits would also be seen for carbon storage and sequestration. Results of this study support increasing urban tree coverage as part of a wider public health effort to mitigate high urban temperatures.

The aftermath of failure. Paris, 1992–2012: the urban economy of a host Olympic City

ABSTRACT This paper considers the urban consequences of failing to host Olympic Games. Using the example of Paris and its unsuccessful bids to hosts the Olympic Games of 1992, 2008 and 2012, the paper analyses the pre- and post-bid status of key projected ‘Olympic’ sites within the context of urban plans and aspirations of the city of Paris. The French capital attracts special attention because of the rapid succession of submissions that proved to be outbid by those presented to the IOC by the cities of Barcelona (1992), Beijing (2008) and London (2012). The paper will briefly outline the reasons for failing to attract the Games but will devote most of its space for an analysis of the siting of the planned Olympic Villages, which often form the most lasting of legacies of Olympic Games in host cities.

An Analysis of the Identity Structures Built Up by the Characters in Zadie Smith's Novel White Teeth

This paper has been prepared in order to analyze the construction of an identity of both Bangladeshi migrants (Samad Iqbal) as well as English men (Archies Jones) who emigrated from other countries. Those are close friends. Lived in the multicultural city of London in Britain. In the novel White Teeth, the author explores the problems resulting from immigrants from various countries living in Britain, especially those who have left behind physical artifacts (cultural properties) and intangible attributes relating to their ethnic group inherited from the past of the immigrants, who lived in Britain from the first generation to the second generation. The novel of the Smiths is interconnected with their past and also deals with their dissatisfaction with their lives in a society in which they live today. According to Smith, his work is sensitively concerned with the second generation immigrants and their beliefs, which are transmitted from ultra-modern societies via their bringing up, living standards, values, taboos, thinking processes, and the likes. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the way in which the construction of identity of different characters in the novel White Teeth is explored through the lenses of different theories of social scholars, such as Colonial theory, hybridity theory, and post-modern era theories of identity in the social system. This paper also explores how characters existing in the novel construct identity of themselves and how different cultural interact on their identity formation in White Teeth

Thunderstorms coming up against the wind on 11 June 2023 – the development of a mesoscale convective system over southern England

AbstractOn 11 June 2023, a mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed over the southern UK producing heavy rainfall and numerous lightning strikes. The MCS formed from clusters of relatively small‐scale thundery showers south and west of the London area. These showers then merged together and grew upscale to form an organised convective system of the leading‐line trailing stratiform type with a large quasi‐circular cloud shield. Both surface‐based and elevated convection appears to have been involved. Heavy rainfall caused localised surface water flooding with a number of stations in southern England reporting event totals in excess of 1 inch (25.4mm).

Predicting network congestion by extending betweenness centrality to interacting agents.

We present a simple model to predict network activity at the edge level by extending a known approximation method to compute betweenness centrality with a repulsive mechanism to prevent unphysical densities. By taking into account the strong interaction effects often observed in real phenomena, we aim to obtain an improved measure of edge usage during rush hours as traffic congestion patterns emerge in urban networks. In this approach, the network is iteratively populated by agents following dynamically evolving fastest paths who are progressively attracted towards uncongested parts of the network as the global traffic volume increases. Following the transition of the network state from empty to saturated, we study the emergence of congestion and the progressive disruption of global connectivity due to a relatively small fraction of crowded edges. We assess the predictive power of our model by comparing the speed distribution against a large experimental data set for the London area with remarkable results, which also translate into a qualitative similarity of the congestion maps. Also, percolation analysis confirms the quantitative agreement of the model with the real data for London. We perform simulations for seven other topologically different cities to obtain the Fisher critical exponent τ that shows no common functional dependence on the traffic level. The critical exponent γ, studied to assess the power-law decay of spatial correlation, is found to be inversely proportional to the number of vehicles for both real and simulated traffic. This simulation approach seems particularly fit to describe qualitative and quantitative properties of the network loading process, culminating in peak-hour congestion, by using only topological and geographical network features.

Diagnosis & Treatment Options in Depression with comorbid Dementia

AbstractDepression and Dementia Professor Allan H Young, Head of Academic Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital and King’s College London UK. allan.young@kcl.ac.uk Mood Disorders are common, encompass cognitive impairments and occur in later life including first onset after the age of 50 years of age. There is a considerable overlap between depression and dementia. The relationship between depression and dementia will be reviewed and the implications for diagnosis and treatment will be discussed. Novel agents targeting alternative neurotransmitter pathways and inflammatory processes are promising potential treatment options. Neurostimulation treatments play a role with ECT at present having the best utility for late onset depression. Key words: depression, dementia, antidepressants; pharmacotherapyDisclosure of Interest A. Young Grant / Research support from: Principal Investigator in the Restore-Life VNS registry study funded by LivaNova. Principal Investigator on ESKETINTRD3004: “An Open-label, Long-term, Safety and Efficacy Study of Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment-resistant Depression.” Principal Investigator on “The Effects of Psilocybin on Cognitive Function in Healthy Participants” Principal Investigator on “The Safety and Efficacy of Psilocybin in Participants with Treatment-Resistant Depression (P-TRD)” Principal Investigator on “A Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Group Study with Quetiapine Extended Release as Comparator to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Seltorexant 20 mg as Adjunctive Therapy to Antidepressants in Adult and Elderly Patients with Major Depressive Disorder with Insomnia Symptoms Who Have Responded Inadequately to Antidepressant Therapy.” (Janssen) Principal Investigator on “ An Open-label, Long-term, Safety and Efficacy Study of Aticaprant as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult and Elderly Participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).” (Janssen) Principal Investigator on “A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicentre, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Aticaprant 10 mg as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with Moderate-to-severe Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy.” Principal Investigator on “ A Study of Disease Characteristics and Real-life Standard of Care Effectiveness in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) With Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy Including an SSRI or SNR.” (Janssen) UK Chief Investigator for Compass; COMP006 & COMP007 studies UK Chief Investigator for Novartis MDD study MIJ821A12201, Consultant of: Paid lectures and advisory boards for the following companies with drugs used in affective and related disorders: Flow Neuroscience, Novartis, Roche, Janssen, Takeda, Noema pharma, Compass, Astrazenaca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Sunovion, Servier, Livanova, Janssen, Allegan, Bionomics, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, Sage, Neurocentrx

Regional and Local Inequalities in Disability Status by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: A Cross-Sectional Ecological Analysis of the 2021 Census of England and Wales.

To examine regional differences in disability status by sexual orientation and gender identity and to explore local factors that are associated with levels of inequalities for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other sexual orientations (LGB+) or transgender. This was a cross-sectional ecological analysis of 2021 Census data from England and Wales. The main outcome variable was disability status. The main explanatory variables were sexual orientation and gender identity. Weighed linear regression was used to examine differences in disability status by sexual orientation (LGB+ vs. heterosexual) and gender identity (transgender vs. cisgender). The magnitude of between-group differences was explored by region and, in England, local authority-level urbanization and socioeconomic deprivation. Among 48.5 million census respondents within 331 local authority districts (LADs) across England and Wales, LGB+ and transgender groups were more likely to report having a disability than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Inequalities were prevalent across regions of England and Wales, but were smallest in the Greater London area and largest in the southwest of England. Inequalities were also larger within English LADs that were relatively less urbanized and relatively more socioeconomically deprived. This study identified disparities in disability status by sexual orientation and gender identity, which varied by region and local socioeconomic deprivation and urbanization. More research is needed to better understand how to support disabled LGBT+ people, especially those in less urbanized and more socioeconomically deprived areas.

Abstract 3350: The pan-quadruplex drug QN-302 targets up-regulated genes in pancreatic cancer and in other cancer types and correlate with poor patient prognosis

Abstract We have previously disclosed (Ahmed et al, ACS Med Chem Lett, 2020) a novel small molecule G-quadruplex binding compound, QN-302, that is highly potent in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and in several in vivo models for this disease. QN-302 was invented at University College London UK and has been subsequently developed by Qualigen Therapeutics Inc. It was cleared by the FDA in August 2023 for clinical evaluation and is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial at select oncology centers in the USA. Genes that are significantly down-regulated by QN-302 are mostly up-regulated genes in human PDAC. We report here that some of these genes are also up regulated in other cancer types, whose expression frequently correlates with poor patient prognosis. We have used human cancer data from https://www.proteinatlas.org which contains pathology information based on mRNA and protein expression data from 17 different forms of human cancer, together with millions of in-house generated immunohistochemically stained tissue sections, images and Kaplan-Meier plots showing the correlation between mRNA expression of each human protein gene and cancer patient survival. We have revisited the RNA-seq data for QN-302 in PDAC MIA-PACA2 cells exposed to QN-302 for 24 hrs. (GSE151741 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) in detail and now identify a small group of eleven down-regulated genes, all with >3-fold expression changes. Interestingly all these genes and their gene products have been previously identified as playing a role in human PDAC (they also have varying roles in other cancer types). Some have been validated as anticancer targets. 10/11 of these genes (https://www.proteinatlas.org/) have been previously reported as being over-expressed in significant fractions of large (>150) groups of human cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. Members of the PDAC susceptible gene panel are mostly disfavored in prostate, lung and breast cancer. However, the patient data does not discriminate between cancer sub-types nor does it show resistant data. They are especially favored in colorectal, liver and renal cancers, suggesting that QN-302 may have anticancer effects in these cancers as well as in PDAC. We also do not exclude the strong possibility that each cancer type also has its own group of G-quadruplex containing genes that are sensitive to QN-302. Citation Format: Stephen Neidle, Ahmed A. Ahmed, Tariq Arshad. The pan-quadruplex drug QN-302 targets up-regulated genes in pancreatic cancer and in other cancer types and correlate with poor patient prognosis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3350.

Abstract 576: The pan-quadruplex drug QN-302 selectively down-regulates key pathway targets in pancreatic cancer cells that are up-regulated in human pancreatic cancer

Abstract We have previously disclosed (Ahmed et al, ACS Med Chem Lett, 2020) a novel small molecule G-quadruplex binding compound, QN-302, that is highly potent in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and in several in vivo models for this disease. QN-302 was invented at University College London UK and has been subsequently developed by Qualigen Therapeutics Inc. It was cleared by the FDA in August 2023 for Phase 1a clinical trials in USA and is currently under clinical evaluation. RNA-seq whole-genome transcriptome analysis revealed that QN-302 selectively targets G-quadruplexes in cancer-related genes, notably by forming stable G-quadruplex complexes with appropriate promoter sequences. This results in the transcriptional down regulation of affected genes, which map to for example, the hedgehog, axon guidance, WNT/β-catenin and P38 signal transduction pathways. In many instances individual expression changes are modest, though statistically significant: cumulatively, they affect whole pathways. We have revisited the RNA-seq data for QN-302 in PDAC MIA-PACA2 cells (GSE151741 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) in detail and now identify a small group of eleven down-regulated genes, all with >3-fold expression changes. Interestingly all these genes and their genes products have been previously identified as playing a role in human PDAC (they also have varying roles in other cancer types). Some have been validated as anticancer targets. 10/11 of these genes (https://www.proteinatlas.org/) have been previously reported as being over-expressed in significant fractions of large (>150) groups of human cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. Cellular transcriptome data on these eleven genes is presented here, which together with earlier reports on them, supports the designation of QN-302 as a pan-G-quadruplex agent targeting a group of major genes involved in PDAC maintenance and metastasis. Data from a xenograft model for pancreatic cancer is also available for four of these genes, which concurs with the cellular data. We suggest that the identification of these 11 genes may also provide a basis for biomarker selection and possible patient stratification based on transcriptome data. Citation Format: Stephen Neidle, Ahmed A. Ahmed, Tariq Arshad. The pan-quadruplex drug QN-302 selectively down-regulates key pathway targets in pancreatic cancer cells that are up-regulated in human pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 576.

Examining the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Iraqi Refugees in Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health and social inequities among migrant groups more than others. Higher rates of poverty, unemployment, living in crowded households, and language barriers have placed resettled refugees at a higher risk of facing disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand how this most vulnerable population has been impacted by the ongoing pandemic, this study reports on the responses of 128 Iraqi refugees in the city of London, Ontario, to a survey on the economic, social, and health-related impacts that they have faced for almost two years since the beginning the pandemic. The analysis of the survey indicated that 90.4% of the study population reported having health concerns during the pandemic while 80.3% expressed facing financial distress. The results also show that 58.4% of respondents experienced some form of social isolation. These all suggest that refugees are faced with several barriers which can have a compounding effect on their resettlement experience. These findings provide resettlement and healthcare providers with some information that may assist in reducing the impact of COVID-19 and other possible health security emergencies on resettled refugees and their communities.

Wrist-worn actigraphy in agitated late-stage dementia patients: A feasibility study on digital inclusion.

Wrist-worn actigraphy can be an objective tool to assess sleep and other behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD). We investigated the feasibility of using wearable actigraphy in agitated late-stage dementia patients. Agitated, late-stage Alzheimer's dementia care home residents in Greater London area (n=29; 14 females, mean age±SD: 80.8±8.2; 93.1% White) were recruited to wear an actigraphy watch for 4weeks. Wearing time was extracted to evaluate compliance, and factors influencing compliance were explored. A high watch-acceptance (96.6%) and compliance rate (88.0%) was noted. Non-compliance was not associated with age or BPSD symptomatology. However, participants with "better" cognitive function (R=0.42, p=0.022) and during nightshift (F1.240, 33.475=8.075, p=0.005) were less compliant. Female participants were also marginally less compliant (F1, 26=3.790, p=0.062). Wrist-worn actigraphy appears acceptable and feasible in late-stage agitated dementia patients. Accommodating the needs of both the patients and their carers may further improve compliance.

Experience of Leading European Global Cities in Attracting Foreign Direct Investments and Labor Migrants: Opportunities for Use in Russia

This research examines how Russian cities can learn from leading European global cities in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign labor migrants. It emphasizes the link between migration and investment flows in global cities specialized in specific services. Global cities play a crucial role in attracting transnational factors of economic growth, with migration being a significant factor. The study analyzes the potential benefits of migration to global cities, including increased trade and capital flows. This benefits both the countries of origin through remittances and the global cities themselves through FDI. European global cities, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Madrid, Frankfurt, Vienna, Zurich, Dublin, and Berlin, are major centers attracting FDI and labor migrants. Each city has its own specialization and competitive advantages, contributing to the global division of labor. Building on previous research, the study analyzes the attracting factors identified by the City of London for FDI and foreign-born skilled personnel. It aims to identify applicable opportunities for Moscow and St. Petersburg, the leading Russian global cities. While Moscow and St. Petersburg are well-ranked, other Russian cities have limited recognition. The research plans to expand to other Russian global cities, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of global city development. The research explores how Russian cities can leverage the experiences of leading European global cities to attract FDI and foreign labor migrants. By doing so, Russian cities can foster economic growth and enhance their global standing.

«…Wishing to Take Due Precaution… and to Preserve the Honour and Decency of the Same City»: the Problem of the Sanitary Condition of 14th Century London and Attempts to Solve it

The article examines the problem of inadequate sanitary condition of the English capital in the 14th century and the attempts taken by official authorities – royal and municipal – to solve it, incl. against the backdrop of a plague epidemic. Based on the royal orders addressed to the London magistrate and the data from research literature, the author identifies and characterizes the main steps of the Crown and City administrations aimed at correcting the situation, considering, in particular, the history of the creation of two new cemeteries: East and West Smithfield and some controversial issues associated with it, for example, the problem of the authorship of the project, its implementation and the degree of the government’s participation in that. Estimates of the number, age and gender composition of the victims of the Black Death buried here are also provided. The results of the investigation lead the author to the conclusion that, despite its obvious significance, the issue of the neglected sanitary condition of London did not receive a comprehensive solution in the century under review, since it became relevant only if a critical level risked being reached, when, due to objective reasons, it could no longer be ignored. This also determined the impossibility of developing those few measures taken into a full-fledged state policy. At the same time, the need for changes in the field of municipal hygiene, aggravated by the epidemic, contributed to the intensification of public initiative, supported or directed by the monarch. Thus, a new impetus was given to the dialogue between the royal and municipal authorities in the development and implementation of a unified sanitation policy. In addition, addressing the topic under consideration is of great practical importance for reconstructing the picture of the daily life of a medieval city in an emergency and its preparedness for such trials making it possible to clarify the scale of the Black Death in London.

A feasibility (pilot) mixed methods study of an innovative non-pharmacological breath-based yoga and social-emotional intervention program in an at-risk youth sample in London, Canada

BackgroundVarious service provision models for youth at risk of homelessness have been researched and implemented, including access to housing and physical and mental health resources. However, even with these interventions, we remain unaware of how best to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety and the rate of drug use in these populations primarily because of a lack of feasibility data.MethodsThis paper presents the results of a mixed-methods study in London, Canada, that examined the feasibility of implementing a biopsychosocial intervention, SKY Schools, in at-risk youth aged between 16 and 25 (n = 49). The study also recorded qualitative responses about the program’s usefulness from the perspective of the service users. The SKY Schools intervention consisted of social-emotional learning combined with Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, a standardized yoga-based breathing exercise routine. The intervention program was divided into two phases: an active learning phase and a reinforcement phase. The following feasibility outcome measures were collected: (1) the number of potential participants approached per month, (2) number (proportion) who were successfully screened, (3) the proportion of screened participants who enrolled, (4) the rate of retention in the study, (5) rate of adherence to study protocol, (6) proportion of planned ratings that were completed, (7) intervention cost per case, (8) completeness of final data for analysis, (9) length of time to collect all data, (10) quality of all collected data, (11) determining if partnering community organizations were willing to conduct the study as per study protocol, (12) determining if there were any capacity issues with partners providing intervention and investigators being able to perform the tasks that they were committed to doing, (13) determining if there were any problems of entering the data into a computer, (14) preliminary data about the safety of the intervention, and (15) preliminary estimate of treatment effects.ResultsAll feasibility outcome measures were collectible. In the city of London, Canada it was feasible to conduct a pilot study in this population of youth at risk of homelessness. Foremost among the findings was a high retention rate (61.2%) and overall positive qualitative feedback with a number of potential suggestions to improve the delivery and quality of the intervention. However, we had a significantly low recruitment rate (0.27 participants per week) suggesting that multiple sites will be needed to achieve an adequate sample size for a subsequent definitive trial.ConclusionsFuture researchers may consider the findings of this feasibility study when designing a randomized control trial to further assess the efficacy and tolerability of SKY Schools.Trial registrationTrial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02749240. Registered April 22, 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02749240.

Southbank Place development: tunnel movement predictions and monitoring performance

The Southbank Place project comprised the redevelopment of the UK headquarters of the Shell Company (formerly known as the Shell Centre) in the Waterloo area of London. The project included the demolition of all structures within the site except for the iconic tower building, local extension of the existing basement and the construction of eight new mixed-use buildings. London Underground's (LU) Bakerloo Line and Northern Line running tunnels pass beneath the site. The excavation of the basement and construction of the Shell Centre in the late 1950s caused movements of the underlying Bakerloo Line tunnels that were much larger than expected. The monitoring of these tunnels between 1958 and 1995 has provided a classic case history for the behaviour of London Clay. The proposed redevelopment offered an opportunity to analyse and monitor the behaviour of LU tunnels over a period of 60 years and two phases of significant construction. This paper presents a back-analysis of the historical monitoring of the Bakerloo Line tunnels and the calibration of a sophisticated finite-element model. The model was subsequently used to predict the impact of the redevelopment on the tunnels as part of the assurance procedure with LU.

« Guerre » et « Londres ». Pour une relecture contemporaine de Céline ?

During 2022, Gallimard released two of Céline’s “unpublished novels”, recounting Brigadier Ferdinand's convalescence after suffering serious wounds on the Flanders front (Guerre), and the same hero's subsequent wanderings through the capital of the United Kingdom, where Ferdinand lives among French pimps (Londres). After examining the circumstances surrounding the publication of both texts, we will focus on the direct and indirect representation of the war, which functions here as a kind of “original sin” from which all subsequent evil results, but also as a radical paradigm shift in relationships between men and women, written language and spoken language, etc.

Transport-land use systems of sustainable London city

<p>Transportation and land use are interrelated and should be investigated simultaneously for sustainable urban. This paper investigates the interaction between transport and land-use systems using TRANUS model, to support the sustainable development of the London city, provide implicative information for London Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS), and reduce transport energy use and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Three infrastructure improvements scenarios for 2025 for MTS are examined. Results show that the trips will increase from 2012 to 2025 by over 1 million. High-occupancy car, bike, rail and tube are still the main transit, and CrossRail will be increasingly recognized. The transport energy use in 2025 high scenario is the smallest compared to 2025 baseline and low scenario. The transport CO<sub>2</sub> emissions show difference for these three 2025 scenarios, with low and high scenarios having smaller transport CO<sub>2</sub> emissions than baseline. These have informative implications for UK national infrastructure plans, and suggest that accounting environmental benefits of infrastructures will contribute to reduce the underinvestment in infrastructure.</p>