Why london doesn't look like a European city?

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The architecture of London is not like the cities of north eastern USA - those cities' architecture is like London.

London is a European city, and lots of European cities are devoid of skyscrapers for good reason, Europeans don't like these tasteless, tacky structures, unless their design can be distinctive and add to the city's character.

There are some skyscrapers in London, but London is reluctant to give planning consent to them on various grounds, one major sticking point is blocking views of the ancient landmarks, such as St Paul's Cathdral, from certain lines of sight, eg the South Bank.

The Canary Wharf towers in the east end docklands could never have been built in the square mile. Londoners already hate the former Natwest Tower (now Tower 42). But they seem to have given the thumbs up to the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe)

There are some bigger skyscrapers planned. I hope they don't go too high, spoil views of great buildings, and that only the most unusual designs are chosen.

Another issue traditionally in the South East of England has been the softness of the ground - sand banks, chalk downs and coal seams, too soft to support heavy buildings in some places.

jss26

certain parts of it do. but you cant generalise the whole of europe and think that every city should look the same. thats just stupid! all cities in america look the same because of their skyscrapers, at least london has a bit of everything: old architecture, green areas, shopping streets, skyscrapers etc. may i remind you that london is way older than all those cities you've listed so thats why they look like that.

belledeschamps

It does and yes London was built long before any cities in the states !

Alipatta

Are you thick?
The financial district IS FULL of big skyscraper-ish type buildings.... it has very definite ethnic districts (but we don't like to stick them in ghettoes), I'm sorry, I don't know what you're on about. Should every city look the same? They're all getting that way with bloody macdonalds and those coffee houses on every corner anyway. argh. Let's homogenise (sp?) every city so we can feel at home everywhere we go eh?
bah.

Lee S

its british architecture which i am very proud of if it wasnt for our history there wuld be know victorian of georgian architecture in the states they borrowed that idea form us and let me just say even though we are in europe england is so very different from other european countries yeah we do have similar architecture but england is so very different form the rest of the eu in so many other ways and that is the reason why not other countries in europe like us
i would not want london any different u have to be london born and bred to understand what im sayin but im sure my other fellow britons do. its british architecture there is loads of fantastic peices of it around london like the georgian and victorian whitewashed terraces and georgian office buildings all covering the west end and other parts of london and they will probably allways be there as many of them are listed by english heritage i by far think that london has some of the most fantastic beautiful architecture on the planet which makes me extremely proud of mu country like i said before our ideas were use also by the americans in some parts of there cities but whatever you say why dont your type in architecture of london on google and do some more research then ask this question again

but wahtever you say london certainly does not look american!!!

nectar_pepsi

Firstly what is this financial centre skyscraper district you speak of? You mean the City? It's hardly midtown manhattan. If you actually go to the City you will see that the majority of the buildings there are very "european", the Bank of England for example. Also plenty of European cities do have an area with tall buildings, for example La Defense in Paris, and Frankfurt has the tallest buildings in Europe.

Also, how do you definite a "European-looking" city anyway? They all look different. A Spanish city won't look anything like a French city, which won't look anything like a German city.

Maybe you are expecting all European cities to be quaint little places with market squares and a cathedral. But in reality only the smaller touristy cities look like this.

Dollar

Man definitly you are crazy and crazy and crazy... London is a single city. USA Architectury is like London not the oppoisite

Angel

.London is London, no where else like it

amsterdam

London looks like London. If you don't think we're in Europe - check out the map. And anyway, why should we care what you think of us ? If you don't like it. feck off

Spike

If there had to be a capital city of the world it would be London. It has long been the greatest city in the world and despite a bit of re-modeling courtesy of the Luftwaffe it has jack **** to do with europe ( as does the rest of the UK for that matter)........have a nice day.

Stammerman!

Perhaps it's because London evolves more than other European cities.

MICHAEL F

London is discribed as a British City, not a European city. London is like the rest of Britain, unique to the rest of Europe, different road signs to the rest of Europe, one of a few countries in Europe who drive on the left, the people don't even recognise themselves as European. Most British cities and towns, including London do not have town squares in the centre.

Phillidelphia, New York and Boston were at one time in British colonies, so they were probably based on London and other British towns and cities. Boston very much could be mistaken for Britain, when you take the cars away.

stepney_lad

Because we are unique

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