Is London Uk Turning Into Houston Us?

chest · #1 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 8:59 PM**

Wandered around my local area of London (EastEnd Docklands area), loads of construction going on but does it look like London? or more Houston...
does globalisation of cities destroy their characters?....

Churchill Place

Elektron

Ontario Tower
in this pano you can see the Pan Paninsula cranes, Churchill Place and to the far right the yellow Poplar Tower crane

Pan Paninsula

LostInTheZone · #2 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 9:03 PM**

I love your thread title.

to answer your question yes, London is indeed becoming just like Houston, Texas.

Let intelligent replies begin!

chest · #3 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 9:06 PM**

at night

staff · #4 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 9:12 PM**

Is London Uk Turning Into Houston Us?

- Yes, London is the new Houston. Houston is also the new London.

Fabb · #5 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 9:18 PM**

I didn't realize that there were so many constructions at the Docklands. Too bad most of the towers are bland.

chest · #6 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabb

I didn't realize that there were so many constructions at the Docklands. Too bad most of the towers are bland.

you are very correct - though thankfully all the new towers under construction and about to begin construction are of much higher quality...the unfortunate fact in London is the financial services sector like bland high quality towers - make no mistake the finish on these dull towers is exceptional, but the fact is business wants these type of towers - with their name in lights. In the City of London - about 3 miles away the towers under construction or about to begin construction are completely different - catering to an global financial market with a lot of money coming from the Middle East - intent on owning and financing 'trophy' towers.

Boris · #7 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Is London Uk Turning Into Houston Us?

Hmmm, does that mean London woman are becomming beautiful?

Oh, come on now; just a good natured joke.

London woman are just fine; I mean, really fine. Love the accent.

JManc · #8 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 10:34 PM**

that's just CW though because the rest of london looks distinctly london. although when i was in london, i noticed a lot of drive-thru beer stores, gun shops, taquerias, panera breads, targets, and pick-up trucks

houston has better bangers and mash though

Complex01 · #9 Posted **Dec 10, 2006, 11:44 PM**

bangers, what the duce. ???

Can someone tell me what a banger is. I guess i moved to H town just in time to see it be like London, cause i love London...

KevinFromTexas · #10 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 12:40 AM**

Nay, I would say that's even stale by Houston's standards. I've never cared for the Canary Wharf development.

And for the record, women with British accents are hawt!

Double L · #11 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 1:14 AM**

Post modernism has to spread all across the world and manifest itself in different forms. Englands post modernism will recieve it's own distinct look and character to brand the British identity on post modernism.

chest · #12 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 1:18 AM**

yes the development does have many 'stale' towers...the problem was the whole area was given blanket planning permission years ago so the towers didn't have to go through the usual scrutiny...things have changed, each building now has to be approved on its own merit and as a result all new towers are considerably better -

the latest to get the go ahead in the new year are the twin Riverside South Towers seen in my quick rendering below - the smaller renderings show towers now under construction

peacefu603 · #13 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 1:52 AM**

I have nothing to say.

staff · #14 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 3:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by peacefu603

I have nothing to say.

KevinFromTexas · #15 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 4:01 AM**

My comment wasn't a slam to London, I hope you guys know that. Other building designs there are fantastic and other areas of the city are much more attractive. I just think this development isn't up to snuff compared to the other designs and planning. Even so, they're not really that bad.

mSeattle · #16 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 4:17 AM**

I'm ignorant. Is that a little chemical plant smoke stack down there?
That pyramid-top building makes me think of lower Manhattan. The twin Riverside towers make me think they're the children of one of San Fransico's Embarcadero towers and Atlanta's 1180 Peachtree tower.
Oh, and the slanted oval tower looks "Toronto" to me. Maybe there is only "The Global City" and everything we thought was a city is only a district.

Nice construction activity and buildings.

BuildCTPlace · #17 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 5:08 AM**

I would say London is turning into Boston, but that's mostly because Boston has already turned into Houston-by-the-Bay.

Also, Houston has better light rail, I think.

James Bond Agent 007 · #18 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 6:12 AM**

Q: Is London UK Turning Into Houston US?
A: If it is, I'm sure not complaining!

BINARY SYSTEM · #19 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 6:38 AM**

The skyscraper is to the United States, what the aqueduct was to the Roman Empire. It symbolizes the ingenuity of a culture and people. In Paris they are frightened of American architecture influencing the historical European architecture,... so they push them to the outskirts of the city. London is one European city besides Frankfurt that greatly accepts this modern form of architecture.

Besides Foster and Partners are located in the UK---- best right now in my opinion.

westsider · #20 Posted **Dec 11, 2006, 7:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chest

I really like those buildings, does anyone know anything about them?