The reversal of strategic planning in London: the Boris effect with a focus on sustainability

Boris Johnson won the election for Mayor of London in 2008 with a manifesto based on pragmatic populism. This style contrasts significantly with that of the previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone. The switch in style raises for us the question of whether the new pragmatism has meant a loss in strategic planning and leadership for London. We will examine this question by comparing the London Plans produced by Mayors Livingstone and Johnson, focusing specifically on sustainability. Our contention is that under Livingstone a positive step was taken to remedying these former problems and but that there is a danger that under Johnson this step has been transformed into a shuffle.