London: Nature and Culture

With the growth of the metropolis to a city of beyond eight million and with future plans to extend the urban area into the Thames Gateway, London is poised to enter a new phase in its development. This module explores the shaping of the human and natural environment of the contemporary metropolis, looking at challenges and dilemmas posed by urban expansion in the past, present and future. We will explore many diverse aspects of London, including its geology and natural history, parks, open spaces and nature conservation, population and government, economy and the role of the city, planning and housing.