To list or not to list? The bizarre process behind England’s listed buildings February 15, 2024 Historic England have enormous power when choosing to list or not to list a building. To preserve our richly textured historical cities, they shouldn't hold back, writes Lucy Kenningham
Inside the fight to save London’s gas lamps February 13, 2024 Lighting - you'd think it was uncontroversial but no: a motley crew of gas lamp lovers are campaigning to get London's last such lamps listed status - and they're winning.
Wielding pitchforks and flinging cow dung, the EU is beholden to angry farmers February 8, 2024 Caving into romanticised notions of the ancient farmers' ways of old won't give us the modern, climate-friendly agriculture we so desperately need.
Belfast is beautiful but its peace walls convey the scars of brutal recent history February 1, 2024 The scars of the Troubles are visible in the physical barriers that divide Belfast's citizens in two, writes Lucy Kenningham
What does the ICJ ruling on Gaza mean for Israel and its friends? January 26, 2024 On Friday the International Court of Justice demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive, though it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press on with the war. “We will continue to do what [...]
Against trees: London’s fussy little parks are a waste of time and money January 25, 2024 The buzzword ‘green’ nowadays adds kudos to any planning project – even if it’s a potted plant next to a bus stop, writes Lucy Kenningham
The politics of poo: Britain’s public toilets are in mortal peril January 18, 2024 In Britain, the state of public toilets paints a miserable scene. There are 1,500 public toilets in London, a city of over 8m people. Worse, our loos are in mortal peril.
So, what really is the point of the ICJ? January 15, 2024 The ICJ is the UN body known as the World’s Court but in the past has taken over a decade to conclude judgments – so how much use is it anyway?
London’s new Super Sewer may sound swell, but it’s a shoddy waste solution January 11, 2024 Sure, the Super Sewer is an upgrade from the current situation. But the opportunity to redesign London’s sewers in a future-thinking fashion has for the next century been thrown away.
Shellfish and shit: How sewage is soiling towns like Whitstable January 5, 2024 As water companies wash their hands of responsibility for sewage spillages, a swimmers’ coalition SOS Whitstable is fighting back...
