defrag

The word "consolidation" crops up a lot these days - e.g "consolidation of the retail sector". It's a buzz-word.

What does it mean ? Perhaps, a consolidated economy is like a defragmented computer hard-drive which is faster than a heavily fragmented one. The economists at GLA Economics welcome "consolidation in the grocery sector" for "enabling improved productivity and lower prices to consumers". The word consolidation crops up 8 times in a short report called "Retail in London" issued by GLA Economics. The GLA economists think consolidation is generally a good thing for London's retail sector but acknowledge the decline of small shop business in the face of competition from the larger, more powerful and efficient retailers.

OK: consolidation means fewer players and a core of very sussed traders taking the lions share of business. Does the visual representing a fragmented hard-drive look nicer than the one of a defrag'd drive ?

Lassos

Convenient territorial demarcations are multiplied by the implementation of bureaucratic and technological solutions to urban problems

These territories or lassos - suggestings insiders and outsiders - become definitive of parts of the city and are always absorbed by commercial culture for marketing purposes.

1. Peripheriques (M25 etc)
   
2. planning "zones" and other demarcations e.g "conservation area"
3. other notable planning "protections" e.g Green Belt or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
   
4. "areas of benefit" associated by State funded "regeneration"
5. nature of building stock
6. travel zones
   
7. congestion charging zones
   
8. parking rights
9. school catchments
10. commuting times
11. car-sharing schemes & bike-sharing (Lyon - description of bike-sharing)

First Post

This is a blog of ideas for improving the city space which I inhabit in London. It's a commentary inevitably on things as they stand, on how they might be. Some of it is really frail, I know. There's always weakness if one's contribution is unsolicited.

Who's this for ? Anyone who'll be moderately lifted by a thought shared about improving this city and the less central parts where I am found, those parts subject to po-faced administration rather than any inspiration.

Our city invites us to think and speak.