Speaker Biograghy: Chris is responsible for the Mayor of London's aviation work. The jewel in the crown is a vision for a new hub airport, which would transform London's transport and spatial planning landscape. A transport planner by trade, Chris cut his teeth delivering projects as wacky as a cable car over the River Thames, and as mundane as new car parking signage in Outer London town centres.


Day 3 - 27 March
Session: Airport Cities and Transport Connections

10:35 - 11:05 - A new airport for London: the opportunity for urban transformation
Synopsis: London and the UK wish to remain at the table of major global players. Heathrow is already full, and can only accommodate half of its forecast future demand. Because expansion would have tremendous negative consequences, the Mayor of London would like to see the UK take a bold step and build a new hub airport, to transform the fortunes of East London and the Thames Gateway (Europe’s largest regeneration area), safeguard the UK’s future needs and minimise aviation's negative impacts. The Mayor's responsibilities include London’s economy, environment and transport connections. Find out more about one of his flagship planning policies.

Audience will learn:

• London’s shifting geometry – the opportunity to strategically reconcile the needs of aviation, urban development, housing and the economy
• The benefits of aviation connectivity – ensuring global trade and travel links to maintain economic health and growth
• Hub capacity is key – the cycle of incremental growth and the lack of coherent strategy hinders opportunities
• Transport in south-east England is strained – new airport capacity must be accompanied by significant investment in road and rail
• The prize – an efficient, expandable, long-term aviation capacity solution, relief from noise for London’s residents, and regeneration opportunities