London scoping - ukcip

7.11 Creative Industries
Final Report
192
7.11.1 Context
Key creative industries include music, fashion, new media, film and broadcasting. They
employ more than 400,000 people in London and generate £20 billion per annum. It is one of
the fastest growing sectors of the London economy. The sector - apart from in the broadcast
media - is characterised by being made up of small and medium enterprises located in clusters
in West London, as well as in areas such as the Lower Lee Valley and Deptford Creekside.
The project stakeholder consultation has identified the following as the most likely impacts of
climate change in this sector.
7.11.2 Flooding and Rainfall Intensity Impacts
Further expansion of the industry into the Thames Gateway, as suggested by the draft London
Plan may increase the flood risk of the properties that are occupied by the sector unless flood
prevention measures are undertaken - as described in the sections above. One range of
options is presently being generated by the sector itself - innovative urban design. The
Mayor’s Architect and Urbanism Unit is understood to be co-ordinating such work as part of
the Mayor’s 100 Spaces project. The work of this unit, and others involved in this area, is
likely to contribute to other areas of building design that can mitigate climate change impacts
on buildings and other urban areas, such as temperature and ventilation issues. This area of
business can therefore be seen as an opportunity for London in terms of there being a new
market arising out of the need for adaptation on a global basis.
7.11.3 Impacts Due to General Climate Change
Climate change impacts on labour supply to London may have a role in determining future
growth of the sector. Specifically, any accelerated movement from the city because of a
decline in its relative attractiveness against e.g. creative centres in Europe e.g. Paris, or in the
US - most notably New York - may undermine such growth.
7.11.4 Socio-Economic Scenario Differences
Under the GM scenario media is likely to consolidate further at the global scale, with a
parallel continued expansion in multi-media. If we consider the adaptation of buildings to
flood risk and other climate change effects as an opportunity for the design industry globally,
then it may be that a consolidation may be better able to exploit such an opportunity.