eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

• Water resources (reduction in summer soil moisture, lower summer and higher winter
flows in rivers).
• Air Quality
• Biodiversity
A study called “London's Warming: The impacts of climate change on London” was launched in
Oct 2002 by London Climate Change Partnership (LCCP 2002), with the overall objective of
outlining the ‘threats and opportunities presented by climate change, and starting to address the
responses needed’. A further study in 2008 entitled “The London Climate Change Adaptation
Strategy – Draft Report” aims to “protect and enhance the quality of life of Londoners and to
promote and facilitate sustainable development of London by helping London and Londoners
prepare for the impact of climate change and extreme weather” (GLA 2008). This will identify
the climate impacts that are likely for London and provide guidance and policies for precaution
and adaptation.
2.4.1 Expansion of London and urban forms
London has been expanding since the Roman times, although different periods in history have
been characterised by different rates, and forms, of physical expansion (Mogridge et al. 1997).
The population of 6.7 million quoted above is that of Greater London, which represents the
continuously built-up area. If the outer metropolitan area is included in the estimate, the
population rises to around 13.2 million, and for the South East region to around 17 million
(Parker 1995). Population growth will not however be the focus of this review, since land use
change is the predominant driver of urban effects on climate.
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