BWS2026  

This breakfast session will take a deeper look at the characteristics of London and what makes its Innovation Geographies attractive to global corporates and global capital.

A City of London area tour including 10 Gresham Street, 50 Fenchurch Street, 22 Bishopsgate and more.

If you haven’t yet experienced King’s Cross, this tour introduces a place shaped through long-term stewardship and a clear vision for how cities can evolve. An iconic 21st Century London neighbourhood.

Over the past two decades, King’s Cross has been transformed into a mixed-use neighbourhood where heritage and innovation sit side by side — bringing together workspace, homes, culture and public realm.

More than a completed development, King’s Cross is a place designed to adapt over time, driven by strong partnerships and a focus on creating lasting social, economic and environmental value. The tour provides an overview of how the estate works today — and how it continues to evolve for the future.

Stratford’s regeneration in East London is one of London’s most successful and expansive urban renewal projects, transforming the Lower Lea Valley from a heavily polluted, post-industrial wasteland into a thriving cultural, economic, and residential hub.

A series of transport enhancements in the late 1990s and early 2000s including construction of the Jubilee line extension and HS1 served as a catalyst for this regeneration. The awarding of the 2012 Olympics to London and construction of the Olympic Park and adjacent Stratford City in the late 2000s and early 2010s accelerated this growth realising a new urban park and district including residential, commercial, retail, cultural and entertainment facilities.

The walking tour, organised by Arup staff who have led projects in Stratford over the last 30 years will take in the recent developments, discuss the next phases of development and wider opportunity that Stratford offers for regional growth.

This afternoon river tour will take place on the luxury replica 1890 paddle steamer, ‘The Elizabethan’ to enjoy views of the key buildings and landmarks that have shaped London. This experience will bring to life the evolving story of London’s built environment, connecting historic landmarks with the city’s future direction and the wider themes shaping the built world today.

Through provocations and shared perspectives, we will examine how the built environment can foster emotional resonance and collective experiences that increasingly shape resilient cities.