Introduction

The UK government's Sustainable Development Strategy calls for ‘necessary decisions now to realise our vision of stimulating economic growth and tackling the deficit, maximising wellbeing and protecting our environment, without negatively impacting on the ability of future generations to do the same’ (Defra, 2011a, p 2). This is the latest iteration of UK sustainable development (SD) policy in which SD is presented as a ‘realizable condition gained through the convergence of environmental, social and economic action’ (Fry, 2009, p 44). This chapter explores how this ‘triple bottom line’ definition of SD continues to shape the parameters for development and planning in London today.

The UK economy has been in a fragile state since the global credit crunch began in 2008. Yet national SD policy continues to be informed by what Fry (2009, p 41) terms a ‘“capital logic” proposition that the future can be secured via continual economic growth.’ With that said, the current government's construction of SD does differ subtly from earlier strategies that focused on growth management. In light of the economic downturn, the recent White Paper, The natural choice: securing the value of nature (Defra, 2011b), frames SD not around economic growth per se, but rather the notion of economic recovery. In a context of deepening ecological and economic scarcity, the paper calls for the contribution the natural environment makes to quality of life and economic success to be quantified in economic terms: ‘valuing nature properly holds the key to a green and growing economy’ (Defra, 2011b, p 2).

In London, Mayor Boris Johnson's definition of SD rests upon creating a dynamic climate of economic growth. The assumption is that growth will deliver wider social and environmental benefits, not only for the city and its inhabitants, but for the whole of the UK. Greater London Authority (GLA) publications, including the (2009) Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and the overall strategic plan for London (London Plan), ‘welcome and support growth and development’ (GLA, 2011, para 1.49). This growth and development is deemed sustainable in that it meets the ‘immediate needs of the city and its people and providing foundations for lasting development and improvement for future generations of Londoners’ (GLA, 2011, para 1.49).