London： Aug. 29-Sept.1, 2025

 

I visited London as my last stop of my European trip this time. I've been there many times, but I discover something new each time I visit there. This time, I was impressed with the city's recent developments, revitalization, and continued expansion of bicycle and electric vehicle use.

On August 31st, many people were enjoying a holiday afternoon in Primrose Hills in north London. Looking south from the top of the hill, I saw a row of skyscrapers. The view was completely different from when I lived in London a decade or so ago.

In the City, the financial district in the east of the city, the number of skyscrapers has begun to increase since the 2010s. In 2020, the 278-meter-tall 22 Bishopsgate building was constructed. The building known as The Gherkin (180 meters, completed in 2003), once a prominent symbol of the City, is now not easy to find among the skyscrapers developed later.

 

I looked upstream (south) along the Thames from Westminster Bridge and found the skyscrapers of Vauxhall and other areas.

 

Redevelopment is are underway in many towns in London. The barracks in St. John's Wood have been closed, and construction works to develop parks, public facilities, and housing were in progress.

 

Projects such as hotel renovations are ongoing in Bloomsbury.

I saw many stylish shops on the Brick Lane, where many Bangladeshi immigrants live.

 

Stations such as Liverpool Street Station, King's Cross Station, and Westminster Underground Station have been renovated and are now clean.

Redevelopment over the past decade reflects London's prosperity. Meanwhile, there are many news reports of regional decline in the UK. I also thought of the issues that are invisible from here, such as the disparity between London and other areas.

 

When I visited London last year for the first time in about five years, I was struck by the increase in bicycle use. This trend appears to be accelerating.

I saw numerous rental bike parking lots in various locations, including near the Bank of England in the City.

On Westminster Bridge, electric garbage collection vehicles and bicycles were traveling side by side.

 

The EU flag was rarely seen in London. The distinction between the UK and EU member states (Germany, France, and Belgium) was clear. The Financial Times building held a EU flag and was one of the few exceptions.

Many analyses suggest that Brexit has brought negative effects for the UK economy. More British believe that Brexit was a failure, according to recent opinion poll.

 

However, with the increasing trend toward cashless shopping, I, as a tourist, rarely felt the division between the EU and the UK due to currency. The exhibits at the Bank of England's Currency Museum, which I visited, also emphasized the advancement of digitalization and a cashless society.