Designing London: The Landscape Legacy of the Greater London Council, 40 Years On

Call for Papers. Deadline for Abstracts: 6 February 2026

Alton Estate, Roehampton, within the grounds of an eighteenth century country estate designed by Humphry Repton, by the London County Council following Swedish examples

In 1986, the Greater London Council (GLC) was abolished by the government of Margaret Thatcher, marking the end of a powerful era in London’s metropolitan governance. Yet, four decades later, the GLC’s contribution to the design of London’s landscapes—its parks, housing developments, civic spaces, and environmental policies—continues to shape the daily life and character of the capital. This conference marks the 40th anniversary of the GLC’s demise by critically reassessing its role in landscape architecture, urban design, and public policy.

Read call for papers in full here: Designing London: The Landscape Legacy of the Greater London Council, 40 Years On