Westmill Solar Park

Westmill Solar Park

Just as with the High Speed 2, UK is also making huge investments into another sector which they feel would make it into a sustainable country: renewable energy. One of the most beautiful things in life is to see people taking initiative and combining resources for something productive. The Westmill Solar Park is one such project which combines both the statements mentioned above. It is said to be the largest community-owned photovoltaic power station in the world.

“Consisting of 30 acres of over 20,000 panels, it provides areliable source of renewable energy, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,800 tons per year and generating enough clean

electricity to power 1,400 homes. Some of the profits go to the community” (KPMG).

(Image credits: Energy Co-ops)

High Speed 2

High Speed 2

UK is a great country which has proved many times that it is very capable of constructing megaprojects effectively. Yes, those projects also experience the same delays and budget constrains as others, but the Kingdom has figured out ways to streamline its operations by having an effective management. One megaproject which is being planned is High Speed 2.

The High Speed 2 would multiple cities in UK such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. Work on Phase One began in 2017, with operations planned to start in 2026, while Phase 2a would start in 2027 and phase 2b starting by 2033. HS2 would be publicly funded for at least the development and construction phase. It is expected to cost at least US$84.4 billion. “Proponents have billed it as the single biggest opportunity for UK economic growth in a generation, reducing travel times, releasing capacity, and better connecting the nation’s capital with the provinces. However, sceptics argue that public money could be better spent on local rail upgrades, with further concerns over environmental damage. The latest estimates suggest that HS2 will return around £2 worth of benefit for every £1 invested” (KPMG).

A map of the proposed project line (Image Credits: Peak Car)

King’s Cross Redevelopment

King’s Cross Redevelopment

“After years of urban decay, London’s King’s Cross district is nearing the end of US$3.2 billion makeover, including the redevelopment of two neighboring Victorian railway stations, one of which now houses the sleek Eurostar service to Paris. The area around King’s Cross is at the center of one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects, which includes space for new offices, shops, leisure facilities and about 2,000 apartments. Judges who were familiar with this formerly decaying part of London marveled at how transformational the work has been” (KPMG).

King’s Cross spreads over 67 acres. There have been many plans for its redevelopment including: a whole series of new public squares and gardens have, among them Granary Square, Lewis Cubitt Park and Square and the new Gasholder Park. At least a third of the site (25 acres/10 hectares) will be dedicated to new public routes and open spaces. Buildings under construction in this zone would typically have storeys in the range of 1-19.

This revitalization of the community is considered to be one of the best in the world. “The 67-acre regeneration scheme is now halfway to completion. By 2020, the site will include 2,000 new homes, a new primary school, 10 public squares, three parks, a lido, 500,000 sq ft of restaurant and retail space, and 3.4m sq ft of office space, including Google’s new UK headquarters” (Financial Times).

A current picture of King's Cross (Image Credits: kingscross.co.uk)