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May 16, 2012
Hosting the Olympic games is a major undertaking, but we already knew that. An often-underestimated part of the contract is actually dealing with the Olympic aftermath. What to do with the giant water-polo section or the warm up tracks and security zones that make the Olympic park so disposable? What to do now that the city’s lost all of its silver, gold and bronze?
The first major phase of the Olympic Park reconstruction is set to happen one year after the 2012 London Olympic games takes place. Workers will have to get their combat trousers out to tackle such a major task. The plans for this transformation have just been released and the proposed completion will no doubt be a great addition to the area.
Construction on the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stratford is set to start in October 2012, announced the London Legacy Development Corporation just the other day. It is predicted that there will be 18 months worth of development thereafter.
The Park will be split into a more rural river valley north of the stadium and an urban estate in the South. The development will not completely wipeout every inch of the Olympic Park and scores of painters trousers will be donned as the construction strives to preserve its legacy by keeping the stadium and a few other satellite sporting venues for further use, such as the Hockey Turfs, set to Host the European Championships in 2015. Much of the work will take place around existing developments, for example the aquatics centre, to create the South Plaza that lies on the other side of the North Park, which is more eco-centric, with a large greenbelt/playground.
Temporary transport infrastructure will be redeveloped with intention to practically connect roads, bridges and foot and cycle paths between the Olympic Park and surrounding areas.
May 9, 2012
The 2012 London mayoral election were held on Thursday the 3rd of May and was won for the second consecutive time by Boris Johnson of the Conservative Party. Apart from the other logistical and political aspect Johnson has do tackle, there has been a significant shift in opinion that the new or current elected mayor needs to focus on affordable housing in London.
According to many estate agents with real estate such as Fitzrovia property as well as other properties across London say that the elected mayor needs to focus heavily on affordable housing schemes and developments for the people in London, UK. People in the property sector believe the person elected to office needs to ensure that more is done to help people in the capital find a home which is both suitable for their needs and also not too heavy on their pockets. This opinion has arisen also due to the fact that London property prises are soaring but this is dominated primarily by only a few certain areas in the capital.
London has become the “property capital of the world”, but many people are being priced out of the market in certain regions by investments from overseas buyers. This has been further elevated due to the upcoming Olympic Games. Affordable housing needs to be a prominent real estate issue focussed on and the mayor needs to recognise the importance of each sector in London and not just the ones flourishing in terms of real estate investments.
There is an obvious shortage of affordable housing within London and this needs to be addressed by mayor Boris Johnson as well as the restrictions in mortgage lending which is another key problem faced by Londoners at present. This has been highlighted by many players in the real estate business from Paddington estate agents to central London agents.
April 21, 2011
Recently details for the newest addition to Bayswater Estate were release. It is to be the biggest housing project that the area has seen in many years. Residents can now have their say over how they would like the development to look so that it fits in well with the other Bayswater estates.
It is the largest undeveloped site that has been zoned for residential use within the city. Estate agents Bayswater are convinced that the development of this housing estate will have a massive impact on the shortage of homes in the area.
The current plans for the site show that Bayswater real estate developers intend to build 1200 houses, some of which will face onto Barton Village Road and the ring road. Both of these will then be subject to reduced speed limits and there are plans for a new park alongside Bayswater Brook in the estate.
There have also been suggestions for a new primary school, shops and community and recreation facilities. While the central London properties that will be developed in the Bayswater development, real estate agents say that these will be mixed type home but with a focus on family dwellings.
From May, residents will also be able to have their say as to what should go on the land, such as building a supermarket, and keeping or relocating the recreation ground. A spokesperson for the development sys that Bayswater estate agents and residents have been very impressed with the initial plans, with huge support for the proposed supermarket. This will mean that residents will not have to leave the Bayswater estate and struggle to find space in a car park or in the street when they need to do their shopping.
Plans should be passed soon and the developers are hoping that everything for the creation of the new Bayswater Estate will go smoothly.
November 1, 2010
The festive season is on its way and there are plenty of Christmas parties being planned. You want to enjoy this occasion to the fullest, which doesn’t include getting arrested for drunk driving. Taxi services provide a safer way to travel from venue to venue and will get you home safely. You needn’t worry about your designated driver being over the legal alcohol limit again.
While taxi services Cape Town are considered quite expensive at an average of R10 per kilometre, it is the safest way to travel if you don’t have a car, especially at night. All you need to do is phone the number of the taxi cab service centre and tell them when and where to collect you, and your private taxi will be ready and waiting to drive you to your Christmas party, business meeting, coffee date or even take you on a tour of the city if you so desire. However, if you want to do a tour it is advisable that you contact the taxi service company beforehand and negotiate a set rate for the entire trip rather than paying per kilometre. Certain companies also offer airport taxi services which takes the hassle (and expense) out of parking at the airport.
If you require a cheap taxi service then enquire whether or not the company offers a “share service” where other passengers are collected and dropped off en route, and share the cost of the journey. Alternatively, arrange to travel with your friends to the Christmas party so that you not only share the cost of the ride, but travel in good company as well. Taxi services are the way to travel this Christmas.
Whether you require a taxi service in Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town, there are plenty of reputable companies who will get you to your Christmas party safely. Make use of taxi services and travel smart this festive season. Happy holidays!
June 17, 2010
Last month, broadcaster, writer and political icon Oona King announced her intention to contend with Ken Livingstone for the Labour Party’s nomination for Mayor of London. Yesterday Ms King announced her policies on London housing. She believes that meeting the need for affordable London housing is an urgent matter.
Although the new government has been upbeat about the London housing situation, experts predict the crisis will only get worse as the supply of London housing drops and the population increases. Oona King is determined to work towards preventing the worsening of the London housing crisis and the effects that come with it, such as overcrowding and poor living conditions.
The Guardian quoted Ms King as saying: “You can only get housing in London if you are very, very rich or very, very poor.” It is certainly difficult for London residents without a high income to rent London housing of quality; while a residential property fund can be a great way to invest in London housing, it is not always affordable, and residential properties carry a heavy tax penalty as SIPP investments. Despite the sudden influx of foreign investment in prime central London property, the market is struggling when it comes to property for the middle income earner. Another common problem is that Londoners taking up low-paying jobs lose a significant portion of their London housing benefit, meaning they can end up financially worse off than if they had no job at all. Experts continue to paint a bleak picture for property investment London and the state of the London housing market.
At a poorly-attended but well-received launch, Oona King announced her commitment to working collaboratively with borough leaders in London towards increasing the supply of affordable London housing. Her supporters feel that her approachable nature and natural warmth will count in her favour against rival Ken Livingstone, although the mother-of-two has yet to start drawing the crowds Livingstone does. Addressing the pressing problem of London housing is sure to win her the support, or at least the attention, of many Londoners living in unsatisfactory conditions. I’ll certainly be watching her campaign with interest in the coming months!
The City of Cape Town has recently announced that it will be building scores of affordable housing across the city and in the more affluent suburbs around Cape Town.