During a Question Time interview in 2016, then-Mayor
of London Boris Johnson responded to claims relating to a threat in the loss of green spaces in London. Johnson claims
that paradoxically, London has more green spaces than any
other European city, so we should instead focus on how we
can “improve and upgrade our [existing] green spaces by in-
vesting in parks, in planting trees and generally improving
the amenities and quality of life of Londoners”1. Johnson also
argues that when there is a small loss of green space to building development, they are restored in another area such as
the case study into Daubeney Gardens in Chapter 3. Even
so, this ‘masterplan’ would only be valid for the next decade, if not for the next five years, however does not challenge the
future in 100 years’ time.
URBAN COMMON SPACES THROUGH ROOF GARDENS London is facing an unprecedented rise in concerns for urban
common spaces to be built permanently as areas for improving one’s mental health and physical wellbeing. According to
SciELO, Alves d.S Junior stated that urban common spaces
within a city often takes the form of either a “public space, space produced by the state, space appropriated by groups
or collectives, or spaces for political action”2. Public common
spaces alone range from arcades, food markets, parks to so-
2
