Alec Forshaw

Photography by Alan Ainsworth

The last 25 years or so have witnessed redevelopment in the City of London on an unprecedented scale, following the deregulation of the financial markets, the so-called ‘Big Bang’, in the mid-1980s. As the City has earned its place as a true global financial centre, the majority of its office space has been rebuilt, and developers have taken a more adventurous approach, commissioning such leading British and international architects as Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas, Jean Nouvel and Richard Rogers. New City is the first book to examine in depth the creation of one of the world’s largest collections of cutting-edge architecture – not just the prestigious office blocks that have changed the skyline, but also cultural institutions, retail sites and public spaces. Following an introduction that explores the context for the rebuilding of the City, the main part of the book is divided into 12 concise walk-throughs of the major areas. Authoritatively written by a former urban planner and with all-new photography throughout, this is an indispensable architectural guide for professionals and the public alike.