Underground as City Maker: London Versus Paris, 1863-2013. (1st November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hall, Peter
• Is Part Of: London journal. Volume 38:Number 3(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2013-11-01
• Subjects: Mega-city region -- Métro -- RER -- Suburbanization -- Underground; London (England) -- History -- Periodicals; London (England) -- Civilization -- Periodicals; 942.1005
• DOI: 10.1179/0305803413Z.00000000029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-8034

Abstract

Abstract : The London Underground and Paris Métro were very different conceptions, with major impacts on the cities' development. The Underground almost immediately worked to promote suburban decentralization, while the Métro remained locked inside the city boundaries until well after World War II, inhibiting suburban growth. The Réseau Express Régional served the suburbs after 1970, but it plays a role more like the London Underground than a true regional express network. Meanwhile, London has grown into a vast polycentric mega-city region, extending out for up to 140 km from the capital.