In December of 1952, a cold weather system descended on London and caused a buildup of factory smog so severe that visibility was reduced to just a few feet. Now known as the Great Smog of 1952, the event forced London officials to finally take steps to alleviate the city’s ongoing air-pollution problems. Since then, London has made sweeping reforms that have significantly improved the city’s air quality. London’s air quality might be a whole lot better than it was in the 1950’s, but there’s still room for improvement. City officials estimate that roughly 9,400 premature deaths happen every year… Read more »
Tag: London
London’s Fancy New Buses Finally Getting Windows That Open
England’s Capital city has long been known for its iconic red double-decker buses, and in 2012 the fleet began undergoing a serious facelift. Over the course of the past three years, London has been phasing in its “New Routemaster” buses that boast a hybrid diesel-electric design and improved comfort and accessibility features. The buses’ striking good looks come courtesy of acclaimed English designer Thomas Heatherwick. Alright, so the New Routemasters sure do look good, but they haven’t been without their issues. Their hybrid engines have been criticized for being inefficient And some Londoners have even questioned the safety of the… Read more »