Archbishop of Canterbury: Church has key role in London's future

The Archbishop of Canterbury says the Church has a key role to play in the future of London, and cities across the UK and the world.

Justin Welby was speaking today alongside politicians, planners, theologians and developers at Lambeth Palace for the launch of From Battersea to the Barrier.

The initiative seeks to use the "Church's history, lived experience and rootedness in community to bear" on the future of London – and particularly the riverside area in the heart of the city.

Welby said, "The Church of England has a unique perspective on development... The Church has been passionate about the city... In deep concern for the welfare of the city – considering what a good city looks like."

The Archbishop drew attention to the ways in which the Church is already working hard to make London a better place to live. "Churches of all sorts and shapes and sizes work on food banks, rough sleeping, picking up the sorrows and suffering of those where the safety net has not caught them," he said.

"There's no one perspective on what makes a good city but there's a shared understanding of human flourishing and the common good... I hope we actually have a creative and imaginative view of what brings us together... the arts... the creative spirit, local government, central government."

He said his vision for London was, "A global city of enormous significance, not only as the centre of world finance, for good or ill at times, but because people will look to it and say 'here is the kind of city we dream of.'"

Welby was joined by a plethora of experts at the event. When asked by Christian Today to comment on whether the housing crisis might wreck the chances of seeing a 'good city,' developer Rob Tincknell said it was a, "Very valid point. Houses in central London have became very expensive... The only way we'll get those house prices down... is to actually build more. It is a real challenge."

Others focused on the issues presented by London being so big and powerful compared the rest of the country. Sir Edward Lister, Deputy Mayor of London pointed out that London and the home counties produce half of the country's GDP. "You can't just keep on taking," he said, "you need everything else, the rest of the country."

You can visit the project's website here.