London, my favorite city in the world, has long been one of the greatest cities in the world, but the London of the time when I lived here in the eighties is remarkably different from the London of 2026. During the last forty years, the British capital has undergone some profound changes in its economy, transport, architecture, technology, civic society and culture. While many of its famous landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, are still symbols of British heritage, the city around them has evolved into one of the most diverse, technologically advanced and globally connected cities in the world. One of the most striking changes has been the London skyline. During the ‘80s, the skyline was dominated by historic buildings and very few high-rise structures. The tallest buildings were office blocks in the City of London. Today, however, tall modern skyscrapers such as the Shard, the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie and 22 Bishopsgate have changed the city’s ap-pearance. The regeneration of Canary Wharf has created a second financial district that rivals many international business centers and these developments reflect London’s emergence as one of the world’s leading financial capitals.

The city’s transport system has undergone dramatic improvements. In the ‘80s, the London Under-ground was reliable but........

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