London must ensure it is a leading player in the “megacity spectrum”, according to former George Bush adviser and DRPM Group founder Pippa Malmgren.
Pro-Brexit Malmgren made the comment on a panel of industry heavyweights at Estates Gazette’s London Question Time event at the BBC Television Centre in White City.
She added: “This is a world city and the world comes here to do business.”
Malmgren said that in the face of political uncertainty, she felt optimistic: “The worst thing is fear; there is so much fear and what I see, as an economist, is hope for optimism. There is room for unbelievable innovation in the world economy.”
James Murray, London deputy mayor, said despite Brexit-related caution, London must continue to relay the right messages.
“London is open to investment – we just need to make sure London is not becoming more closed as a city. London being open is central to the message we promote,” he said.
The delegates also discussed the importance of housing the capital’s growing population, connectivity and how technology will shape the buildings of tomorrow.
Savills head of UK research Mat Oakley said there was increasing acceptance that “we haven’t dropped off the edge of a cliff”.
He added: “I think we’ve probably gone back into the state of slight optimism. It will probably slip a few moments, but next year looks reasonably stable to us.”
Echoing the positive sentiments, Television Centre managing director Alistair Shaw said his greatest hope for 2017 was for the industry to “stop moaning and get on with life”.
Watch the full debate
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