Open House Festival

Energy and Sustainability through time: King's Cross

walk/tour

Outside Black Sheep Coffee, Unit 2, Kings Cross Square, Euston Rd

Join this walking tour to explore London's energy history and its impact on sustainability. Visit the King's Cross canals to see old and new infrastructure. Topics include London's carbon footprint, quantifying health benefits from green infrastructure, and the role of the built environment in meeting the net zero targets. Discover how London’s past has shaped its sustainable future.

Getting there

Tube

King's Cross St. Pancras

Train

King's Cross, St. Pancras

Bus

17, 205, 390, 46, 476

Additional travel info

The tour will end at the Battle Bridge Place, outside of the German Gymnasium restaurant

Access

Facilities

Accessibility notes

Public toilets are located in Coal Drops Yard

What you can expect

We will be stopping by Camley Street Natural Park, which has some benches and toilets nearby

About

About the tour

The tour will explain the history of the energy industry in London, and how it has affected London’s sustainable strategy as we know it today. The Industrial Revolution, although detrimental to the environment, was a necessary and important step to pave the way for sustainable infrastructure that is shaping London’s image as one of the most ‘livable’ and ‘sustainable’ cities today. We will cover the history of London through its environmental journey, comparing architecture, energy production, and building materials in the 19th century and earlier to nowadays. We will explore the following questions and more:
Can London ever abate its historical carbon footprint? (and does it have to?)
How can you quantify health benefits from green infrastructure?
What role do buildings play in helping the UK reach its net zero targets?

About the guide

Anastasia previously worked as an environmental economist at a consulting firm, where she focused on developing sustainable strategies for cities. Although she has since moved into a different field, she continues to pursue her passion for sustainability in the built environment. Based in East London, Anastasia has a particular interest in the Industrial Revolution, urban regeneration, and sustainable placemaking. She is an alumna of the 2024 Open City Golden Key Academy – a programme that trains insightful and engaging guides to bring London’s many stories to life.
Find out more about the Golden Key Academy here: https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy

Nearby

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