News to me: besides having a Congestion Charge zone, London also has a Low Emission Zone

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in the Capital to become cleaner. The LEZ covers most of Greater London. To drive within it without paying a daily charge these vehicles must meet certain emissions standards that limit the amount of particulate matter (a type of pollution) coming from their exhausts.

The low emission zone started operating on 4 February 2008 with phased introduction of an increasingly stricter regime until 3 January 2012, and as shown below, covers pretty much all of metropolitan London (the congestion charge zone is shaded orange).

The LEZ is monitored using Automatic Number Plate Reading Cameras to record number plates checking vehicles against the records of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to enable Transport for London to pursue owners of vehicles for which the charge has not been paid.

It would come as little surprise to my reader that I am a proponent of the London Low Emission Zone; much like the congestion zone, the low emission zone prices (ever so bluntly) an externality: particulate matter which is being dumped into the air by commercial vehicles. A charge both prices in this externality and will drive innovation to reduce vehicle emissions.

I also love the graphic sensibility of the advertising and communication on their website and in collateral, examples shown below.

Olympics Brand Exclusion Zone

In urban design, exclusion zones are becoming commonplace in relation to sponsorship of sporting events. The Brand Exclusion Zone is the newest form of urban demarcation, and can be used not only to affect signage and advertising, but also restrict personal freedom of choice. Within this context, the London 2012 Olympics represents one of the most radical restructuring of the rights of the city in London. The ‘canvas’ of London will belong exclusively to the Olympic marquee brands.

In essence, London has abdicated all rights and responsibilities to the International Olympic Committee, and implemented legislation which creates radical new spatial demarcations not only within the Olympic Park, but because of the distributed nature of the Olympic venues, across the whole of central London. London has surrendered the traditional rights to the city to the demands of the Olympic ‘family’ and their corporate paymasters. What the IOC want, London will give. London will be on brand lockdown.

via Kosmograd: Olympics Brand Exclusion Zone.

This is horrible: there really isn’t more to say about the continual erosion of the public sphere to private commerce. The Olympics has, and continue to be an excuse to market products with a thin veneer of athletic competition as an afterthought.

Also note the O2 Arena, shown above, will be called the North Greenwich Arena. Something I’m sure O2 is thrilled about.

British Design Classics stamps by Royal Mail

How did I miss this? In 2009 the UK Royal Mail issued a set of eight British Design Classics stamps featuring excellent photography by Jason Tozer. I wouldn’t mind having these set of stampe, or really all ten of these items in my possession.