IEE Power Division: Chairman´s address. 30 years of electrical engineering for London´s local government

The period under review includes the postwar reconstruction, expansion and reorganisation of London, a period of challenge to London´s local government and particularly to the professional engineer who had to initiate and carry through programmes of work in many difficult areas. The shortage of materials and skilled manpower required innovation and acceptance of new methods and revised practices which broke new ground and required new thinking. The expansion programme of house building and schools construction was a particularly challenging one with the rapid introduction of new equipments in audio and visual fields and the attendant operative and maintenance provision. Lighting, lifts and sewerage treatment plants were particularly large commitments together with the design operation and evaluation of a large refuse incinerator at Edmonton. Other public buildings of size to be built in that period included the Royal Festival Hall, the South Bank Arts Centre and Crystal Palace National Recreation Centre. Energy management and the maintenance of existing assets are discussed as being an important part of today´s work load.