ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the scope, aim, and the overall argument of the book. Making a case for a twofold critique of London’s towering cityscape that involves, first, a critique of the construction of more and more speculative towers in the city, and, second, a critique of the claim that these towers ruin London’s historic cityscape, this chapter argues against conservative city-making practices, in which value conservatism and economic liberalism are successfully aligned. Distinguishing between radical political images and conservative representations of the city, this chapter sets out to explore the skyline as a space for radical urban politics.
