Londonis one of the biggest , busiest city on Earth . The 2000 - year - old metropolis is base to modern skyscraper , historic architecture , and more than 8.6 million resident spread across 33 boroughs . But if London city manager Sadiq Khan has his path , the UK upper-case letter ’s reputation as a strictly urban nitty-gritty will shortly change . As theIndependentreports , London has elected to be the world ’s first - ever National Park City .
The championship National Park City may sound like an oxymoron ; national parks are often natural areas protected from human development . But a raw opening from theNational Park City Foundationcalled the International Charter for National Park Cities ( NPC ) aims to employ many of the same qualities of internal parks — like well - manage green infinite , clean air , and various wildlife — to the world ’s large cities .
On Monday , July 22,Mayor Khanannounced that London would be the first city to sign on . He said in atweet : " A cleaner , green London is central to my imaginativeness for our metropolis — and we ’re pick out bold action to check people , places are nature are substantially join . "

The primary fashion city official plan to achieve that goal is by adding more unripened infinite . London is already 33 percent light-green public space [ PDF ] . By connecting public green , impart green roofs to existing buildings , and expand private backyard and gardens , the city will work to reach 50 percent greenish place by 2050 . Not only would the new instinctive area improve the quality of life of London ’s house physician , but they would also support the city ’s animal population , which includes 15,000 species today .
London is the first of what the National Park City Foundation hopes will be many city to connect the charter . The end is to bring 25 city on display panel by 2025 , with Newcastle - upon - Tyne and Glasgow already in talks to gain National Park City status .
[ h / tIndependent ]