Land Securities backs Global Cities exhibition

Land Securities, the largest real estate investment trust (REIT) in the UK, is sponsoring an international architecture-themed exhibition at London's Tate Modern gallery. The Global Cities exhibition will highlight the 'growing global influence of the world's mega-cities', Land Securities said in a statement. The exhibition will feature four leading international architectural practices and five artist commissions to 'explore the current characteristics and future prospects of major international urban centres'.

Each artist and architectural practice will exhibit works that explore key themes, such as managing the pace of urban growth, renewing transport infrastructure, addressing climate change and developing social cohesion. The exhibition will present these themes alongside socio-economic and geographic data assembled by the London School of Economics. Global Cities will set London in the context of nine other international mega-cities: Mumbai, India; Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Los Angeles, US; Istanbul, Turkey; Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa; Cairo, Egypt.

Global Cities is sponsored by Land Securities in association with Savills and Derwent London. The exhibition will run from 19 to 27 August 2007. The names of the architects and artists involved in the exhibition will be announced in April.