Following World War II, London was presented with an opportunity to amend the perceived failings of unplanned and haphazard development that had occurred as a result of rapid industrialisation in the nineteenth century.
A series of four rings were outlined (Inner Urban, Suburban, Green Belt and Outer Country) in order to control development and limit sprawl into regional areas.
The 'Inner Urban Ring' restricted any new housing or industrial development that were deemed to be above the limit of tolerable conditions, whilst reconstructing damaged buildings in a modern interpretation of their original state.
The 'Outer Country Ring' would support farmland whilst containing a number of satellite towns that would help to relocate large populations away from the overcrowded areas of central London.
Employment opportunities were to be located in proximity to dwellings in order to allow the formation of a labour pool, yet not so close that it would adversely effect the surrounding populations.
[1] The development of open spaces was of high importance to Abercrombie in the Greater London Plan, recreation was seen as an essential part of life.
[3] Abercrombie acknowledges that London is far too dense to provide an appropriate level of open space for each resident, so it is proposed that improved transport will allow every inhabitant access to recreational areas outside of their immediate neighbourhood.
The economic climate in Britain during the post war era simply did not allow for major infrastructure development on the scale that Abercrombie had suggested.
Even though a gradualist, Geddesian style approach was suggested, Abercrombie may not have considered the minimal impact that one visionary can have on an ancient, complex and ever growing city such as London.