By 1800, the population of London was 900,000, up from 500,00 in 1700. Within just another century, the population doubled to 2 million in 1900. The large population increase led to crowding in the city and eventually decentralization and counterurbanization. By 1991, the population of Greater London was estimated to be near 11 million, with a concentration of growth in the outer ring suburbs and a total loss of population in the inner city.
Population densities and urbanization of this level were a new experience in London and led to fears of public health and a desire to limit the growth of London. This in turn, led to the development of a London Government
Beth Uittenbogaard