Admire Quote by Norman Foster
“Joseph Bazalgette created a sewer system which he originally sized for London's needs of the time - he then doubled it to anticipate the future beyond. These are the qualities that I admire.”
About This Quote
Source Historical: London sewer system design, 1850s by Joseph Bazalgette
Bazalgette intentionally over‑engineered the sewers, building capacity for future growth rather than just current demand.
In simple terms: He built bigger than needed to prepare for tomorrow.
Key Takeaway
Plan beyond present needs.
Themes
vision
infrastructure
future‑proofing
public health
engineering
Mood
pragmatic
optimistic
Type
advisory
inspirational
When to use this quote
- city planning
- public works
- environmental policy
- long‑term investment
Key Concepts
Systems design
capacity planning
urban resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance foresight with cost efficiency?
- What risks arise from under‑estimating future demand?
A Different Perspective
Over‑building can waste resources if growth is overestimated.
