I flew back to the UK a couple of days ago and I must say that I am liking what I see. No, it’s not just the high availability of fish and chip shops and decent beer (of which I have only ever so slightly partaken!). I’m referring to the level of eco-consciousness that appears to be penetrating Brit culture. Even the vibrant pink make-up bag that my 8 year got from Father Christmas yesterday had a tag on it asking to ‘recycle when you’re finished with me’. Now it looks like the country’s eco-initiatives are extending to one of London’s most prominent and iconic mobile landmarks – the double decker bus.

The London Transportation Department recently held a contest to redesign the iconic Double Decker bus and, after wading through more than 700 entries, the winning entries were chosen to be a streamlined space-capsule bus, designed by car-maker Aston Martin and architect Lord Foster, and a Fiftiesstyle vehicle by bus designer Capoco. The remit was to create a zero-emissions, super accessible, and environmentally innovative double decker bus that heralds a new era of sustainable public transportation for London.

Some features include wooden floors, reconstituted leather upholstery, panoramic views, and naturally, a glazed roof that incorporates solar cells to generate energy and filter heat and daylight. Of course, the double decker’s classic red colour will remain.

The winning designs will be passed on to bus manufacturers to develop into a final design. Transport for London expects to award a contract to build the first new bus for London towards the end of next year, with the first of the vehicles on the streets by 2011.

Hopefully other major metropolitan cities will take a leaf out of London’s book and follow suit…