Case study: London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC)

In what year did the Docklands regeneration begin?

1981

How much did the Docklands regeneration cost in total?

£12.8 billion

How much money came from public investment?

£3.9 billion

How much money came from private investment?

£8.9 billion

Why did the Docklands close?

• containerisation

• the docks became too small for modern ships

• the docks had to be relocated

Why did the area need regenerating?

• unemployment rates increased to 14%

• population decreased by 18%

• poor quality, government-owned housing

• inadequate transport links

• derelict land still remained from bomb damage from WW2

• the Docklands were derelict by 1979

• decreased quality of life

• increased crime rates

What were the Docklands like before the regeneration?

• 83,000 jobs lost between 1961 and 1971

• containerisation

• negative multiplier effect

• population decline in Tower Hamlets

• quality of life declined

What are the Docklands like after the regeneration?

• increased amount of open space (150 hectares)

• ecology park created with cycle routes and 20,000 trees

• unemployment rates halved from 14% to 7%

• 2,700 independent businesses created

• DLR (Docklands Light Railway) built in 1987

• £10 million spent on social housing

• £100 million spent on education, healthcare, and job training

How many independent businesses were created as a result of the regeneration?

2,700 independent businesses

What were the key employment characteristics of the LDDC?

• halved unemployment to 7%

• 120,000 jobs created in Canary Wharf

• 2,700 independent businesses created

• growth in tertiary sector jobs due to increase in office space

• cheaper to rent space in the Docklands compared to the City (e.g., HSBC Corporate HQ is located in the Docklands)

• more than 70% of the 1,000+ jobs created at London City Airport are filled by people who live within a 5-mile radius of it

• new business district

How many jobs were created in Canary Wharf as a result of the regeneration?

120,000 jobs

What were the key housing characteristics of the LDDC?

• 55,000 new homes built

• £10 million spent on social housing

• 28% reduction in number of council-owned homes

• worked to increase the number of affordable houses

• community-built housing

How many new homes were built as a result of the regeneration?

55,000 new homes

How much money was spent on social housing?

£10 million

What were the key transport characteristics of the LDDC?

• DLR (Docklands Light Railway), with a stop at London City Airport

• London City Airport offered flights to nearby European cities and created over 4,000 jobs

• new roads built

• Docklands Highway Network

• Jubilee Line tube extension

How many jobs were created by the London City Airport?

4,000+ jobs

What were the key environmental characteristics of the LDDC?

• 200,000 trees planted

• bicycle parks

• water sport facilities (e.g., Royal Victoria Docks Water Sports Centre)

How many trees were planted as a result of the regeneration?

200,000 trees

How was the area regenerated?

• the government established a UDC (Urban Development Corporation) with powers to make rapid planning decisions

• the LDDC received government grants and tax relief

• the area was controlled by the local authority, private investors, and other bodies

What were some negative consequences of the regeneration?

• displacement of existing communities

• locals feared that outsiders would take the new jobs and leave them nothing