Brick Lane - Contrasting Place - Case Study

What is the location of Brick Lane?

• in the London borough of Tower Hamlets

• runs from Swanfield Street (in the north of Bethnal Green) through to Whitechapel High Street

• the wider areas is sometimes referred to as Spitalfields and Banglatown like in the census data

What is the locale of Brick Lane?

• known for its curries

• popular location for breweries

• vibrant art and fashion scene

• has a Heugenot church, Methodist chapel, Jewish Synagoge, Muslim Mosque as well as traditional and new shops, restaurants, markets and homes

What is the age demographic of Brick Lane according to 2011 census data?

• notably high proportion in the 20-40 age bracket

• due to the range of jobs available

What is the ethnic makeup of Brick Lane according to 2011 census data?

• 41% of people from Bangladeshi origin (higher than the borough average)

• 41.5% of people are Muslim

• lower percentage of white British residents

• rich ethnic and religious mix due to migration

What is the IMD data for Tower Hamlets?

• one of the most deprived areas in the country

• relative improvement from 2010, less areas in the most deprived 10% in England by 2015

• on the list of 32 most deprived local authorities

What % of people in Spitalfields and Banglatown Ward have no qualifications?

15%

How has the demography of Brick Lane changed due to migration over time?

17th century - influx of French Heugenots

19th and 20th centuries - known for Irish and Jewish population

Recently - popular place for Bangladeshi immigrants which has changed Brick Lane significantly (Banglatown)

How has gentrification impacted Brick Lane?

• anti gentrification protests in and around Spitalfields September 2015 (Cereal killer cafe)

Examples of conflict in Brick Lane?

The Battle of Cable Street, 1936

• In the 1930’s the Jewish community of East London found itself under the hateful glare of Oswal Mosley, Head of the Union of Fascists.

  • At the time the Jewish community ranks made up nearly 90% of the East End population; living in dire conditions they came to in pursuit of a better life

  • Despite their empty pockets Mosley and his right leaning comrades blamed Jewish migrants for the mass unemployment of the 1930s.

  • On the 4th October 1936, Mosley and the buff organised a march on East London’s Cable Street to gain support for the fascist aim. Instead they were met by thousands of Irish dock workers, socialists, and orthodox jews to oppose their aims.

  • Fights broke out in the streets

70s

• local Asian residents experiencing race related violence from neo-fascist groups in the 70s and 80s

• Violence towards the Bengali community.

Present

• 2013 saw Brick Lane reunite to defend its citizens from hate.

  • The EDL attempted to march through Banglatown to gain attention for their anti-immigration platform.

  • The community once again fill the streets in protest. They were joined by other races and political parties.

• gentrification in the last 10-20 years, protests in 2015, involving local residents including the Bangladeshi community

Crime and Corruption - 19th century

Crime and corruption are imbedded in Brick Lane’s history

19th century

• Old Nickel Residence became notorious for its slum-like conditions. Located north of Brick Lane it was a popular hangout for prostitutes, burglars and thieves.

  • When there was a breakout of syphilis they knocked down the Old Nickel Residences, meaning that young children were out on the streets and didn’t live very long as when the pimps got to them they were likely dead.

• At the opposite end of the lane at the intersection with Church Street the 10 Bells Pub allegedly became a notorious hangout for Jack the Ripper

  • It is believed that he met 2 of his victims there.

• Church street was renames Fournier Street recalling its French past and casting off its ties to Jack the Ripper.

Crime and Corruption - 20th century

20th century

• In the 1950s Brick Lane became the playground of East End gangsters, Ronnie and Reggie Cray, twins who became famous worldwide for their racketeering violent outbursts and illegal activities

Crime and Corruption - present day

Present day

• The area still struggles with crime; consisting of drug dealing, prostitution and huge fights (which cannot be controlled by the police)

• Parents with young children are concerned about the safety in this area.

• In the 80s prostitution was still a big problem as the market was still there with truck and lorry drivers from all over England.

What was the key event that triggered the wave of protests demanding police protection?

• young Bengali man named Altar Ali was stabbed to death near Brick Lane

What was the race related conflict in Brick Lane and who was involved?

• late 1970s, race related attacks in the Asian community.

• institutional racism and street level violence

• the council fitted flats with fire proof letter boxes to prevent arson attacks on Bangladeshi homes

• the National Front were active in the area (nationalist and racist, far right political group)

What was the race related conflict caused by?

Change in demographic characteristics

What is happening with gentrification in Brick Lane?

• social housing companies are demolishing flats and replacing them with more upmarket properties to sell for profit

• raising rent prices and pricing young local residents, including young Bangladeshis, out of the area

Why are some people in favour of the gentrification?

• they are able to sell properties they've bought for high prices and move out to other places

Why are some people against the gentrification?

• some businesses (those targeted at the Bangladeshi community) are moving away

• sadness at loss of community

• change in cultural characteristics

• loss of art, culture and community spirit

Flows of people in Brick Lane?

• demographic: series of migration over time, French Huguenots, Irish, Jews, Bangladeshis

• gentrification is meaning some lower income groups are forced out

• cultural: change in building usage (Jamme Masjid mosque, loss of original culture)

Flows of money and Investment in Brick Lane?

Demographic change:

• gentrification by individuals to bring money to the local economy. Some groups/locals being forced out

Cultural change:

• businesses have changed, different ethnic food shops moving out

• art and culture being flattened

• On 2nd January 1993 Tracy and Sarah Lucas sold cheaply improvised artistic wears, bringing a flood of wealth and cash to the area.

Flows of ideas in Brick Lane?

Cultural Change:

• foods, restaurants established by different migrants

• well known Bagel shop (Jewish culture) and curries (Bangladeshi culture)

• Home to the curry industry, turning over up to £4 billion /year.

The architecture of Brick Lane

The architecture of Brick Lane was as a result of evolution in the East London industry.

Its name Brick Lane came from the clay pits that once occupied the north end of the street where city builders flocked for cheap bricks in the 16th century.

When the Huguenots arrived, residences were built to meet the needs of the weaving trade.

• Spacious, light filled lofts allowed the weavers to see their spindles and looms clearly while they worked.

Houses that were built for the textile industry prior to the industrial revolution then fell into disrepair at the start of the industrial revolution due to the mechanisation of the industry. The houses were never touched and so we still have a lot of the original features

Art in Brick Lane

Graffiti

There is great debate between the residents of Brick Lane as the the introduction of graffiti to local artwork.

• The older generation see it as a defacement to local properties. Decorative banality.

  • The newer generation see it as an expression of their own experiences and way to put their names on heritage and on the heritage of the area. It is a product of the environment.

Brick Lane Now

• Anonymity has now been made harder.

• It is now more gentrified.

• Retaining of old features of buildings