CP CS - london docklands regeneration

where are the docklands?

• area in east London

• forms part of the Boroughs of southwark, tower hamlets, Newham and Greenwich.

• formerly the main port of London

• on the river thames in the east of the city

what is the history of the docklands?

• opened around 1805 and continued to grow

• 1940 the docklands were bombed during the blitz causing death and damage

• between 1950-1960s docks were rebuilt and were very prosperous

• after this there was a decline in its use as larger shipping containers were unable to reach the port

when did the docklands officially close?

1981

what were the impacts of the loss of the docklands buisness?

• 20,000 people lost jobs (unemployment rate of nearly 18%)

• poor public transport

• disconnect from rest of the city

• 20% of housing not suitable for living

• 1981 60% derelict or unused

How was poverty caused by the loss of the docklands?

• high levels of unemployment meant less spending and increase in petty crime

• less money being paid to the council

• less money was being invested in housing, education and services

• fewer people with qualifications

cycle repeats

what was the community like after the docklands shut?

despite the deprivation there was a strong community of ‘east enders’

they had been cut off from the city

houses were tightly packed, small and lacking modern amenities, but provided cheap housing for the poorly paid workers

mainly consisted of small stores and corner shops

what are UDCs

urban development cooperations

set up by government in 1980s to regenerate inner city areas with dereliction and unused land by taking over responsibility from councils

have ability to spend public money but private investment should be 5x more

When was the LDDC established?

How long did it operate for?

1981 - london Dockland Development Corporation

1981-1994

what were the 3 main aims of the LDDC?

1. economically regenerate the area by attracting investment from external corporations

2. physically regenerate the environment by making the area look nicer and bring in better transport

3. socially regenerate the area by improving living conditions for the community

what changes occured to employment due to the LDDC?

low rent prices attracted hi-tech financial firms eg. ITV, the telegraph and the guardian newspapers

firms wished to relocate to offices, especially in the canary wharf business complex

what changes occured to housing due to the LDDC?

• 20,000 new homes built - many of which converted from old warehouses into luxury flats

• some tower blocks that were existing prior were knocked down and low rise housing with gardens built in their place

• remaining terraced houses were renovated

what changes occurred to leisure and services due to the LDDC?

• large shopping area constructed near the canary wharf

• national indoor sports center and marina for water sports opened

• number of parks created where building were once stood

• sustainability and greenspaces created (tree planting)

what changes to transport due to the LDDC?

• improved links to central london meaning it could be reached in 10 mins

• docklands light railway (making it easier to commute)

• new city airport built between the 2 docks

• improved roads

what were 3 social success and failures of the development?

successes

• 20,000 new homes

• more facilities in the area

• more security in canary wharf - decrease in crime

failures

• conflicts between locals and newcomers (effected the community)

• few jobs for locals as they lacked the qualifications (19000 jobs created)

• locals were still living in poverty as were unable to afford the luxury housing.

what were the economic success (3) and failures (1) of the development?

successes

• increased number of taxpayers boosts the economy

• cafes turned into bars etc - higher profit businesses

• large businesses moved into the area

failures

• prices on basic foods and necessities went up making is less affordable for locals (prices of bread trippled0

what were 3 environmental success and failures of the development?

successes

• 20000 trees planted

• areas less derelict (more modern in appearance)

• parks and green areas

failures

• increased car usage leaving to more CO2 emissions

• new city airport - increased pollution

• destruction of habitats

what were 2 political success and failures of the development?

successes

• brought multinational investment

• government invested £441 million into the docklands

failures

• no locals opinions were taken into account

• local council should have had some of the decisions in the investment, not UDC’s

how did some locals negatively reacts to the LDDC?

graffiti against the LDDC

• felt that there was a breakdown in the eastenders community

• local people were also not involved in the scheme making them feel more isolated