2.5.5. Urban Policies: London Docklands Urban Development Corporations

Question 1

Location and context:

Answer 1

• Set up in 1981 to improve the social, environmental and economic problems that has developed in the area that was once one of the world’s busiest ports
• The area had been in decline since the 1950s as larger ships could no longer access the port
• There were high rates of unemployment, back to back terraced housing fell into disrepair and there was a lack of transport and leisure facilities
• It was the Dockland’s close proximity to the City of London that made it an attractive secondary office location

Question 2

Why was it needed?

Answer 2

• Loss of the docks due to containerisation which led to a loss of 30,000 jobs in the area between 1970 and 1980, with a particularly big loss in the men that worked in the shopping industry. This meant unemployment was at 21%.
• During the 1950s and 60s, tower blocks were built to replace bomb damaged homes after the war and were now commonly used as state housing with high levels of crime and deprivation
• There were inadequate transport links by both rail and road so people didn’t invest in the areas as it wasn’t easily accessible

Question 3

Employment changes made as a result of the LDDC

Answer 3

• Low rent attracted a number of high-tech and financial firms, including the Limehouse ITV studies and The Guardian and Daily Telegraph newspapers

Question 4

Housing changes made as a result of the LDDC

Answer 4

• The area has experienced gentrification as many former warehouses have been transformed into luxury flats
• Low cost housing has also been built along with renovation of older council-owned properties

Question 5

Leisure changes made as a result of the LDDC

Answer 5

• A large shopping centre was constructed close to Canary Wharf
• A number of parks have been created where buildings once stood
• The Millenium Dome was built (now the O2)

Question 6

Transport changes made as a result of the LDDC

Answer 6

• The London Docklands now has its own railway: the Dockland Light Railway connects Bank and Monument underground stations which make travel into the City of London very easy

Question 7

Was the regeneration successful?

Answer 7

• The Docklands now contains some of the world’s biggest banks including HSBC, Barclays and Merril Lynch Bank -> a run down dying industrial area has been transformed into one of the most thriving financial hubs in the world
• There is now 14 million square feet of office and retail space
• Many buildings include a canteen and gym -> “24 hour lifestyle” leading to urban resurgence
• In the year 2000, only 28,000 people worked there compared to 105,000 now
• The old run down docks have been transformed into a thriving shopping area and a place for businesses to set up their HQs
• Thousands of job opportunities for young professionals with higher level education have been created - urban resurgence, gentrification
• Development of the tertiary and quaternary sector -> gentrification
• The area has also become a popular tourist attraction, particularly after the building of shopping centres, cafes and places for leisure

Question 8

Counterarguments

Answer 8

• Some of the original inhabitants are not unable to afford to live in the area
• Most of the jobs in the high-tech industries are unsuitable for unemployed dock workers
• Therefore there is a divide in the area between the rich and poor -> social inequality
• Many people believe there are insufficient services for people that live in the are e.g. care for the elderly