Brick Lane Flashcards
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 Huguenot church, Methodist chapel, Jewish Synagogue, 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)
Lower percentage of white British residents; 40% compared to national average of 81%
Rich ethnic and religious mix due to migration
Religious makeup of Brick Lane according to 2011 census data?
41.5% Muslim
21.1% no religion
18.4% Christian
16% not stated
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% tower Hamlets compared to 9.9% across London and 11.3% nationwide (2011 statistics)
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 did people react to gentrification in Brick Lane?
Anti gentrification protests in and around Spitalfields September 2015
The protests attacked a café called Cereal killer café.
2 examples of conflict in Brick Lane?
Local Asian residents experiencing race related violence from neo-fascist groups in the 70s and 80s
Gentrification in the last 10-20 years, protests in 2015, involving local residents including the Bangladeshi community
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
How is gentrification affecting housing 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 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
