London Dockands Flashcards
Where to in the docklands was particularly affected
Isle of Dogs in a big meander
What part of London is the docklands
Central business district
Some historical facts about the docklands - 1690s
By the 1690s the docklands site had been chosen to be established as a port for Londons global trade due to the tower bridge which stopped larger vessels from passing further downstream
The docklands employed a large number of people which provided jobs in the area and these workers lived close by, there was also use of migrant workers too as the docks became prosperous for global trade
Dock workers weren’t rich, houses built back to back
Whole generations worked at the docks
Historical facts - 1900s
During the Second World War, the docklands were bombed heavily
Many houses destroyed
Initially there were slums, then large tower block flats for people to live in
1970s and after
Containisation slowed economic growth rapidly as large container ships coudknt fit up the narrow canals
Docklands went into a massive decline - no ships , no jobs , no money
High unemployment
1980s
Derived area but with a strong local east end community
The LDDC (London docklands development cooperation) set up in 1981 - aimed to :
1. Economically regenerate the area through attracting private investment
2.to physically regenerate the environment (buildings look nicer, transport and improve what it looks like)
3.to improve living conditions and prospects of the community (make life better for people QOL)
Improved transport links
Transport links massively improved - tubes busses and the docklands light railway
New roads built to get in and out
New airport- London city airport
What attracted businesses
Low taxes and cheap land drove private investment into the docklands from foreign and domestic companies which made their headquarters in the docklands - transforming it into a financial district for the UK
Local opposition
Most new jobs went to people living outside the area, as local people didn’t have the technical skills
More money spent on expensive offices and houses rather than services such as hospitals and care for the elderly
Wealthy newcomers caused local ships and recreational prices to rise
New homes were too expensive for locals to buy - forced people to move out
Newcomers didn’t mix with the local east end community causing a breakdown of the historic culture
Regeneration and gentrification - Transport
Docklands light railway
Improved links - central london can be reached in 10 minutes
The jubilee underground extension gives improved access to London mainline station - direct links with Waterloo
Road improvements
The new city airport was built between the two docks
Regeneration and gentrification - employment
Financial and high tech firms were attracted to the enterprise zone
Stock exchange, itv studios and daily telegraph made headquarters in the docklands
Firms wished to relocate offices especially in the prestigious Canary Wharf business complex
Regeneration and gentrification - housing
Over 20,000 new homes been created - many of them in former warehouses which have been converted into luxury flats
Newham council has either built low cost housing or upgraded existing housing
Old tower flats blown up and replaced with detached and semi detached housing
Regeneration and gentrification - service and recreation
National indoor sports centre and a marina for water sports opened
Large modern shopping complex
Several areas have been cleared and converted into parks and open areas
The area boasts the largest urban tree planting scheme in the UK
Key successes (social, economic, environmental and political)
SOCIAL - 190,000 jobs created
3,500 housing units built or refurbished
ECONOMIC - the docklands became a large business district - over £12 billion of private sector investment attracted
ENVIRONMENTAL - The largest urban tree planting scheme in the uk. Parks and green areas created less derelict areas so it looked more modern
POLITICAL - Accounted for 40% of all urban regeneration policy expenditure
Bought in multinational investment
Government spent £441 million on the docklands
Key failures (social, economic, environmental and political)
SOCIAL - original east end community didn’t mix with the new affluent demographic and couldn’t afford the new housing as well as rising cost of living ( commodities like bread tripled in price)
ECONOMIC - lost huge money through the purchase of land which later lost money - prices on basic goods and food increased to an extent where original locals couldn’t afford it
ENVIRONMENTAL - Increased traffic and congestion In the area, subsequently causing increased noise pollution and emissions and CO2 production
Destruction of natural habitats in order for development space
POLITICAL - As these urban development corporations had more power than local authorities, they weren’t democratically accountable
No locals were interviewed about the development process
Local council should decide about the investment, not the UDCs (urban development corporations)
Conflict
Cultural and economic changes - shift in demographic altered and disrupted the local close knit community
The docklands became a major business sector - 12 billion pounds of private investment - created a further divide between the poorer original east end community and the affluent newcomers
Locals felt the east end culture had been diluted and they didn’t get on with the new community
Prices of housing and shops increased due to gentrification - locals pushed out of London
Conflict
Cultural and economic changes - shift in demographic altered and disrupted the local close knit community
The docklands became a major business sector - 12 billion pounds of private investment - created a further divide between the poorer original east end community and the affluent newcomers
Locals felt the east end culture had been diluted and they didn’t get on with the new community
Prices of housing and shops increased due to gentrification - locals pushed out of London
