London dockland development Flashcards
London docklands background info
1980s - UK government set up Urban development corporations (UDC’s)
aim was to regenerate inner city areas (Full of derelict and unused land) by taking over the planning responsibility from local councils
attracted private sector employment by offering companies reduced taxes stc - promoting industrial, residential, and community developments
The London Docklands development corporation
19th century - London’s port one of busiest in world
1950s - significant decline, many docks abandoned and derelict due to containerisaiton
led to job losses - decrease in population size ina rea and social, economic, and environmental problems (de-multiplier effect)
1981 - London Docklands development corporaiton (LDDC) set up
Changes to the area 1981-98 - environmental regeneration
17 conservation areas (London’s first bird sanctuary)
200,000 trees planted
network of pedestrian and cycle routes - water side walkways creates access to river and dock edge
Economic regeneration
£7.7 billion in private sector employment
city airport built in former royal docks (500,000+ passengers a year)
unemployment fell - employment and business doubled
social changes
£100 million spent on health, education, job training etc
£10 million spent on improvement council and housing association homes
many restaurants, pubs, cafes built
Successes
wide range of economic, environmental and social benefits that addressed the once failing land, housing and commercial property markets in the area
greatly improved accessibility in and out of the docklands (opening of the docklands light railway - 35000 passengers a week)
more trade for local shopkeepers
Criticisms
many locals were unable to afford the high costs of the new expensive housing (the issue of poverty was only pushed further out)
the new jobs created via the new businesses coming in required a skill set that the old dockers didnt have
reduction in community spirity and morale - newcomers not mixing with Eastenders
