London Docklands Flashcards
1800-80
British Empire expansion meant larger docks for iron steamships so the Royal Docks were built e.g. 1880 Albert Dock with rail lines to edge, electric lights, and refrigerated warehouses
1880-1939
Lots of cargo shipped, 1921 George V Docks strike from poor pay so other docks better
1939-45
Very damaged by 25,000 tonnes of ordinance, Mulberry harbour targeted, very high human losses, less shipping
Why did the London Docklands decline
Containerisation, computerisation, competition
Effect of the London Docklands decline
20km derelict land, 16% population loss from 1939-81 with leapfrogging, 21% unemployment, 1/3 housing unsatisfactory, broken windows theory
1981
Europe’s largest urban regeneration scheme launched after closure to commercial shipping: Thames Gateway, 4000 ha brownfield land
London Docklands Development Corporation
1981-99, ran the market and property-led regeneration
Types of regeneration
Economic/market-led by attracting private investment, physical of the environment, social/property-led by improving living conditions and prospects
Government action
Gave investors tax breaks, 1998: Blair didn’t sign 48hr working week restriction, MT set up quasi-NGOS to stimulate industry (laissez-faire economics), deregulated banks allowing investment e.g. HSBC
Business
1980s: attracted £10 private investment for each £1 spent, alpha++ world city, Docklands a third central business district, Canary Wharf: 100,000 commuters, no.1 Canada Square flagship, HSBC HQ
Transport
1987 London City Airport, £450m Limehouse Link connected to Central London
Local community
£30m on community and environment projects, since 1981 50,000 new homes and 8000 improved e.g. Silvertown Urban village
Drawbacks of regeneration
Social wedge, didn’t bring wealth to locals, unaffordable houses, little environmental focus, £1m 2 bed Canary Wharf flat, 1 year life expectancy drop at each station going East on Jubilee line, Canning Town 2.5km form Canary Wharf and 1/4 income
