Urban policy and regeneration in Britain since 1979 Flashcards
Why had the London docklands declined?
-During the 19th and 20th centuries, the docks were globally important and there was a lot of economic activity in the area.
-From the 1960s onwards, the docks began to decline due to changes in the shipping industry and the closure of factories.
-Globalisation and government policies led to deindustrialisation.
-The docklands were no longer wide enough for huge container ships.
How many people had lost their jobs in the docklands by the 1980s?
-150,000 people
-The area became deprived, had derelict buildings and poor public transport links to the rest of the city
-20% housing was unsuitable
What was the LDDC and when was it set up? What type of urban regeneration policy?
-The London docklands development corporation (LDDC) was set up in 1981 and was an Urban Development Corporation (UDC) charged with redeveloping the area
What economic positives occurred as a result of LDDC?
-Enterprise zones were created between 1982-1992.
-By 1998, there were 2700 businesses trading in the docklands.
-The area had attracted £7.7 billion of private investment.
-This led to a multiplier effect and the creation of new jobs- by 1998, 85,000 people worked there.
How many new homes were built?
-24,000 homes, including 6250 council houses
-However, gentrification occured due to an influx of private housing developers and luxury penthouses; many locals could no longer afford to live there and were displaced
How did public transport improve?
-Docklands Light Railway (DLR) opened in 1987, and cut journey times to central London to under 20 minutes.
-New pedestrian and cycle routes to encourage sustainable living.
What new community facilities were created?
-Sailing and water sports centre
-Surrey Quays shopping complex
-5 new health centres built and existing ones improved
-New schools and colleges built, existing ones improved
How was the environment improved?
-Docks were refurbished; pleasant environment for residents; more greenery.
-New outdoor spaces, ecology park at Bow Creek and wildfowl sanctuary at East India dock.
How has conflict emerged and why is this negative?
-Conflict between original residents and newer, more affluent residents.
-The feeling that the LDDC favoured luxury developments rather than affordable housing.
Why did the redevelopment not suit local people for employment?
-Many original residents were unable to find work in the new businesses.
-This was because the jobs on offer were skilled positions in the tertiary or quaternary service industry ‘white-collar jobs’ such as banking; many of the residents were not qualified for this type of work.
-In 1981, for example 36% people in the docklands were either unskilled or semi-skilled.
What has been attempted to manage the housing prices and shortage for local residents?
-In some areas, the LDDC asked for 40% housing to be sold at an affordable price to local residents.
How has education been improved since the development to improve skills (especially IT?)
-Training centres were set up to provide basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
-£1.5 million was spent on an IT centre which trained 16-18 year olds in basic electronics (v small scale) and computer programming- it gave them work experience and a qualification at the end.
