1.b.6. planning and environmental quality : social-history versus economic regeneration. b)...
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1.B.6. Planning and Environmental Quality : social-history versus economic regeneration.
b) Docklands Redevelopment - Case Study : London
At the end of this lesson, you will know:
• The reasons for the decline of London’s Docklands.
• What the government did to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions of the Docklands.
• What the LDDC is.
• Who did it benefit ?
Effects of new technology ..1
( a ) Containerisation decreased the need for many dockers.
Between 1967 and 1981 all of London's docks closed.
Goods arriving in the port now came in big containers.
As they were loaded and unloaded by cranes many of the dockers were no longer needed.
Effects of new technology ..2
New container ships were too big to sail up the Thames to London.
( b ) Larger ships could no longer reach the port.
The River Thames and the docks along the river are too difficult and too crowded to use for the very large ships, which carry the containers. The dock companies decided to use other ports such as Tilbury and Felixstowe, which are next to the sea and are not crowded by poor roads and a large city.
T o reduce phys ica l decay andres tore dere l ict bu i ld ings
T o im prove the econom iccond it ions by a t trac t ing newbus inesses and im prov ing
transport system s.
T o im prove socia l cond itions by c rea t ingnew hous ing , rec rea t ional
and shopp ing fac i li t ies.
T h e LD D C h a d th re e m a in ta sks
Therefore the London Docklands Development Corporation ( LDDC ) set up to improve social, economic and environmental conditions.
They Improved …….Employment - Mainly high-tech and financial firms to Canary Wharf Complex.
Housing - 20,000 new homes. Mainly luxury flats.
Services and recreation - shopping complex, marina, parks and sports complex.
They established the area as an Enterprise Zone.
This meant that the government helped in supporting the area by lowering taxes and land rents to the businesses that located here.
This made the new docklands a very attractive site for relocation to the businesses, as they could trade there tax free for the first 10 years. Such companies that were attracted there included many of the newspaper companies such as the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph.
Transport - Road, rail, underground and air.
Uses have gradually been found for the docks. The Royal docks still form the
largest contained area of dock water in the world. Today many new uses
are being found for the areas along the sides of the Victoria, Albert and
King George V docks.
These include housing, London City Airport, the university of East London
and a new international exhibition centre.
The water itself has been cleaned and is a very good water sports area.
This includes an Olympic rowing course and a sailing school.
London Docklands Redevelopment : Who Lost Out ?
• New jobs and homes geared more for rich and better educated.
• Former dockers gained little employment.• Close-knit communities have broken up.