urbanisation: london docklands development corporation

• attempt to regenerate east end london which faced problems at start of 1980's
• high unemployment in 1982 it was 24%, twice the national average, poor housing, high crime levels, outermigration of wealthier residents and skilled people

caused by:

• containerisation
• decline of British empire
• globalisation and loss of manufacturing as LEDC's begin to produce cheaper goods.

• major government investment of £1.86 billion combined with private investment of £7.7 billion
• financial companies move from city to new office blocks as area is revamped
• housing is improved- 8000 local authority homes re-ferbished- 20,000 new homes built- former warehouses converted into luxury flats
• infrastructure improvements- docklands light railway, Jubliee line underground extension, city aiport, millennium dome and watersports marinas
• old warehouses converted into luxury flats, new bars and restaurants to encorage the new cash rich professional class

YES

• 80,000 jobs created
• No. of businesses more than doubled from 1000 to 2400
• unemployment fallen from 24% in 1982 to 9.5% in 1996
• 94 awards for conservation, architecture and landscaping

NO

• of the 80,000 jobs created most were relocated jobs out of London
• very few affordable homes built
• influence of new cash rich professional class affected the traditional east end working class culture
• some infrastructure was too expensive and a waste of money, the docklands light railway cost £73 million but services have been cut due to lack of demand