These newer ports offered a facility to handle containers. With the competition a problem and after years of decline, the docks became too expensive to run, with the lack of trade and inefficiency of loading and unloading. By 1981, all the docks along the Thames were closed. As the area gradually started to run down, the local authorities and government realised that some kind of redevelopment had to take place.
Around 40% of land was derelict and in the 15 years before 1981, 150,000 jobs had been lost. The communication network was poor, no rail links existed, roads were few and narrow, and public transport needed some vast improvements. Local residents were deprived of both leisure facilities and basics like schools and hospitals.
Regeneration
Some regeneration of the area started after the end of the war in 1946 but still most of the land was in dire need of repairs.
To directly combat all the problems that the Docklands contained a new scheme was to be set up. In 1979, the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was created. The LDDC had aims that they wanted to achieve in the Docklands; they were basically to improve the economic, social and physical aspects of the area.
To improve the economic aspect of the area they had to create jobs for the unemployed who were living in the Docklands, to do this they had to bring in major companies. The LDDC decided to provide a good infrastructure to the area; they provided the gas, electric, and roads. Transport was a main problem, so £600 million was spent on transport, and another £300 million on just the Docklands Railway. However, these costs have eased the congestion to the Docks. This was enough to convince businesses to move to the area.
Large newspaper companies were also attracted to the Docklands, away from Fleet Street because of the new Canary Wharf building. This is one of the tallest buildings in England, at 800ft high and with 50 stories. Companies were attracted to Canary Wharf because of the quality of it (it had air conditioning, deep floors, and open office space). Building space in London was short and expensive so Canary Wharf was an ideal place to relocate for its cheep rent, and large offices. Employment in the area is now three times higher than it was before the LDDC was created.
To resolve the problems of poor quality living accommodation the LDDC developed large areas of housing, both renovation and building from scratch took place. £40 million was spent on renovating over 50 existing council estates. A mix of houses were required to suite the needs of different people, 2000 very affordable houses were erected. For the richer businessperson luxury flats were created from old run down warehouses. Luxury flats can be found in the old warehouses on the Isle of Dogs.
To help the local residents find work in the Docklands, training centres were set up to provide training. This helped the people to develop skills in the tertiary industry, like computing, which are now the main source of jobs in the Docklands.
The land use has changed in the Docklands from been derelict; it has now become drastically improved. The overall physical view of the area has improved. 100,000 trees have been planted in the Docklands area. This has been mixed with the careful design and placement of buildings around the Docklands. Large areas have become changed in their physical appearance for the better.
With so much money having been spent on the redevelopment of the Docklands, protection against flooding from the Thames was required. This was found in the Thames Barrier. It can control the height of the river, with giant gates that can be raised and lowered.
Now
The Docklands were once one of the worst run down inner city areas in Britain. However, all this has changed as the derelict land has become regenerated. It has turned out to be the largest urban regeneration scheme in Europe.
Economically the area has improved; a lot of private investment has been attracted into the area. This is a very good thing, as companies are realising that the Docklands have a good future, and are prepared to invest heavily into the area. Another attractive is that the infrastructure has been laid by the LDDC, all costs accounted for. This has meant that the development of the Docklands can continue without the investment of public money. More jobs are being created all the time and people are moving back. People are realising the areas future.
With more pubs, restaurants, services and better houses being made available it is now a place that the public want to live in. Urbanisation is staring to happen. A success for sure, as people are moving back into the area realising it has more to offer.
Before the LDDC took over the area looked ugly and run down, but now has been transformed. In all aspects, the regeneration of the Docklands have been a success. Before the LDDC took over the area looked ugly and run down, it is now a strong competitor to the CBD. With careful planning and consideration it has become transformed into an extremely prosperous place for businesses to be.
