How has London Docklands been regenerated over the last 20 years?

What was the London Docklands?

During the late 1930s, London Docks was the busiest port in the world but, by the late 1970s, the docks had become obsolete and the area had become a derelict wasteland.

Why did the London Docks go into decline?

An increase in ship size meant they found it difficult to come down the river as far as the Isle of Dogs where the river wasn't as deep. (The position of the docks moved further downstream to Tilbury);

Environmental Regeneration

- Network of pedestrian and cycle routes through the area with access to the river and dock edge through waterside walkways

- Creation of pedestrian bridges

- Creation of new open spaces (150ha)

- Water based Ecology Park and London's first bird sanctuary at East India Dock Basin - one of 17 conservation areas set up

- planting of 200,000 trees;

- The area has now received many awards for architecture, conservation and landscaping

Economic Regeneration

- Unemployment had fallen from 14% to 7.4 with a doubling in employment and numbers of businesses;

- Transport revolution - opening of the Docklands Light Railway in 1987 - now carrying 35,000 passengers a week;

- £7.7 billion in private sector investment

- 2,700 businesses trading

- Major new roads including link to the M11

- Building of the City Airport in the former Royal Docks (500,000+ passengers a year)

- Attraction of financial and high-tech firms,

- TV studios and newspapers such as The Guardian now have offices in the prestigious Canary Wharf business complex.

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after