A Review of London Docklands - Essay Example

A Review of London Docklands Contents Background on why the area (London Docklands) was redeveloped 2 2. The approach applied 3 3. An evaluation of its success in terms of its objectives 4 References 6 1. Background on why the area (London Docklands) was redeveloped London Dockland Development Corporation under the initiative of U.K. government focused on redevelopment of the Dockland areas in east London. The prime objective of LDCC was to develop the area by setting high standard in terms of planning and design. The main reason for its redevelopment is to gain and secure the confidence of the private, government and the public sector (Roche, 2000). The aim of LDCC is to economically regenerate and developed the area by attracting private investments, to improve the prospect and the living condition of the Dockyard community and to physically develop the environment of the Dockland area. The River Thames which is considered as the pride of United Kingdom was silted and with the increase in the number of ships, they faced difficulty to come downstream. During the World War II the area was heavily damaged and it was an attempt to spoil the British economy. This damaged and crippled much of the infrastructure which were no longer used and were lost. There was no commercial infrastructure such as building societies, banks or office accommodation. This was a matter of concern for the government, since the government was worried how to replace and develop the industry on a large scale and redevelop or improve the contaminated dockland into an attractive or preferable place to live and work (Rgs, 2012.). 2. The approach applied LDCC developed a master plan and preferred to depend on the market led redevelopment. The attitude towards its development is flexible. Dockland was very close to the city of London which made it an attractive and preferable for establishment of the office as well as it is possible for residential development on the riverside to accommodate single high income households. The approach that applied to the development of London Dockland Area was clear and simple and it emphasized on attracting investment in that area. The LDCC was formed to develop this area. It is due to the initiative of the LDCC the filling of the old dock was stopped and it became most popular and preferable area for the people to invest. The approach that was followed by the LDCC during redesigning of the Dockland area was to improve the transportation. The development of transportation is considered as the key to the redevelopment of the London Dockland. The tenants of the new office desired more efficient transport facility that will link or connect the area with the city. In order to fulfil or satisfy the desire of its potential tenants it focussed more on the development of transportation facilities. The first phase towards the development of the dockland was developing the Dockland Railway links (Bernstock, 2014). Olympia and York played a significant role in the redevelopment of the Dockland area; they contributed financially during the redevelopment of the area (Edwards, 2013). The developers of Greenwich Peninsula also extended their help and support for redevelopment of the area. In spite of various economic and financial uncertainty and risk, these railway links or connections encourages or motivated the commercial tenants to Canary wharf. The area was transformed from an underdeveloped delinked area to a glittering and attractive area in United Kingdom. The transformation was due to the improvement or development of the offices, houses, shops leisure facilities and the health clubs. The development of the LDCC attracted the potential investors in this area particularly in the Isle of Dogs by improving its connections and transportation facilities. It is considered as the area that offered financial benefit and facilities to its potential buyers. The prices of housing roused during that period. In the year 1987 the connection between Isle of Dogs and Tower Gateway was opened (Moore and Purdue, 2012). 3. An evaluation of its success in terms of its objectives The London Dockland Area was developed due to the initiative of the LDCC. It is considered and referred to as an area where they imposed planning restrictions. In the year 1982, the area was designated and considered as the Enterprise Zone. It offered various financial benefits to its potential buyers. During the period of development undertaken by LDCC the housing prices increased significantly (Poynter, 2009). Therefore with the development in that area the housing prices also increased remarkably which could not be easily afforded by the common people. The overall improvement or redevelopment of the Dockland Area was able to fulfil the objective or the purpose for which it was built or developed. The population of this area almost increased twice with the development of this area and the area became one of the most leading industrial and business hubs of the country. Therefore the people were encouraged and tempted to shift and live in this particular area. With the connection between Tower Gateway and Isle of Dogs and the development of the transportation, the significance of that area increased tremendously (Bernstock, 2009). The London Dockland was extended to other areas of the country which included London City Airport, Stratford, Beckton and Lewisham. The warehouses and the Old Dockland Wharfs were almost demolished, but some of these warehouses were renovated and developed which was transformed into flats. The redevelopments of the London Dockland lead to the boom of the property and rise in the housing prices of United Kingdom. The redevelopments of the area lead to the difference between the old communities and the new arrivals of the area. It developed its own newspaper. The revival or the developments of the London Dockland are proved advantageous and beneficial for the concerned area as well as the other nearby areas of the Dock. The London Dockland is considered as the mixture or the combination of the new lifestyle, attitude and standard of living of the people in that particular area. The LDCC is still on the verge of developing some of the areas which has not yet been developed such as Deptford and Greenwich. Therefore the success or the achievement of the London Dockland area can be evaluated from the fact that it was able to achieve or attain its objectives and goal of redeveloping the London Dockland area (Bradford, 2012). References Bernstock, P., 2009. The regeneration Game. Aldershot: Ashgate. Bernstock, P., 2014. Olympic Housing: A Critical Review of London 2012's Legacy. London: Ashgate Publishing. Bradford, H.T., 2012. Tales of London's Dockland. London: Amberley Publishing Limited Edwards, B.C., 2013. London Docklands: Urban Design in an Age of Deregulation. London: Elsevier. Moore, V. and Purdue, M., 2012. A Practical Approach to Planning Law. London: OUP Oxford. Poynter, G., 2009. The 2012 Olympics games and the reshaping of East London. New York: Routledge . Rgs, 2012. Royal geographical Society. [Online] Available at: www.rgs.org.uk. [Accessed on 1st July 2015]. Roche, M., 2000. Mega events and modernity. London: Routledge. Read More