Developing London's Docklands

Book excerpt: London's Docklands has been described as the largest redevelopment area in Western Europe. This book tells the story of that redevelopment and by doing so examines a number of critical issues concerning the regeneration of urban areas. From the first dock closures in the early 70s, the area has been the subject of various and competing plans. Since 1981, the London Docklands Development Corporation with its market-led approach has been charged with regenerating the area. The ensuing developments and the conflict between local needs and commercial imperatives have ensured London's Docklands has never been far from the public eye. The development of Docklands is placed within the context of the changing nature of inner city and planning policy in the UK. The shifting balance between central and local government, the erosion of local democracy and the increasing emphasis on policies aimed at facilitating the role of private investment is illustrated by the various phases of the redevelopment of the area. The author's detailed account of the LDDC era focuses on the main features of market-led regeneration; the encouragement of private investment through planning, transport and land policies as well as substantial public investment; the record on housing and employment; the impact on the local community; the response of local organisations and councils and the alternatives proposed. As "Doing a Docklands" is becoming increasingly fashionable in other areas of the UK and abroad, this book provide a timely analysis of the Docklands experience and points to some essential lessons and questions. This book will be useful for undergraduate courses on inner-city policy and planning, and also forthose taking courses in urban studies, sociology, housing, urban geography and planning.