al areas.
Thousands of locals working in the Tower Hamlets area are now employed at Canary Wharf and there is no doubt that the redevelopment has boosted the number of jobs available locally.
As the financial centre became established and increased, people needed more homes and development has spread further than originally planned. This has led to some gentrification of other Docklands areas. Many East Enders, however, feel that the redevelopment has had a negative effect on the areas in which they, and their families have lived for years.
The Millennium Dome: A Controversial Landmark
The Millennium Dome was built on the Greenwich Peninsula in South East London. Prior to its construction, the land was derelict and contaminated by toxic sludge from East Greenwich Gas Works that operated from 1889 to 1985.
The East Greenwich Gas Works was built by the South Metropolitan Gas Company from 1881. It was the last gas works to be built in London and was considered the most modern at the time. The gas works originally manufactured town gas from coal brought in by river and exported coke and chemicals. In the 1960s, the plant was adapted to produce gas from oil.
The site of the gas works was previously derelict and contaminated by toxic sludge from East Greenwich Gas Works that operated from 1889 to 1985.
After the East Greenwich Gas Works closed, the site was left derelict for many years. The gas holders were eventually dismantled, with the last one being dismantled in 2020.
The site has since been redeveloped and is now home to The O2 entertainment district, which includes an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants.
Situated in Docklands, the Millennium Dome is one of London’s most recognisable and controversial landmarks. Designed by Richard Rogers and funded by successive UK governments, the Dome was constructed as part of London’s Millennium celebrations, along with the Millennium Bridge and the London Eye.
The Millennium Experience
The Millennium Dome was originally constructed to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition to celebrate the start of the third millennium. The exhibition was open to the public from 1 January to 31 December 2000.
After the closure of the Millennium Experience at the end of 2000, the Millennium Dome was leased to Meridian Delta Ltd. for redevelopment as an entertainment complex. This included plans for an indoor arena.
The O2: A New Era
The O2 Arena was designed by Richard Rogers and opened its doors in 2007 after developers saw a need for a large entertainment centre. Today, The O2 is a world-class entertainment venue that includes an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants.
Some do live in social housing in the Docklands, but their conditions may not have improved much and many feel that the redevelopment plans ignored their needs.