A decade on from the Olympics, the East and South East of London continue to evolve. This half-day will review the lessons of the past, take stock and develop a vision of London's eastwards growth and connections with the wider South East.
The overview
From the relocation of City Hall to the Royal Docks to the plans for food markets and film studios in Dagenham, and from the Thames Freeport, to revitalised plans for new neighbourhoods at Thamesmead and Barking, the future of London’s fastest-growing sub-region is coming into sharper focus.
But the reinvention of the eastern part of London continues to face challenges: unemployment and poverty remain high, health indicators are poor, and economic opportunities for local people have not yet matched up to the advances made by schools. Covid-19 has had a disproportionate impact and may worsen economic prospects, particularly for already marginalised groups.
The East x South East conference brought together regional leaders and they reviewed the lessons of the past, take stock and develop a vision of London’s eastwards growth and its connections with the wider southeast.
This event was an opportunity to reflect on the changes taking place in the area over the last decade and to:
- Highlight the scale of opportunity and need in east London
- Work towards a vision and agenda for action that can be shared by boroughs, private sector partners, as well as London and national government
- Consider the lessons from previous initiatives in east London, including London 2012 and the development of the docklands
- Strengthen the links between investment and lasting benefit for east London’s communities
The format
East x South East featured keynotes, panels and presentations. All the on stage action is available online so you can watch at home.
The themes
Analysing the previous regeneration phases
Did the 2012 Olympic Games deliver on jobs, housing, and opportunity for east Londoners? We looked at the successes, failures and work that is yet to be completed. We also explored what lessons could be learned from previous east London regeneration phases – from Canary Wharf and Greenwich Peninsula to Stratford and the Royal Docks?
Unleashing the Thames
As a number of exciting developments rise along the river, making the most use of the Thames is crucial. How do we unlock its potential, not just as a means of transport but for recreation, hospitality, and culture? How can the local environment be preserved and enhanced, and how can better social and economic use be made of the river?
Levelling up within London
While much national focus is often directed outside of London, we analysed the challenges and opportunities of levelling up within London and what needs to happen in the sub-region London to improve people’s life chances. How can benefits for local communities be maximised – in terms of employment, opportunity and quality of life, and social infrastructure?
Boosting connectivity to East London
This year, Stratford became the busiest station in London confirming the importance of connecting Kent and Essex with East London. How can partners within the wider southeast collaborate more closely to address shared strategic growth challenges, such as building new homes, infrastructure and growing sustainably?
