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Re‐urbanizing London Docklands: Gentrification, Suburbanization or New Urbanism?

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  • TIM BUTLER

Abstract

This article is based on a study of Docklands in London, which was undertaken as part of a larger study of gentrification in inner London. Using interview and survey data, the article compares Docklands with the gentrification that has taken place elsewhere in inner London. Whilst there were important differences between these inner‐London study areas, all differ qualitatively from the process in Docklands. The article questions whether the distinction that is normally drawn between ‘gentrification by capital’ and ‘gentrification by collective social action’ is appropriate and argues that this disguises the nature of the urban regeneration being undertaken in Docklands. It is suggested that this is more a process of re‐urbanization in which some of the characteristics normally associated with suburban development are being brought to an area near the centre of the city, but in a context more normally reserved for gentrification. The data from the survey show that for many of the respondents in Docklands, the kind of life they are seeking is often associated with some conceptions of suburban life. It is suggested that both gentrification and suburbanization as concepts need to be used with care in understanding contemporary processes of re‐urbanization such as are occurring in Docklands and the central areas of other British cities. Résumé Cet article s'appuie sur une étude du quartier des Docks de Londres, menée dans le cadre de travaux plus vastes relatifs à l'embourgeoisement du centre londonien. Des données provenant d'entretiens et d'enquêtes permettent une comparaison entre cette zone et d'autres quartiers centraux ayant connu un embourgeoisement. S'il existe d'importantes différences entre ces quartiers du centre‐ville, tous divergent au plan qualitatif du processus des Docks. En s'interrogeant sur la pertinence de la distinction entre ‘embourgeoisement par le capital’ et ‘embourgeoisement par l'action sociale collective’, l'article avance que cette vision dissimule la nature de la régénération urbaine entreprise dans le quartier des Docks. Il s'agit davantage d'un processus de ré‐urbanisation dans lequel des caractéristiques associées habituellement à l'aménagement des banlieues sont apportées dans une zone située près du centre‐ville, bien que dans un contexte plus normalement réservéà l'embourgeoisement. Les résultats d'enquête montrent que, pour bon nombre des personnes interrogées, le genre de vie recherché dans le quartier des Docks se rapproche de certaines conceptions de la vie suburbaine. Il convient donc d'utiliser avec prudence les concepts d'embourgeoisement et de suburbanisation si l'on veut comprendre les processus contemporains de ré‐urbanisation, tels que ceux qui ont lieu dans le quartier des Docks et dans le centre d'autres grandes villes britanniques.

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  • Tim Butler, 2007. "Re‐urbanizing London Docklands: Gentrification, Suburbanization or New Urbanism?," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 759-781, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:31:y:2007:i:4:p:759-781
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2007.00758.x
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