The economic regeneration of London docklands: a labour market analysis

Abstract

In 1980 the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was designated as the organisation responsible for the physical, economic and social regeneration of the area in East London known as London Docklands. It-is argued that an evaluation of LDDC policy impact on the labour market will be useful for two reasons. First, it will make a contribution to the academic discussion on the causes of economic and social change in this part of London. This is made all the more necessary because much previous research has concentrated on political issues, whilst paying only lip-service to many of the other economic and social forces that cause change. Second, at a practical level, the controversial nature of LDDC initiatives necessitates a detailed study of policy impact. A conceptual model of the labour market is developed based on segmented labour market theory. It includes the key influences on the demand and supply side of the labour market and the interaction process between demand and supply. This allows the evaluation of LDDC policy to take account of other forces that cause change in the labour market. The broad conclusion is that LDDC policy has had a very limited impact on the local labour market and an explanation of change in London Docklands must include other economic and social forces.