Renew Summer 2009 Web Edition

Renew

Summer 2009

Regeneration in the London Thames Gateway

“Aluna is a unique proposal for the world’s first tidal powered Moon Clock. A monumental timepiece for the planet, a beacon for a sustainable future in the Thames Gateway”

Inside this issue • Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability • The Mayor’s London Housing Strategy • TGLP 10 point plan

Contents

Welcome to Renew

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Ros Dunn, Chief Executive, 2 the moon landings in 1969. The earthrise TGLP photo, taken a year Welcome to Renew earlier from Apollo 3 8 was hailed as Lord Falconer prompting the birth Highlights from 10 point of the ‘age of ecology’ plan and in turn, increased Ian Short 4 environmental Thames Gateway Institute awareness. for Sustainability Forty years on are Alan Benson 5 we doing enough to Mayor’s Housing Stratergy meet the challenges Map: London Thames of climate change? The 6 Thames Gateway was Gateway Housing Market designated as the UK’s Assessment first eco region but 8 what does that actually Jim Lewis The scale of the downturn in mean? One relevant the Thames Gateway project featured in this edition of Aluna: A lasting legacy for 9 Renew is the Thames the Thames Gateway Gateway Institute for Richard de Cani 10 Sustainability, whose partners are working TfL on MTS2 and river together to make crossing practical sense of 11 the eco agenda and John Williams a new approach to Gateway to London emerging technologies and sustainable Knowledge Platform 12 development. Our cover image shows the proposed Aluna project: which would see the world’s first tidal powered moon clock built in the Thames Gateway in time for the 2012 Olympics offering a long term legacy for local communities.There is more detail on this on page 9. In this edition we are also launching a 10 point plan – our priorities for the London Thames Gateway. In the autumn, we will use this as the basis for our “Manifesto for a New Government”. We will call on all parties to take this into

account as they prepare for the next General Election and would appreciate your views on this. In the rest of this edition, you’ll find updates on the work we’ve been doing on our key workstreams which is helping to shape our thinking, with a special focus on housing. We have included some of the headline results from work we’ve been doing with the HCA to assess the current conditions in the London Thames Gateway housing market, together with some thoughts from Alan Benson, Head of Housing at the Greater London Authority on the Mayor’s Housing Strategy which is currently out for consultation. On transport and connectivity we’re delighted that Richard de Cani, Director of Planning from Transport for London has agreed to share his views on progress towards the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS2). And Jim Lewis from the Learning and Skills Council gives us an update on some of the research emerging from our skills workstream. With our HE partners we are helping the Thames Gateway Internship Programme to get off the ground by supplying two guaranteed places at TGLP and we would like to invite other organisations to join with us. Knowledge Internships are intended to ensure that people who have traditionally had less opportunity to gain or benefit from Internship programmes are able to do so. Knowledge East will be running an intensive pre-internship programme to ensure students have the necessary skills and cultural capital to take advantage of opportunities such as those to be offered by TGLP. Finally, in addition to our usual quiz, you’ll hear about our plans to develop a ‘Thames Gateway sub regional Observatory.’

Ros Dunn, Chief Executive, TGLP

TGLP: 10 point plan, preparing for a Manifesto: pleas The concept of the Thames Gateway first gathered momentum under a Conservative government.This continued with cross-party support under the current Labour government. Now we are approaching the next General Election, which must take place by June 2010.The Thames Gateway London Partnership has campaigned for many years for recognition of the unique opportunities in the London Thames Gateway – London’s East. With the country in recession and public finances tightening every month, now more than ever is the time to make sure that investment and focus on the London Thames Gateway – the most important area of potential economic growth in the country – are sustained. Here is the précis of our 10 point plan: the ten things a new government must do, working with London’s regional government, to maintain and extend the successes we’ve already had, strengthening the engine of the UK economy to lead us out of recession. The full version can be found at www.tglp.org.uk 1. Recognise with words and actions that the Thames Gateway is too important to ignore. We call on the government to recognise the lost opportunities if we stop now; a loss of the potential to add £12 billion pa to UK GDP, the delivery of much needed new housing to support rising demand, and the creation of a world class environmental exemplar. 2. Show strong national leadership: a powerful Cabinet Minister with overall strategic responsibility for the Thames Gateway sub-region… 3. ...but trust our Boroughs; free up a responsible and flexible front line by giving real responsibility to those who are delivering on the ground – our boroughs and their partners in the sub region, including by devolving funding.

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Please send comments on this plan to [email protected] and help us develop a detailed Manifesto for the next government.

Lord Charlie Falconer, Chair, TGLP It is hardly news to say that we are living in somewhat uncertain times.The global economy remains fragile and while there are tentative signs - green shoots – of recovery, few of us would dare to predict with any confidence when these will take sufficient root to allow us to say that the worst is over. And alongside the effects of the downturn on the financial services sector, one of this sub region’s key employment sectors, our business, the regeneration and economic development business, has been hit particularly hard. For example, we have had the lowest housing starts for a decade, the lowest number of property sales since 1996 in conjunction with almost 30,000 residents losing their jobs in the last year.

this adds value, to maintain existing and encourage further progress. That is why we are working to ensure that the London Thames Gateway benefits from the housing package in Building Britain’s Future. This should be a shared agenda. Both national government and the Mayor of London have rightly recognised the importance and growth potential of this part of London. Despite significant achievements to date, there are still many untapped opportunities in the Gateway which with a shared willingness to act, could reap dividends in terms of addressing some of the country’s most severe deprivation and helping to sustain London’s growth in important emerging sectors, especially the emerging green economy.

Part of the uncertainty of our times relates to the state of the public finances over the medium term. You don’t need much more than a calculator to work out that there will be severe constraints It is TGLP’s job to make sure that the London Thames on the public finances, and that the next government will have its work cut out Gateway doesn’t get left out to manage many competing demands. It is TGLP’s job to make sure that But, as I’ve argued before, this part the London Thames Gateway doesn’t of London is well placed to lead the That is why in this edition of Renew, get left out, and that the government country on the road to recovery. There we launch our 10 point plan for a new recognises that every single pound of are some hopeful signs, for example a government, aimed at all parties as we well targeted investment spent here recent slowing down in the number approach the next General Election. It’s generates value for the rest of the of newly unemployed and increases in a starting point, not a final position, and economy. But we’re realistic, which is the number of mortgage applications. while some of our points are specific why we are urging the government to And we’ve welcomed a recent tangible to the London Thames Gateway, let go of the tight controls we currently expression of confidence in the sub some, we believe, simply make good live with, and give us a chance to show region by the government, through regeneration sense and ought to be how we can achieve more if we are the Homes and Communities Agency, done everywhere. Our aim is to test given more room to decide how our to support three key developments these ideas with the wider community money is spent. in our boroughs through a special in the regeneration world and, with programme to kick start stalled your help, turn this plan into an I urge you to help us develop this housing schemes which has benefitted autumn manifesto, which explains the plan so that it can be adopted by all planned developments in Greenwich, specific and practical steps we want to parties by sending your comments Hackney and Tower Hamlets. It is see the Mayor and the next national and suggestions to communications@ essential that we do everything we government take to ensure our ideas thames-gateway.org.uk can, working closely together where are put into effect.

ase feed in your views to help us refine the plan

4. Build on successes and opportunities from Canary Wharf through to the O2, Excel and Woolwich Arsenal. We must ensure that the major transformational projects coming to the London Thames Gateway like the 2012 Olympics and Crossrail are delivered. 5. The missing link? Support a new Thames Gateway river crossing: we call on the Mayor to ensure that a decision on a new crossing is taken as speedily as possible and on national government to commit to supporting the decision with the necessary financial assistance. 6. Ensure East London has a fair share of London’s new homes. National and regional government must also help to facilitate the delivery of high quality private sector housing in the area and maintain pressure on other parts of London to deliver their fair share of affordable housing. 7. Support an integrated approach to all investment decisions; we need to create and strengthen places where people want to live, work and thrive, not “developments” 8. Capitalise on our human resources to generate economic success including supporting our higher education institutions 9. Improve skills opportunities for our young people. Starting with the cross government Gateway Skills Framework, we call on both national and regional government to work with local delivery partners to develop an integrated approach which ensures that residents have the right skills and fair access to new jobs. 10. Capitalise on the London Thames Gateway’s potential to lead the response to climate change through innovation in terms of housing, transport and community development as well as energy generation and waste and water recycling; this has been recognised already in the proposal to designate the Gateway as an eco region. 3

Gateway to sustainability research

Ian Short, Deputy Chief Executive of London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and Director of Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability

Europe’s largest urban regeneration project, the Thames Gateway is set to become a very different place in 2009 thanks to increased investment pushing sustainability to the top of the government’s agenda. The Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability is at the core of this changing face, with sustainability research work kicking off on active development sites around the region.

The Institute is central to the government’s plan to establish the Thames Gateway as the world’s first eco region. It will boost inward investment into the region, whilst business incubation space will help to stimulate local enterprise. This will drive economic growth and in turn help to transform the perception of the Thames Gateway. Our vision is for the Institute to become a showcase for best practice in sustainable development and communities.

in Sustainable Design and Construction of the Urban Environment. The MoU formalises the shared intent of the UK and China to collaborate on sustainability research projects and it marks the establishment of sustainability research institutes in both countries. It also aims to support the UK and China’s endeavours to become leaders of the environmental technologies industry – a sector already worth £25 billion to the UK economy.

Professor Zheng Shiling of Tongji University, Professor Malcolm Grant and Ian Short at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to promote collaboration on research in sustainable design and construction of the urban environment

The Institute has a broad base of organisations working with it already and several have made financial or in-kind contributions. There have been commitments of £12m revenue and £14m of capital over the next three years.With The Institute has been set up to promote sustainability funding for Institute supported research and demonstration research, demonstration and knowledge dissemination. Its projects on top of this, it is in an excellent position to make core activities are establishing close-to-market, collaborative a big impact quickly. research and demonstration projects, and using learnings from these projects to promote best practice and support To date the Institute has been governed by a shadow board regeneration. chaired by Malcolm Grant, Provost at University College London, and made up of corporate, academic and public A number of research projects have been progressing for sector representatives. By the end of August, a permanent 12 months, with over a dozen projects underway, so the board of trustees will be appointed, as will the first phase of Institute’s work on the ground is gaining momentum. Key members. As a team they will work together to spearhead initiatives include a Retrofit project focusing on reducing a new approach to emerging technologies and markets energy and water consumption within residential and to ensure that the Thames Gateway, and the UK, is well commercial properties; the development of innovative positioned to deliver solutions for a sustainable future. insulant coatings for domestic and commercial application; green roofs; thermal performance sensors and energy from landfill projects. The Institute is a collaboration of world class commercial and academic partners and has strong links with an affiliate in Shanghai. Since its launch at the Thames Gateway Forum last November there have been significant developments, including the Institute being officially incorporated as a legal entity on 23 March 2009 and the subsequent confirmation of its charitable status. The Institute is now entering its operational phase - the core team is in place, offices are being established in Dartford and central London and the recruitment of the Board of Trustees is progressing well. In February the Institute joined with Arup and Tongji University in Shanghai to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote collaboration on research 4

The Nucleus, Dartford, where the Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability is initially based.

Delivering badly needed housing in London; a view from City Hall on the Mayor’s Housing Strategy Alan Benson, Head of Housing, Greater London Authority

Mayor Boris Johnson’s London Housing Strategy was published in May for public consultation.The strategy takes a three pronged approach to fulfilling the Mayor’s vision: · First, it responds to today’s turbulent economic climate, with the squeeze on mortgages, growing repossessions and developers struggling to deliver new homes. · Secondly, it confronts London’s endemic problems, of affordability, homelessness and overcrowding. · And thirdly, it aspires to longer term aims to improve the quality of London’s homes, to tackle climate change and to ensure that housing acts as a ladder to aspiration not a barrier to opportunity.

the Mayor is overseeing an investment programme of over £5 billion for 200811 and working to develop resilient and innovative investment models and delivery mechanisms. He has also established a strong and co-operative relationship with the boroughs, seeking to agree individual housing investment targets with each, rather than imposing a blanket 50% affordable housing target. Plans are also in train to develop a new settlement in London with regard to how new homes are delivered. The strategy contains proposals on devolving delivery to boroughs, to empower them and provide more local influence over what is built in the local area.

London Housing Design Guide. This will ensure that the homes we build are more attractive, more spacious, more accessible and have higher environmental standards. Adopted initially for HCA funded homes, the aim is that the forthcoming new London Plan will roll out these standards across all tenures. There is also a strong focus in the strategy on existing homes, with measures including a pan-London retrofit programme, the development of a successor to the Decent Homes standard and a reduction in long term empty homes.

“Boris Johnson has The Mayor is also committed to fulfilling already made huge progress the aspirations of more Londoners to own their own home. Through his in tackling London’s new First Steps housing programme, he wants to see more low and middle housing issues” income Londoners eligible for low cost home ownership, to develop new products that better suit their needs and to deliver improvements to the marketing of intermediate housing. The strategy also commits to delivering more affordable rented homes, to better use being made of the current social rented stock, and to increasing opportunities for social and geographical mobility. Key targets include halving severe overcrowding among social tenants by 2016, ending rough sleeping by 2010 and pan-London mobility for social housing tenants by 2011.

Delivering new homes in the current market is a challenge, but the strategy reconfirms the Mayor’s commitment to deliver 50,000 affordable homes by 2011 and sets targets for 42% of social rented and, by 2011, 16% of intermediate homes produced to have three bedrooms or more. The strategy puts in place a number of policies and arrangements to ensure that this aim is realised. To further his aim of putting design Through chairing the London Board of at the heart of every new home, the the Homes and Communities Agency, Mayor is about to launch his new draft

After one year as Mayor, and during a period of seemingly insurmountable economic problems, Boris Johnson has already made huge progress in tackling London’s housing issues. Highlights include: £186 million of investment, which has kick started one stalled housing development each week since March; boroughs agreeing individual targets amounting already to 80% of the 50,000 affordable homes needed; and the launch of the first scheme in the Mayor’s First Steps programme. Consultation on the strategy ends on 31 August, with the statutory strategy formally adopted at the end of the year.

The State of the London Thames Gateway Housing Market: major sites across the boroughs It is clear that housing is a key issue for the London Thames Gatway. That is why in the light of the downturn,TGLP has been working closely with the HCA, supported by Shared Intelligence and BBP Regeneration to provide a robust, up-to-date assessment of the current position on key housing schemes in our boroughs to help provide a foundation for further action to accelerate the delivery of more homes. Our headline findings have been fed in to produce the map overleaf showing major housing sites in the London Thames Gateway. This is to provide a backdrop to the ‘single conversation’

and a shared understanding between our member boroughs and the HCA. These are the provisional results which we will use as part of our evidence base to inform our responses to the Mayor’s Housing Strategy which is due at the end of August as mentioned above. We classified all sites with the capacity for 150 or more dwellings (although we have chosen sites which show the highest gross completions in each borough). The classification is designed to assess the likelihood that construction will commence and homes will be completed on the site

over five years from 1 April 2009. Three main considerations were taken into account: planning status; involvement of a private developer and/or Registered Social Landlord (RSL); and the need for public sector intervention and status of negotiations regarding this support. The key on the map shows the delivery status of each of the sites according to a colour code. We will have more information about the findings of the report in our next edition. 5

Winchmore Hill

SOUTHGATE Totteridge

CHINGFORD

Buc

EAST BARNET

Mill Hill

Barnet

EDMONTON FRIERN BARNET

WOODFORD

W Woodford Gree

Waltham Forest

WOOD GREEN

Haringey

WALTHAMSTOW

HENDON

Golders Green

HORNSEY WANSTEAD

LEYTON STOKE NEWINGTON

HAMPSTEAD

Hackney

Camden

WILLESDEN

Forest Gate

Islington ISLINGTON

HACKNEY

CAMDEN TOWN

STRATFORD

arlesden

BETHNAL GREEN

FINSBURY

WEST HAM

Delivery Status PADDINGTON MARYLEBONE

Full planning permission, development progressing on Holborn site without public sector intervention.

Westminster

Site with full or outline planning permission, not started on site but anticipated to deliver units without public sector intervention. Kensington andprocess, Chelsea Site in planningKENSINGTON / S106 no site start and anticipated to deliver units without public sector intervention. Hammersmith & Fulham

Tower Hamlets

City of London

LONDON

STEPNEY

CITY OF LONDON

WESTMINSTER LAMBETH

POPLAR

BERMONDSEY

HAMMERSMITH Existing public

sector delivery agreement in place inclusive of pre & post planning sites.

SWICK

BARNES

Roehampton

Isle of Dogs

CHELSEA Public sector aware of the site and presently negotiating intervention measures - inclusive of pre & post planning sites. Full planning permission, developer on site progressing BATTERSEA slowly. Potential for public sector intervention to accelerate delivery. Site with full planning permission, development BRIXTON commenced but stopped. Public sector intervention CLAPHAM required PUTNEYto re-start. Site with planning permission and S106 signed but not Lambeth started. PublicWANDSWORTH sector intervention required to facilitate site Wandsworth start.

New

BOW

SHOREDITCH

GREENWICH

Charlton

CAMBERWELL

Southwark

DEPTFORD Blackheath

Kidbrook

LEWISHAM

Lewisham CATFORD

Site in planning process / S106 negotiations, no site start, public sector intervention required.

Hither Green

Dulwich

Pre-planning stage with either developer or other delivery Upper Tooting agent in place, no site start, and potential to deliver units in next five years - public sector assistance may be required.

Grove Park

Sydenham

Site without potential to deliver units in next 5 years. West Norwood

WIMBLEDON

Local Authorities

PENGE

MERTON

Merton

BECKENHAM

Information shown is correct to the best of Spatial Intelligence Department's knowledge at date of issue.

File : SDS320

16/07/2009

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Homes and Communities Agency GD 100018768.

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BROMLEY

London Thames Gateway

(High unit ca

Stapleford Abbotts Lambourne End Buckhurst Hill

BRENTWOOD

South Weald

Noak Hill Chigwell Row

CHIGWELL

Havering-atte-Bower

Hainault

Brook Street

Grange Hill Harold Hill

Woodford Bridge rd Green

Collier Row Great Warley

Harold Wood

Barkingside

Little Warle

Gidea Park

Redbridge

Childerd

D Rush Green

Havering

Cranham

HORNCHURCH Seven Kings

UPMINSTER

ILFORD Becontree

te

Elm Park

Barking and Dagenham

North Ockendon

DAGENHAM BARKING EAST HAM

M

Newham

South Hornchurch South Ockendon

RAINHAM Creekmouth

Wennington Aveley Woolwich Ferry

Belvedere

WOOLWICH Plumstead

Purfleet

ERITH

West Thurrock

harlton

Greenwich Dartford Crossing Slade Green

idbrooke

ark

North Stifford

Thamesmead

Welling BEXLEY

Bexley Bexleyheath Greenhithe

CRAYFORD

SWANSCOM

Stone

ELTHAM DARTFORD

Coldblow Mottingham

New Eltham

Dartford

SIDCUP North Cray

Wilmington

Bean Hawley

Foots Cray

Bickley

Lane End Darenth

Sutton at Hone

Betsham

Hook Gr

Hextable South Darenth

EY

ay Housing Market Assessment t capacity schemes)

Tel: 0300 1234500 Email - [email protected] www.homesandcommunities.co.uk

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Skills and employment: how is the downturn affecting the Thames Gateway? Jim Lewis, Skills Director, Learning and Skills Council, Thames Gateway There have been few topics more common in conversation in the Thames Gateway over the past year than the state of the economy. Thefirst signs of the credit crunch were evident in the weakness of the residential construction sector and signs of a reduction in consumer confidence in the summer of 2008. However the true scale of the downturn was dramatically expressed through massive job losses at Lehman Bothers and subsequent redundancies in sectors such as manufacturing, transport and logistics, retailing and hospitality underlined just how widespread the downturn had become. This picture was far removed from the forecasts for employment growth and skills development that had been prepared by the principal public agencies - the Learning and Skills Council, Regional Development Agencies and Department for Communities and Local Government. They had been working on an assumption of above average employment growth in the Thames Gateway based on analyses of job growth in key sectors and locations over the previous decade. Much of this growth occurred in knowledge intensive sectors with the result that employers were increasingly demanding a workforce with higher level skills. The onset of the economic downturn suggested the need for a reality check to judge the validity of underlying expectations to see if the new levels of economic investment would halt or merely slow down the previous expansion. The joint approach to this by the Learning and Skills Council, the London Development Agency, the East of England Development Agency and the South East England Development Agency involved a shared overview for the Thames Gateway as a whole and five studies of key economic sectors. To provide an analytical context, Local Futures Group identified those employment sectors across the UK that were particularly vulnerable to the effects of the recession. These included Financial Services, Legal and Architectural Practices, Construction, Manufacturing, Construction, Transport and Communications, Retail, Hotels and Restaurants and the Public Sector. The significant implication for the Thames Gateway policymakers is that over 700,000 jobs are employed within these vulnerable sectors, representing just under half of all jobs in the region. Of these, almost 440,000 jobs work within the financial services and what could be considered as ‘high street’ based sectors, particularly retail and leisure based industries such as hotels and restaurants.

The agglomeration of key sectors in specific locations,for example, financial services and other supporting sectors in the City of London and Tower Hamlets, means that these workplaces are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the recession. The loss of jobs in these large employment clusters can also lead to significant effects in some local economies. Analysis of unemployment patterns by TGLP clearly indicated the significant increases in newly unemployed in the outer London boroughs, areas which previously recorded comparatively low levels of worklessness. Looking ahead, Local Futures project the loss of almost 90,000 jobs in the Thames Gateway over the period JanDec 2009, most of which are likely to occur in London Thames Gateway. However, there is some good news in that the increase in the number of jobseeker claimants is beginning to slow down. The huge increases in claimants evident in Jan-Mar has been followed by evidence of a slowing down, to such an extent that there the jobseekers totals in May and June are similar. The conclusion of this work and the sector studies do not take account of the progress of specific projects (like DP World Ports, or the Olympic Park) and did identify some sectors with greater resilience. However, there is clearly a need for future public investment to sustain the earlier progress of the Thames Gateway in these more difficult times for private companies. Finally, it is worth remembering when we have emerged from previous recessions, the region did not possess the scale of transport and communication infrastructure that is now in place or an evolving highly skilled and flexible workforce that should enable it to recover from the most serious economic recession since the 1930s. This recent research was commissioned by the three RDAs and is relevant to our skills and employment workstream.

New Board Members for TGLP and our thanks to those who are moving on We are delighted to welcome three new Members to our Board. They are: Councillor Linda Bailey, London Borough of Bexley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Marc Francis, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Lead Member for Development, and Councillor Nicholas Hayes, London Borough of Redbridge, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration. We say goodbye to the three borough representatives 8

they replace, with many thanks for all their help and support for the Partnership: Councillors John Waters of Bexley, Ohid Ahmed of Tower Hamlets and Peter Goody of Redbridge. We are also indebted to the following who are leaving the partnership due to retirement or simply moving on: Jim Lewis, Skills Director, Learning and Skills Council, Thames Gateway, Paul Corrigan, formerly a Director of NHS London, and Peter Holliday, Director of Strategic Development, London South Bank University. Their replacements will be announced shortly.

A lasting legacy for the London Thames Gateway

In the year of the 40th Anniversary of the moon landings we look at what could prove to be a stunning legacy for Thames Gateway communities, an amazing symbol of the 2012 Olympics and a major attraction for international visitors. Aluna is the world’s first tidal powered moon clock - a stunning, uniquely functional piece of modern public art created and led by London artist Laura Williams. The project has gathered widespread support from across the political spectrum and beyond with endorsers including Lord Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, Terry Farrell, the Thames Gateway Design Champion and Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. Larger than Stonehenge, Aluna’s 40m diameter glass structure lights up to show the phase of the moon, the moon’s position in the sky and the tidal cycle. It will be the first major landmark of its kind; zero-carbon, built with 100% recycled glass collected by local communities, and powered by renewable energy generated from the Thames. The moon creates the tides and Aluna harnesses the moon’s energy directly from our river using the latest turbine technologies.

A beacon for a more peaceful and sustainable future, Aluna is the perfect landmark to represent London in 2012 and beyond. It encompasses all that the Olympics and Paralympics stand for, celebrating human achievement, unity and diversity. Aluna embodies the long, slow time of the earth’s rhythms, reminding us of the fundamental relationship between the moon, the sun and our blue planet. The Olympics also represent time, by pitting the human being against the clock. Aluna is a symbol for London as the most welcoming and culturally diverse city on earth. It will make a significant contribution to inter-cultural dialogue, as the moon transcends all divisions and has been central to cultures around the world since the dawn of time. Many of the UK’s festivals are timed by the moon, including Chinese, Hindu and Jewish New Years, Easter, Passover, Ramadan and Diwali. As public art that unites culture, science and the environment, Aluna offers London a sustainable legacy with exciting plans for a diverse cultural and educational programme, for the local community and visitors alike. A key element is the development of a participatory educational strategy,

with Aluna as a Learning Outside the Classroom destination for schools nationwide. Aluna will provide an inspirational public space and outdoor amphitheatre on London’s waterfront for cultural events and performance such as dance, theatre, sport and music. It will be a ‘live’ space throughout the Olympic games and beyond, uniting people on local, national and global levels for outstanding moments of creative excellence, be they professional or community led. Aluna’s team are in discussions with the London Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets about two sites: East India Dock Basin and Greenwich Pier, both in view of the Meridian. Aluna resonates with these historic sites on elemental and fundamental levels, connecting space, time, water and people. Aluna provides a unique, high profile funding opportunity and the team are now looking for philanthropic and corporate sponsors to help ensure the project will be delivered in time for a spring equinox full moon launch in 2012. Pro bono partners and funders already include Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer, EBC Education, Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust and the Michael Davies Charitable Settlement. £800k worth of technology sponsorship is being offered by Dutch company Ecofys and the team are in discussions with other large material and technology providers. To become involved please contact the project office on 020 7536 7632 or visit www.alunatime.org

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Transport: Thames Gateway Strategic Review Richard de Cani, Director of Strategy and Policy, Transport for London TGLP are closely involved in setting future transport policy, here Richard de Cani explains some of the ways we work with other agencies. East London continues to be a key area in London for growth and this has been matched with significant Transport investment in East London over the last twenty years. More recently the extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Woolwich has been completed, and improvements continue with the enhancement of the existing DLR network to accommodate an additional 50% capacity; the upgrade of the London Underground network; improvements to National Rail; and the introduction of the Overground. The construction of Crossrail serving a number of destinations across the region and the development of a bus based system which will serve Barking, Barking Riverside and Ilford. Despite these improvements significant challenges remain across the East London Region and TfL have been working closely with boroughs and TGLP to discuss these and identify priorities. In 2008 the Mayor set out and consulted on his personal vision of transport policy and development in London, ‘Way to Go!’ which formed the direction of travel for the new Transport Strategy. In 2009 Transport for London, on behalf of the Mayor, will consult with the public and key stakeholders on the new Transport Strategy with an aim to publish the new Strategy in spring 2010. There is an opportunity to better link transport and land use planning arising from the development of the new Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the Mayor has asked TfL to undertake a review to assess the transport and land use needs in the Thames Gateway. This is a high level exercise working closely with the GLA, LDA and TGLP which will broadly identify corridors and places where there are

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challenges to address. Extensive consultation with key stakeholders and agencies will take place to determine what transport interventions and priorities are necessary beyond current funded schemes to 2017 in order to deliver the MTS.

“This is a high level exercise working closely with the GLA, LDA and TGLP”

The Review will consider alternative options for a much needed new East London river crossing, which is a key priority for TGLP. It will also set out the strategy and priorities for the region including the extension of the DLR to Dagenham Dock, and consideration of how local links could maximise the opportunities for existing infrastructure and provide better connections with existing places and new developments. In addition to the overarching challenges identified in the new MTS five accompanying regional strategies, including one for East London, are to be developed to identify and inform solutions to specific challenges in each region. It is planned that these documents will be initially prepared in 2010, but will remain live documents to develop as priorities and schemes move forward. Consideration of how land use and transport planning can be more integrated includes maximising existing transport infrastructure through consideration of phasing and land use type and density and ensuring that transport planning is undertaken in parallel to land use planning with consideration of urban realm and and good design principles.

Strengthening Networks will Enable London Thames Gateway to Fulfil its Potential

John Williams, new Chief Executive of inward investment agency Gateway to London

Just a few months into my new job, I have been tremendously encouraged by the people and businesses I’ve met. It has always been my view that the companies which perform the best are those that change the nature of the business they are in. Since taking up my role here I have met some shining examples of this – and I expect to see a lot more. These are challenging times for the global economy. Yet, all is not doom and gloom. It is the right time to be doing business in the Thames Gateway, one of the few development areas that is truly in a unique position. It offers businesses across the board a strong and broad business base, domiciled in the world’s foremost global city, whilst also offering room to grow on a scale that is unique in London. It is my intention that we build upon this gift of having ‘the best of both worlds’. By providing companies with a first class inward investment service we will enable them to take advantage of London Thames Gateway’s many benefits. Business investors look for three things – access to markets, availability of resources, and improved efficiencies. London Thames Gateway is well placed to meet all three; it has unrivalled access to a range of markets and industries in London, Europe and around the world, there is a large and diverse pool of labour, operation costs remain low, and there is an everimproving transport network. I have joined Gateway to London at an exciting time.The area will be home to the 2012 Olympics, and will soon see

major infrastructure developments, including Crossrail, a new major eastwest rail link connecting Heathrow to Abbey Wood and opening up major development opportunities in East London. The Thames Gateway is the focal point for development of sustainable industrial development, in line with London’s aspiration to become an exemplar sustainable world city. And the momentum is continually building, with projects such as Dagenham Dock’s 25 hectare London Sustainable Industries Park (SIP), being developed by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC).This is the first project of its kind to be established in a European capital, and at Gateway to London we look forward to contributing to the success of this and other similar projects, when they are replicated across the region. As with environmental technology firms, creative companies also benefit from being neighbours with likeminded organisations where they can pool ideas and resources. We are witnessing an ever-growing cluster of these in London Thames Gateway and are actively courting potential ‘movers’ to follow in the footsteps of Millennium Performing Arts and Colour Holographics. In order for London Thames Gateway to maintain its position as the leading location for business, the region must retain the best conditions for growth. By working ever closer with partners, we can help companies take advantage of London Thames Gateway’s rich

New Ministers at the DCLG Since the last Cabinet reshuffle, the responsibility for housing and theThames Gateway has changed again, John Healey now has responsibility for housing and John Denham has the Thames Gateway listed as a main responsibility on his brief.

The two new men in charge do have experience in housing. John Denham was chair of housing in Southampton from 1989 to 1993 and introduced one of the first social housing land strategies in the country along with plans to bring back empty homes into use. Healey co-authored a Smith Institute paper on housing and the economy in 2004 with future schools secretary Ed Balls.

John Denham – Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Overall responsibility for the Department and its policies, including: Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets; Departmental Strategic Objectives (DSOs); and expenditure issues; Empowering communities and citizens, Thames Gateway and the Olympics. John Healey – Minister for Housing. Responsible for Housing including the Homes and Communities Agency; Planning - including the new Infrastructure Planning Commission; Climate Change and Sustainable Development.

and diverse business opportunities. Building closer relationships with partners will be a key focus for Gateway to London, enabling us to co-operate more effectively, leverage wider support and funding, and apply upward pressure to implement initiatives that will transform the local business environment. Strengthening networks will enable London Thames Gateway to fulfil its potential. Gateway to London is confident that the strong investment culture in London Thames Gateway will ensure long term prosperity and growth, and the regional economy is well placed for the future. With so many transformational projects in the pipeline, London Thames Gateway can exceed all expectations, and I look forward to working with partners and the region’s businesses to secure a long term future for a thriving London Thames Gateway economy.

Shahid Malik – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. Responsible for: Fire; Cohesion (including race) and Migration; Prevent; and Thames Gateway and Olympics legacy.

“Backed up with £9.6 billion, the long-term prospects for the Gateway remain strong. So now is not the time to start watering down our ambitions.” 11

Celebrity Quiz for RENEW

In a slight change from our usual quiz derived from key facts held on the Knowledge Platform, for this edition we have chosen to highlight the contribution to popular culture of celebrities born in our area.

Q1

Double Oscar winner, born in Ilford and now probably better known as Professor McGonagall in the Harry potter films? a) Dame Judi Dench

b) Dame Maggie Smith

c) Emma Thompson

Q2 Diminutive, multi-talented comedian, actor and musician born in Dagenham? a) Billy Bragg

b) Ernie Wise

c) Dudley Moore

Q3

Dartford was the birthplace for which famous songwriting duo? a) Jagger/Richards

b) Lennon/McCartney

c) Strummer/Jones

Q4

Actress born in Plaistow, played ‘Cathy Gale’ in the Avengers and later became a Bond girl a) Joanna Lumley

b) Honor Blackman

c) Dame Diana Rigg

Q5

The ‘master of suspense’, this director, actor and producer was born in Leytonstone? a) Sir Alfred Hitchcock

b) Sir David Lean

c) Sir Ridley Scott

Q6

Born in Bexleyheath in 1958, this singer, songwriter had a number one hit based on the title of a Emily Bronte book? a) Annie Lennox

b) Bonnie Tyler

c) Kate Bush

Q7

Double Oscar winner, this actor was born in Greenwich and featured in films such as ‘My Left Foot’, ‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘There will be Blood’? a) Ray McAnally

b) Daniel Day-Lewis

c) Liam Nesson

Q8

Actor born in Hackney, best known as Baltimore gangster and businessman ‘Stringer Bell’ in the acclaimed HBO series ;’The Wire’? a) Ray Winstone

b) Dominic West

c) Idris Elba

Proposed Thames Gateway Observatory In previous editions of Renew, we’ve highlighted the usefulness of the Thames Gateway Knowledge Platform developed by TGLP as a web-based resource concerned with the social, economic and environmental conditions in the Thames Gateway. However, although the Knowledge Platform is one of our main analytical tools, it is not the only data source that TGLP uses. In the course of our research, we make extensive use of obtaining or extracting specialist data about the Thames Gateway and in some instances, information that is not readily available. For example, we have bespoke datasets that examine the participation of local residents in higher education, the subject studied and the type and location of the institutions attended. Alternatively, we’ve used detailed labour market data to examine the key employment sectors within a borough or ward to assess what sectors are growing and those that are declining. However, having access to Thames Gateway specific data is only one half of the process. At TGLP, we have access to researchers and analysts that can make sense of this information and assist us in developing evidence based policy and planning. The next task for TGLP is to bring together the Knowledge Platform, our spatially defined datasets and our analytical capability together into a resource that will become one of the main sources for information about the Thames Gateway. This central resource will be called the ‘Thames Gateway Observatory’ and we are currently working on developing a dedicated website linked to the TGLP website. Access to the Thames Gateway Observatory will be free to TGLP members, and a small annual subscription will be charged for those who are not currently partners.

Q9

c) Terence Stamp

Q2 Answer: c)

Q3 Answer: a)

Which former Rolling Stone and now member of blues-rock band ‘the Rhythm Kings’ was born in Lewisham? a) Charlie Watts b) Bill Wyman c) Ronnie Wood

Q6 Answer: c)

Q11

b) Sir Michael Caine

http://tblp.localknowledge.co.uk

Q9 Answer: a)

a) Steven Berkoff

or Stephen Bromwich on 020 7673 4672 or email [email protected]

Q1 Answer: b)

Played arch villain General Zod in the Superman films and more recently a transsexual in ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’, this iconic actor of the 1960s was born in Stepney

Q5 Answer: a)

Q10

Q4 Answer: b)

c) Nick Kent

Q8 Answer: c)

b) Julie Burchill

Q11 Answer: b)

a) Tony Parsons

For more information contact Gary Tindell on 020 7673 4578 or email [email protected]

Q7 Answer: b) Q10 Answer: c)

Author, broadcaster and journalist, born in Romford and responsible for the best selling book ‘Man and Boy’, later made into a film?

Renew is published by Thames Gateway London Partnership and is distributed free to regeneration agencies, private and public sector partners and community organisations within the Thames Gateway. Editorial contributions, subscription requests and any other queries can be sent to: [email protected] Thames Gateway London Partnership, Anchorage House, East India Dock, 2 Clove Crescent, 16 London E14 2BE Telephone: 020 7673 4578.