Population churn in London’s 2012 hosting boroughs

The study has been conducted in late 2009 and feeds into the ‘Strategic Regeneration Framework’ of the London 2012 host boroughs. This Framework sets out the long term benefits the city of London hopes to achieve by investing in the Olympic and ParalympicGames. Residents of the five boroughs are dealing with poorer circumstances in education, income and housing conditions compared to other areas in London. As a result, inhabitants whose circumstances improve (better employment opportunities due to improvement of skills) move to other areas. For this reason, it is important to first re-analyse existing evidence to discover patterns of population decline, household growth and population growth. This paper sets out the outcomes of former studies, compares population patterns in the five hosting boroughs with other London areas and illustrates factors influencing mobility. The final section looks at planned approaches and the potential effects of the 2012 Olympics. According to the paper, the Olympics can create opportunities in terms of economic prospects and social cohesion. For instance, in the Olympic Village and surroundings, the event will generate better transport connections, environmental improvement including a new park, a shopping centre and new housing investments. In addition, the recession and its subsequent effects would slow movement out of the borrows and therefore aspirant households would remain longer in the boroughs. However, it is up to the local authorities to respond strategically to the impact of recession and make use of every opportunity.

Methodology

The results of the study are based on the following resources:

• The department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) reviewed other academic work;
• On the 6th of January 2010 a workshop was held in which representatives from the five boroughs, DCLG and partnership organisations participated. During the workshop a discussion took place which clarified the relationship between mobility and deprivation and re-evaluated exciting studies.
  

K. Scanlon, A. Travers and C. Whitehead
London School of Economics

Organisation

Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Communities and neighbourhoods department

Contact

Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU
alternativeformats@communities.gsi.gov.uk
www.communities.gov.uk

Publication date

December 2010

Document type

Research