Tim Millard

Case study: Urban Regeneration

Shoreditch: London, UK
 Figure 1 – Shoreditch in the

Why did people

1980s

move out of
Shoreditch?
• After the war, Shoreditch grew as an
industrial hub.
• As it became cheaper to manufacture abroad,
factories had closed down, and the lack of
jobs was causing people to move out of the
area.
• 30 years ago, Shoreditch was still a run-down
inner city area, full of old factories and
warehouses.
• In place of those leaving, Bangladeshi
immigrants populated Shoreditch,
particularly in brick lane.
• The photo on the right shows the high street
(Brick Lane) before the industrial collapse in
the 1980s.

Figure 2 – Silicon Roundabout
Figure 3 – A themed café
What’s happened
since?
• Shoreditch has changed dramatically over the last 30
years. Old buildings like factories have been converted
into modern apartments. Former pubs and restaurants
have been reinstated as pubs and art galleries.
• Now, the area is an area for modern industries like
film-making, graphics and art, and web design.
• Shoreditch now has a high-tech area, known as the
‘Silicon Roundabout’ after Silicon Valley in North
America.
• It even attracts tourists! There are many examples of
street art, and huge nightlife opportunities in the area,
making it perfect for young tourists.
 Who lives there?
• As Shoreditch was regenerated, house prices
began to rise – this drove low-income
Bangladeshi families out of the area (a
disadvantage). Older people also moved out
of the area.
• In their place, younger professionals are
moving in, often working in high-tech
industries or finance. With them, they have
brought and gathered fantastic nightlife and
entertainment.

Figure 4 – A new flat

Now Answer These Questions…
1. Describe the location of Shoreditch

9 marks

For one
regeneration
scheme you have
studied in a HIC
2. Explain how Shoreditch has changed socially. assess the social
3. Describe why Shoreditch needed regeneration. and economic
4. Explain why Shoreditch is better suited to young changes
professionals than low-income families. that have taken
place