I was brought up on the Isle of Dogs, many traditional families have been pushed out by the yuppies of the 80s. The new dwellings that were built are a huge improvement though and it's difficult to recognise the place, being somewhat gentrified. However, very little housing benefitted the local community who couldn't afford to live there anymore. I was all for the improvement of the grey Docklands areas and the Canary Wharf project is amazing...though the romantic part of me would have preffered to see the area developed in Dickensian style or a Canaletto painting instead of a glass-skyscraper soul-less business district.
I think the former idea would have proved a huge tourist draw too and emphasised the river in the same way. Imagine a wonderful huge Christmas market in a traditional 1666 scene. What fun that would be.
