What's happening in Newham

Open House London showcases great design in every London borough. Click here to find out what you can see in Newham this year.

Below, you can find out all about the local context of this borough's architecture, areas undergoing change and projects under construction.

newham shoalOverview

London is moving east and Newham is at the centre of that change. It is the future of the capital both in terms of regeneration and growth.
 
Newham is the focus of billions of pounds of investment. Developments like Westfield Stratford City, the 2012 Games, Canning Town and Custom House, and the enormous potential of The Royal Docks make Newham one of the most exciting places to live, visit or do business in Europe.
 
Named as London’s number one regeneration priority for the next 25 years, Newham is at the heart of the Thames Gateway, Europe’s biggest regeneration project. Newham’s location is key to its success. We’re already London’s best-connected international location thanks to London City Airport, the DLR and a national rail hub and in the near future we hope to see the start of direct high-speed rail services to mainland Europe from Stratford. We have the youngest population in London and a youthful, energetic and growing workforce. 41 per cent of the population is under 25 years of age, and we’re one of the most culturally diverse communities in the capital, with over 100 languages spoken.

Stratford Metropolitan

Stratford is undergoing significant change with the development of the Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City.

Stratford is a major transport node with fast rail, tube and DLR connections to the City, West End and Canary Wharf. It is also home to the Olympic Park and Westfield’s Stratford City. The Stratford masterplan and associated transport study aims to ensure that old and new Stratford function effectively together as a new Metropolitan Centre for East London. New transport projects High Speed 1, potentially High Speed 2, DLR extensions and Crossrail will provide further improved access to central London, the rest of the UK and Europe. Major public realm improvements are being implemented for the town centre and high street, including new paving, a kinetic sculpture called ‘The Shoal’ made up of polished titanium leaves, and the NLA Award-winning Stratford Kiosks.

The Royal Docks

The Royal Docks have the capacity to attract modern sustainable businesses and deliver 21st century economic growth for the capital.

The Royal Docks form the largest enclosed docks in the world, with thirteen miles of river and dock water frontage, currently home to London City Airport, the University of East London and ExCeL. Crossrail’s arrival will place the area less than fifteen minutes from the West End, providing a catalyst for expansion that could create tens of thousands of new jobs and homes. The Royal Docks are central to the proposed Green Enterprise District and have been awarded Enterprise Zone status; recognition by both National Government and the Mayor of London of the importance of the area to the future growth of London’s economy.

Siemens have started construction of a £35 million landmark exhibition and conference centre, which will open in time for the Olympics and provide a permanent showcase for sustainable technologies.

Construction is also underway on a cable car across the Thames, from the Royal Docks to the Greenwich peninsula. Over 1,100m long, it will be the UK’s first urban cable car with a crossing every 30 seconds carrying up to 2,500 passengers per hour in each direction – the equivalent of about 40 buses. Modern cable car stations will be built on both sides of the river, including drive rooms, ticket offices and concourses.
Newham Council and the London Development Agency are also facilitating an exciting programme of meanwhile uses to kick-start regeneration, including a floating village, a London Pleasure Gardens and an historic steam ship.

Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme

The £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme is one of the largest regeneration schemes in the country.

Located in the southwest of Newham, a major regeneration programme is underway to transform Canning Town and Custom House physically, socially and economically with new shops and a supermarket, two improved and expanded town centres, better quality streets and open spaces, up to 10,000 new homes and 5,000 new jobs. The programme is now moving apace, with phase one of the Rathbone Market development set for completion in August 2012 and improved links and connections across the A13 and between the bus and rail station now nearing their conclusion.

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