Amsterdam planning officers learn from Tower Hamlets regeneration projects

Planning Officers from Amsterdam have visited the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to learn how Tower Hamlets Council has managed the demands of expanding areas such as the City Fringe and Canary Wharf.

Amsterdam is developing a new economic centre called ‘Zuidas’ (South-axis). This area is comparable to Canary Wharf and will probably become the most important economic centre in the Netherlands.

Wouter van der Veur, tour leader and Spatial Planning Officer in Amsterdam said: “We wanted to come to Tower Hamlets to see how the offices in Canary Wharf and the City Fringe have been mixed with other uses.

"I was especially impressed by the City Fringe’s markets, creative industries, restaurants and offices. It is this mix of activities which makes this a very exciting area in London."

Officers from Tower Hamlets Council took the fourteen Dutch visitors on a guided tour around the City Fringe which has benefited from major investments from Historic Building Grants to upgrade Conservation Areas, and planning policy controls to encourage family housing.

The delegates walked through Fournier Street Conservation Area and were impressed by the new public space at Bishops Square, the restoration of Old Spitalfields Market and the street improvements around Christ Church, Spitalfields.

Officers also showed the visitors the Millennium Quarter in the Isle of Dogs. The council is successfully implementing a Masterplan in this area.

The Masterplan vision is for this area to become part of the new commercial centre in Tower Hamlets, offering a mix of commercial, residential, leisure facilities, shopping, open spaces and community facilities.

Before returning home to the Netherlands, the visitors managed to squeeze in visits to some of the council’s initiatives which are focussed towards supporting local business, street markets and affordable family housing.

Delegates visited sites across the borough including Shadwell transport Interchange, Tarling Housing Estate regeneration, Watney market, Brick Lane and St. Katherine’s Dock.