CouncilTwentieth century to today
Throughout its history, Tower Hamlets has continued its trend of welcoming people of different faiths and cultures. During the 20th century newcomers from Bangladesh settled in Spitalfields and the surrounding areas, along with Somali and Vietnamese refugees.
With its culture and cuisine, the predominant Bangladeshi community gives such life and vitality to the area that it has been dubbed Banglatown.
This is in stark contrast to the mid 20th century period when much of the area was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. The borough suffered more than any other part of London during the war - twenty four thousand homes and much of its industry were destroyed.
The post war period was also a difficult time as the traditional dock industries fell into rapid decline, leaving substantial areas of land and buildings vacant and derelict.
But Tower Hamlets has a history of responding to the demands of time. After several decades of failed schemes and plans, part of the borough (all of the Isle of Dogs and most of Wapping) was designated an economic development zone.
As a result the years since 1980 have seen massive expansion of new industries and employment, and an extraordinary landscape-changing transformation has taken place.
Empty warehouses have been converted and derelict sites have been replaced by towering office blocks and contemporary housing complexes, many with award-winning glass and steel designs. The glass-topped atrium of East Wintergarden, designed by Cesar Pelli, and One Canada Square (the Canary Wharf Tower) stand out in the heart of Canary Wharf; these 21st century structures sit alongside renovated buildings dating from the docks' heyday, which have been put to modern-day use. Other innovative riverside housing and office complexes are planned for various locations along the old dock areas.
The borough has altered greatly over the centuries, but much of its history survives today in the original street patterns, place names, architectural heritage and the absorption of people from many different backgrounds into today's growing community, making Tower Hamlets a place with a great future as well as a fascinating past.
