Deptford is an urban area in the council of Lewisham (Zone 2). The area shows a characteristic problematic of London, the conflict between the high real estate interests due to strategic reasons such as the river proximity and central location mixed with high rates of social problems. The analysis of the urban data showed that the borough of lewisham is one of the poorest of inner London with alarming indexes such as 21 to 23% of deprivation, unemployment rate of 8%, the 70% of the population works out of the borough, the 32% of the population are in social housing programs, the homeless rate is more than twice the UK average and has a crime rate of 2,5%, twice the UK average.

 

On the other hand, Convoys Wharf a 40 acres and a 3 billion pounds investment schemes with planning application approved will be developed in a brownfield site by the river. The scheme will provide 3,500 new homes (with 500 affordable units), shops, restaurants, cafes, hotel, public open spaces, public transport improvements (including a river bus service), 1,800 car parking spaces, renovation of a grade II listed warehouse and three tall buildings (two at 38 storeys and one at 48 storeys). The challenge of the regeneration project proposal was, firstly, to capture the potential economic benefits of the new population and enable local entrepreneur initiatives in order to reach social development. Secondly, encourage social cohesion through the implementation of a community centre which offers among others services: specialized training. And thirdly, retain the area character mainly through the regeneration of the High Street as the mechanism to capture value for local community including the development of street markets, the people supermarket model, and increasing the public transport connectivity.