h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm from Scotland, and I've been in London a few times. I've always found the East End quite fascinating, though I don't know if I've truly seen it for what it's worth, or whether it actually still exists in any parts as I imagine it would ideally be like.

The article on this site re-Canary Wharf and what it has actually achieved for the area strikes a chord with me. Although Glasgow is a much smaller City than London the planners and developers still seem obssessed with the idea of turning everything 'Dockside' into upmarket developments.

One of the great features of Glasgow is still the Shipyard cranes (what's left anyway) dominating the landscape, along with the magnificent, listed, Finnieston Crane. It's time we put a value on such things and stopped the true spirit and culture of our great Cities from being destroyed any further.

I have to say that this article was written some considerable time ago, and since then, I have visited Docklands a few more times and must admit that I am changing my mind a little. The Canary Wharf development itself has grown, and is still growing, enormously. The Shopping Mall beneath is more lively and pretty crowded even at the weekend, pulling in punters from across East London. The restaurants and bars, especially those by the river, are pleasant and busy. Given a few more years, it may well develop into something more interesting. It is also worth remembering that a large part of the Isle of Dogs remains pretty much as it was, perhaps a little less run-down and neglected, but not obviously attractive. The benefits are arguable, but, whilst not wholly convinced of the virtues of unfettered development, I am less convinced of the evils than I was.