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1.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE BOROUGH
The Metropolitan Borough of Southwark lies to the south of
the River Thames the mid-stream of which forms its northern
boundary. The Borough forms a boundary with Lambeth to the west,
as far south as Kennington Park, to the south with Camberwell,
and to the east with Bermondsey. The landward part of the
Borough extends to 1,131 acres and is divided into ten Wards.
The Elephant and Castle forms a landmark, roughly dividing the
borough into two. The portion of the borough between the Elephant
and the river is becoming increasingly devoted to wharves, warehouses,
diverse industry including food factories, and the
printing trade, and offices, while the area south and southeast
of the Elephant is mainly residential in character. The
provision of office accommodation in the northern part of the
Borough continues a trend of commercialisation which was commented
upon sixty years ago by toe Borough's first Medical Officer
of Health in his first annual report. The momentum of development
has however of late ragidly increased, not only in the
north but also in the southern part of the borough where the
improved aesthetic effects of the new and attractive housing
estates which have been built both by this Council and the London
County Council, with their associated open spaces become ever
more apparent. The role of Southwark as a religious centre is
symbolised by the two fine Cathedrals which it contains. The
historic and cultural aspects of the borough are well known
and the commercial and industrial importance of this central
London borough have continued to increase. The extensive redevelopment
which is taking place at the Elephant and Castle,
the Brandon Estate and elsewhere are already giving Southwark
a new look. A large modern office block already houses the
Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Health now occupy
newly constructed offices at the Elephant and Castle.