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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 south-east 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 the Borough's first
Medical Officer of Health in his first annual report. The momentum
of development has however of late rapidly 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.