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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 accomnodation 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.
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