BORIS Johnson has launched a 15-mile long Green Enterprise district’ to put East London at the centre of the green’ planet. The zone is to stretch from the River Lea at Bromley-by-Bow along the Thames as far out as Rainham

By Mike Brooke

BORIS Johnson has launched a 15-mile long 'Green Enterprise district' to boost sustainable industries and put East London at the centre of the 'green' planet.

The zone is to stretch across East London from the River Lea at Bromley-by-Bow down to Canning Town and along the Thames as far out as Rainham.

It will exploit undeveloped plots of industrial land to attract new investment and develop new low carbon skills.

The Mayor unveiled the plans today which he said would make London a global leader of the low carbon economy.

He said: "We envisage the District will be an international hub incubating dozens of low carbon businesses to transform what has historically been some of the poorest parts of London."

At its centre in the Royal Docks is to be the Siemens Pavilion, a three-storey permanent exhibition and facility to regenerate one of the most deprived parts of London.

The iconic building near to the ExCeL centre and London City airport will be a permanent 'showcase' for sustainable technologies and expects to attract around 100,000 visitors a year, completed in time for the 2012 Olympics when London is in the world spotlight.

The Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: "This will put the Royal Docks on the national and international stage as a place for new technology."

The pavilion will include a permanent exhibition, 300-seat auditorium, education facilities, seating areas, a caf� and shop. Its design maximises natural daylight with high performance glazing, photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, ground-source heat pumps and solar water heating.