1
Q
Reason for changes in a place
A
- physical factors
- accessibility and connectedness
- historical development
- the role of local and national planning:
2
Q
Physical Factors:
A
- Coastal erosion - In Norfolk, 250m of land has been lost in the last 250 years
- Climate change creates unpredictable weather leading to more flooding, so therefore towns need to invest in flood defences. - Tewksbury 2007
- Eco - friendly buildings to help mitigate against climate change
- Location: proximity to large cities and core economic zones.
- Environment: places vary in attractiveness.
- Technology: lifts allowing high rise, and motor vehicles, facilitating urban sprawl and counter-urbanisation. Fibre optic cables and broadband are shifting traditional ‘landscapes’ and relationships.
3
Q
Accessibility and Connectedness:
A
Improved rail and motorway links - HS2
Allows rural areas to be accessible
More FDI
Connections help competition for investment and visitors.
4
Q
Historical Development:
A
- Post-production era: once key factors in many places; primary production (agriculture, farming) fishing) and manufacturing has ended.
- Competition for the optimum site for functions: commercial, retail, residential, infrastructure.
- Land values and intensity of use historically increased towards the Central Business District (CBD) or the core of a village (church, marketplace) because access for most people pre-motor vehicle age was best here.
Changes in consumer trends:
* in retailing, from corner shop to supermarket to online shopping
* in house types: increased demand for single homes due to demographic and cultural trends
* role of big business and TNCs in shaping consumer demand and, hence, the character of places (cloned shopping malls).
- Increased affluence has increased leisure and tourism functions, so many houses and buildings converted, such as bars, B&Bs or second homes.
- Historic buildings (ex-warehouses, canals, old market squares) can be a physical asset for places seeking regeneration.
- Conversely, large areas of derelict buildings and the legacy of toxic waste from manufacturing may be a deterrent.
5
Q
Local and National Planning:
A
- Lack of housing - National infrastructure plan
- Increased transport - Heathrow expansion or HS2
- National government policies on restructuring the UK economy, trying to equalise the benefits and reduce the negative externalities of changes.
- The 1990’s policy of increasing student numbers so that 50 percent of children go on to higher education.
- A ‘plan led’ system with tight control over developments, zoning and segregating land uses began from 1948.
- Green belts introduced and new and expanded towns were developed to relieve population pressure from larger cities.
- The policy of state-funded council housing, industry and transport shifted from the 1980s towards privatisation and greater partnerships with private investors and speculators.
- Conservation area policies limit new developments and encourage conversions rather than renewal schemes.
- National interests may override local ones, for example HS2 and fracking.
- Larger schemes must have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Central government intervention in local places started to change in the late twentieth to early twenty-first century when the policy of ‘localism’ and individuality began.
- Local planning centres on elected parish and city councils, and on a few larger cities.
- There has been an increased input into local decisions through Local Area Plans and stakeholder meetings.
- The cumbersome planning process was streamlined in 2013, although criticised for fast-tracking decisions without full consultation.
- Image or the perception of a place may affect whether a place needs changing, or is able to change.
6
Q
Changes in Llandudno
A
- Llandudno has undergone some change, although this is small compared to other areas in the UK.
- Initially setting itself out as a tourist town in Victorian Britain, Llandudno remains a very popular tourist destination.
- The economy of Landudno remains reliant on tourism and a service economy.
- The local area works hard to restrict change seen through the rules regarding independent ownership of seafront hotels and heavy restrictions to any aesthetic changes.
- As a result demography is relatively elderly as this is the demographic attracted to the seaside resort.
7
Q
Changes in Birmingham:
A
- Birmingham was heavily associated with secondary industry, but more explicitly manufacturing of automobiles for example MG Rover in Longbridge as well as jewellery.
- However, following deindustrialisation, the function of employment in secondary industry declined significantly leading to large unemployment.
- However, the jewellery industry managed to withstand this global picture with 1/3 of jewellery manufactured in the UK occurring within one mile of the city centre.
- Birmingham’s economy became dominated by tertiary industry, creating a significant problem where jobs available did not match the skillset of the population.
- Retail has become one of the most significant functions of Birmingham, home to the Bull Ring and Grand Central which attracts 36.5 million visitors a year.
- High education has played an increasing role within the city, now home to 6 higher education establishments with the University of Birmingham now ranking 10th in terms of research (quaternary industry) according to QS world rankings.
8
Q
Change can be measured using
A
- employment trends
- demographic changes
- land use changes
- levels of deprivation (income deprivation, employment deprivation, health deprivation, crime, quality of the living environment, abandoned and derelict land).
9
Q
Employment Trends:
A
- Employment patterns provide insights into economic shifts and societal dynamics.
- Analysing employment trends involves assessing changes in job types, industries, and employment rates over time.
- It reflects broader economic changes, technological advancements, and shifts in global markets.
10
Q
Demographic Changes:
A
- Demographic indicators focus on population characteristics and their transformations.
- Key elements include population size, age structure, migration patterns, and fertility rates.
- Demographic changes can be indicative of social, economic, and cultural shifts within a region.
11
Q
. Land Use Changes:
A
- Changes in land use highlight alterations in the utilization of space, reflecting economic, environmental, and social factors.
- Urbanization, agricultural expansion, and changes in industrial practices are common aspects of land use changes.
- Monitoring land use helps assess environmental impact and societal priorities.
12
Q
. Levels of Deprivation:
A
- Deprivation refers to the lack of resources and opportunities necessary for an individual or community to enjoy a basic standard of living.
- Different dimensions of deprivation include:
- Income Deprivation: Lack of financial resources.
- Employment Deprivation: Limited job opportunities and job insecurity.
- Health Deprivation: Inadequate access to healthcare, resulting in poor health outcomes.
- Crime: Higher crime rates reflecting social issues.
- Quality of the Living Environment: Poor living conditions, including housing and infrastructure.
- Abandoned and Derelict Land: Unutilized or neglected spaces, indicating urban decline.
13
Q
Index of Multiple Deprivation
p1
A
- IMD is used by central government and especially by local authorities to target regeneration aid, to allocate resources to places and people (such as areas with low average GCSE scores) and target hotspots of crime.
- Places are ranked by their relative level of deprivation
- This is a relative measure only.
- Not every person may be ‘deprived’ in a highly deprived area, and some deprived people may live in the least deprived areas.
- In the IMD, 32,844 small areas or neighbourhoods (called lower-layer super output areas, LSOAs) are used, each having 1500 residents or 650 households.
- Thirty-seven indicators are grouped into seven ‘domains’ and ranked by importance: income and employment are higher than health and education.
- Crime and living environment are weighted the least.
- The main findings from the September 2015 IMD, as identified by the Department for Communities and Local Government, were:
14
Q
Index of Multiple Deprivation
p2
A
The main findings from the September 2015 IMD, as identified by the Department for Communities and Local Government, were:
* There are pockets of deprivation within less deprived places in all English regions.
* Deprivation is still concentrated in large urban conurbations, areas that have historically had large heavy industry, manufacturing and/or mining sectors and coastal towns, for example large parts of East London, Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Kingston upon Hull, Liverpool and Manchester.
* The London Boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Haringey have become relatively less deprived since 2010.
* For the first time the IMD has been measured in the
24 English Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to help target aid.
15
Q
Importance of Measurement:
A
Accurate measurement allows geographers to identify patterns, make predictions, and propose interventions.
Understanding change through multiple indicators provides a holistic view, capturing the complexity of societal transformations.
16
Q
Gentrification
p1
A
- Gentrification is the renewal, renovation or rebuilding of older and deteriorating buildings in order to create more upmarket places for middle class residents.
- The process begins when young professional workers, who can’t afford the house prices of the suburbs, purchase run down terraced houses in the inner-city area, more traditionally occupied by low skilled residents who formerly worked in the manufacturing (secondary) industry.
- This is positive as the home improvement carried out by the new occupants causes the housing stock to be renewed and overtime other houses follow suit, house prices increase.
- This is evident in my local of area of Birmingham, where house prices in previously deprived Ladywood (The worst area for child poverty in 2016) increased by 17% in 2017.
- The benefits of this are even greater than other forms of improvement due to the little/no cost to local government as well as the associated increase in service provision such bistro pubs, café culture and edgy cocktail bars.
17
Q
Gentrification
p2
A
- Whilst gentrification increases the economic value of an area, this comes at huge costs to the ‘local population’.
- Traditional communities of these now gentrified areas, previously worked in secondary employment, which has since declined following deindustrialization.
- They therefore do not have earnings high enough to purchase or rent properties in the area which has now seen such increased property prices.
- In the long term this leads to ‘local’ residents being forced out of the inner-city neighbourhoods, with longstanding communities being dispersed across the city.
- In the short term, services adjust to increase profits by capitalising on the high spending power of the new residents thereby changing the character of the areas.
- Whilst some would argue this is for the better, the changes do not match the needs/wants of the traditional community leading them to feel marginalised.
- This can lead to social stratification whereby a community is divided by its resident socio-economic status.
18
Q
Studentification:
A
- Whilst some positives can be brought by students in terms of long-term upskilling of the workforce as many students stay once graduated, in the short term the effects of studentification are overly negative.
- Selly Oak (Birmingham), a high student population has created issues concerning crime, more specifically antisocial behaviour and burglary (in particular due to large proportions of multi occupancy housing).
- In Selly Oak (Birmingham) in one month, 71 cases of robbery were reported.
- This clearly demonstrates the challenges that come with an influx of students.
- Only with careful management and involvement of universities themselves can the negative effects be minimised and positives maximised.
19
Q
Ethnic Composition
p1
A
- In Birmingham, 42% of the population are of ethnic origin with 1/5 of the population born overseas.
- This is starkly different to Liandudno where less than 6% of the population are from non white ethnic groups.
- In Birmingham, the multicultural society leads to many positives such as increased opportunities for cultural exchange whether through food/language etc in places like Sparkhill and Sparkbrook.
- This is positive as it will foster diversity, tolerance and acceptance among the residents there which can only lead to long term positives at a time where unfortunately far right attitudes are becoming more widespread.
20
Q
Ethnic Composition
p2
A
- That’s not to say that a change in ethnic composition doesn’t come without its challenges.
- In Birmingham 16% do not have English as their first language.
- This can be a barrier to integration and if left unchallenged can cause social segregation.
- Furthermore, challenges with communication can present hurdles for service providers such as schools and doctors surgery, who have to adapt to the communities in which they serve.
- This can come at a cost to the provider.
- However, if managed correctly the overarching benefits of tolerance and diversity can prevail.
21
Q
Summary:
A
Demographic changes bring both positives and negatives to the communities in which they serve.
If managed correctly by local governments often the challenges can be mitigated.
This is particularly the case in terms of multiculturalism.
Whilst gentrification too brings positives, its ad hoc nature makes it harder to support those marginalised by the process.
Studentification however, probably presents the biggest challenge of them all due to large scale impact and lack of short term reward.
22
Q
Llandudno:Regional and National Influences:
A
Llandudno, being a Victorian seaside resort, has been historically shaped by national trends in leisure and tourism.
Its regional influences include the natural landscape, particularly the Great Orme, which has environmental and recreational impacts.
23
Q
Llandudno:Representation in Various Forms:
A
Llandudno is often represented in tourism brochures, art, and literature, showcasing its picturesque landscapes and Victorian architecture.
Contrasting representations may emerge when considering the economic challenges faced by some residents, which may not be as evident in tourism-focused depictions.
24
Q
LlandudnoFormal and Statistical Contrasts:
A
Formal representations may highlight tourism statistics, visitor numbers, and economic contributions from the tourism industry.
Contrasts may arise when considering less visible statistics, such as local employment rates or income disparities.
25
Impact on Lives: llandudno
Real impacts include the seasonal employment opportunities in tourism, impacting the livelihoods of many locals.
Imagined impacts might include the perceived tranquility and idyllic lifestyle associated with living in a seaside town.
26
Continuity and Change: llandudno
Very little change
Continuity is seen in the enduring popularity of Llandudno as a tourist destination.
Changes might involve shifts in the types of visitors or adaptations to economic and environmental challenges.
27
Birmingham vs llandudno
- Birmingham is extremely well connected within its region.
- Connected by four motorways, M5, M6, M40 and M42, Birmingham has developed its own influence within the region, to the extent that it has become the centre, financially and socially for the West Midlands.
- The development of the Bull Ring in 2003 and the expansion to include Grand Central, makes it the largest city centre shopping establishment in the UK.
- This brings in some 38 million visitors each year thereby demonstrating it's national importance as a retail centre.
- Llandudno is regionally important in North Wales drawing in people for music and arts festivals such as the Victorian Extravaganza held in April and the Transport festival, a celebration of vintage cars.
- However, the influence of Llandudno, is not that of Birmingham, due to its isolation on the North Wales coast meaning its sphere of influence is limited.
- Birmingham on the other hand is the largest metropolitan area in the region by some way.
28
Regional and National Influences:
Birmingham, as a major city in the UK, has been heavily influenced by national industrial and economic trends.
It is a diverse and multicultural city, influenced by immigration and national policies.
29
Representation in Various Forms:
Birmingham is often represented in media and literature as a vibrant and multicultural city, highlighting its cultural events, shopping, and diverse cuisine.
Contrasting representations may emerge when considering the socio-economic disparities present in different neighborhoods.
30
Formal and Statistical Contrasts:
Formal representations might showcase economic indicators, the city's infrastructure, and employment rates.
Contrasts could arise when considering social issues such as income inequality or variations in educational attainment.
31
Impact on Lives:
Real impacts include diverse job opportunities, access to educational institutions, and cultural amenities.
Imagined impacts may involve stereotypes or preconceived notions about the city's character and safety.
32
Continuity and Change:
Continuity is evident in Birmingham's historical role as an industrial and manufacturing hub.
Changes involve the post-industrial transformation, emphasizing services, technology, and the creative industries.
33
Northern Powerhouse:
* The government spent £150 billion on health
* The government spent £45 billion on schools
* The government spent £13 billion on transport
* It receives 175,000 business visitors
* It has 8 research universities
* It has a GDP of £350 billion
1/3 of UK apprentices are located here
* 65,000 businesses were set up
It has 15 million consumers
* It has 12 major foreign ports
34
Boston:
* It used to be an old English town which relied on agriculture
* Immigration from the Baltic States, Poland and Eastern Europe led to high numbers of migrants coming to the UK to look for work
* 10% of Boston's population are immigrants
* There is lots of hostility towards the immigrants as the locals feel like they can't get jobs and there is a strain on public services
35
Successful places:
high rates of employment
inward migration (internal and international)
high property prices
skill shortages in both urban and rural areas.
low levels of multiple deprivation
36
High Rates of Employment:
Importance:
- Economic Growth: A high rate of employment is crucial for economic growth. It means that a significant portion of the population is contributing to the workforce, producing goods and services, and generating income.
- Stability and Prosperity: High employment rates contribute to social and economic stability, reducing poverty and enhancing the overall prosperity of the region.
- Consumer Spending: Employed individuals have purchasing power, leading to increased consumer spending. This, in turn, stimulates the local economy and supports businesses.
37
Inward Migration (Internal and International):
Importance:
- Diverse Workforce: Inward migration brings in a diverse pool of talent, skills, and perspectives. This diversity can drive innovation and creativity, making the region more competitive on a global scale.
- Economic Boost: Migrants often contribute to the local economy through employment, entrepreneurship, and consumer spending, fueling economic growth.
- Cultural Vibrancy: Internal and international migration can enrich the cultural fabric of a region, fostering a vibrant and dynamic community.
38
. Low Levels of Multiple Deprivation:
Importance:
- Quality of Life: Low levels of deprivation contribute to a higher quality of life for residents. Access to education, healthcare, and a safe living environment enhances well-being.
- Social Cohesion: Addressing deprivation helps build social cohesion by reducing inequalities. A more equitable society is generally more stable and cohesive.
- Attractiveness: Regions with low deprivation levels are more attractive to potential residents, investors, and businesses, contributing to sustained growth.
39
High Property Prices:
Importance:
- Economic Indicator: High property prices can be indicative of a strong and prosperous economy. It reflects high demand for housing and a competitive real estate market.
- Wealth Creation: Rising property values can contribute to wealth creation for homeowners, stimulating consumer spending and investment.
- Funding for Infrastructure: Property taxes based on high property values can generate revenue for public infrastructure projects, benefiting the community.
40
Skill Shortages in Both Urban and Rural Areas:
Importance:
- Innovation and Productivity: A region with a skilled workforce is more likely to be innovative and productive. Skilled workers contribute to technological advancements and improved business efficiency.
- Competitive Edge: Skill shortages can create competition for talent, driving businesses to invest in training and development to attract and retain skilled professionals.
- Balanced Development: Skill shortages in both urban and rural areas promote balanced regional development, preventing urban-centric growth and ensuring that opportunities are distributed more evenly.
41
