1.A- Lansdown place profile

Question 1

what shapes Lansdown’s place profile?

Answer 1

• not many shops - residential area
• family oriented, private schools, affluence
• physical geography
• built environment

Question 2

how does physical geography shape Lansdown place profile?

Answer 2

• hills=lots of cars and buses when people move around
• south facing hill = sun = more appeal for people to live there. Views
• hierarchy - wealthier people historically live higher up to get away from busy centre
• chalk ridges
• green space (in a green belt)

Question 3

how does built environment shape Lansdown place profile?

Answer 3

• iconic, attractive, affluent
• georgian. large, detached and also lots of terraces lower down
• much of lansdown is heavily protected greenfield land, including the approach golf course, playing fields and fields.
• relatively few shops in Lansdown. predominantly affluent houses and residential areas
• 2 independent schools and campus for Bath Spa
• royal cresent typifies carefully planned environemnt
• arguably the most exclusive area in Bath financially
• ensleigh development will bring 300 more people to the area (pressure for more shops)

Question 4

what is the demographic profile of Lansdown?

Answer 4

• 72% of residents are economically active (a little below national avg)
• main jobs are ‘professional’ and “managers/senior officials”
• majority White total (93%)
• only 8% Black and minority ethnic
• middle class, family oriented.

Question 5

what is the socio-economic profile of Lansdown?

Answer 5

• 68% in employment (53% employees, 14% self employed)
• all statistics a little below average nationally
• 14.1% of those economically inactive are students (27% overall)
• majority in “very good health” (above national avg)

Question 6

what is the cultural profile of Lansdown?

Answer 6

• Lansdown Tennis Club, Golf Club and Cricket Club (catered typically to older, white males)
• 52.6% Christian, 36.2% no religion, very small minorities in other religions (Sikh-0.0%)
• 91.0% main language = English
• 6.6% main language not english
• associated w/ Bath

Question 7

what is the political profile of Lansdown?

Answer 7

• Lib Dems representatives
• Lansdown Crescent Association -> very white. trying to “conserve and enhance the amenities of Lansdown Crescent”
• green belt protected

Question 8

what are the natural characteristics of Lansdown?

Answer 8

• Bath lies in a deep valley w/ steep slopes all around, rising to almost level flat-topped plateux at Lansdown (NW)
• varied geology has also provided a variety of rock resources and different topographical regions
• Bath stone = gave Bath a distinctive “looks” = UNESCO World Heritage Status
• Green belt

Question 9

what are the past connections of Lansdown?

Answer 9

• “Battle of Lansdowne” fought in the vicinity (1643).
• Beckford’s Tower - neo-classical style for William Thomas Beckford in 1827 (example of wealthy land owners)
• Bath stone has been quarried since Roman times (used to build most of Lansdown buildings)
• the area developed slowly in the 1700s as Bath became known as a spa town
• grew in the 1800s w/ development of canals and more imp. railway which was built to transport Bath stone to London

Question 10

what are the present connections of Lansdown?

Answer 10

• UNESCO world heritage status
• fully enclosed by a green belt, prevents urban sprawl
• new housing development
• schools (2 independent schools)
  > seasonality
• park and ride
• hare and hounds
• bridgerton

Question 11

what are the changing flows of Lansdown?

Answer 11

• green belt designation has halted development in this area
• although there is a new housing estate being built at the northern end of Lansdown which has been heavily protested by local people as it will bring an influx of people who will need services which currently do not exist in Lansdown
• land is owned by private individuals although Kingswood and RH schools own considerable portions
• lack of development and desirability of location means that the area has become very affluent, to the exclusion of poorer people, thus shaping the demographics and socio-economic status of the place
• physical location (on a hill above town) gives it a somewhat ‘rarefied status” as it is ‘above’ the industry and hustle and bustle of the city.