Case study of one country or region that has been impacted by structural economic change (Birmingham)

Question 1

Socio-economic Characteristics before the economic change

Answer 1

Majority of people are involved in the primary and secondary sectors e.g. metal working/ smelting/ blacksmiths

Question 2

Demographic Characteristics before the economic change

Answer 2

Described as ‘swarming with inhabitants and echoing with the noise of anvils’ - i.e. large population continuing to grow

Question 3

Cultural Characteristics before the economic change

Answer 3

Limited range of culture

Question 4

Environmental Characteristics before the economic change

Answer 4

No burning of fuels taking place therefore no smog. Use of watermills had minimal environmental impacts

Question 5

Economic changes that took place between 12th and 19th centuaries

Answer 5

• Considerable growth in economy as the area industrialised. Birmingham was a hub for production and manufacturing e.g. guns, jewellry, buttons and brass industries.
• Factories in food and metal sector established to supply the growing population demands
  -Cadbury family set up Bournville factory and the model village for workers in the SE area
  -As industry and trade developed, insurance and legal firms flocked to the area to finace and control the companies e.g. Lloyds and Midlands bank
  -Transport developed alongside industrial growth e.g. National canal network and London to B’ham railway opened in 1838

Question 6

Role of players involved in driving the change between 12th and 19th centuaries

Answer 6

1. Birmingham family purchased a royal charter in 1166 allowing them to hold a market - Birmigham began to grow as a result of the trade being established
2. Matthew Bauton moved the industrial base of the town forward. He was an entrepreneur and engineer who established the first factory in the world in 1761 - the ‘Soho’ manufacturing brought in 700 jobs

Question 7

Socio-economic impacts on the people and place

Answer 7

The service sector (3’ & 4’) developed e.g Law and Banking, encouraging the middle classes to grow. Wage differentials due to presence of different sectors led to inequality and differentiated housing areas based upon status

Question 8

Demographic impacts on the people and place

Answer 8

Population grew to 15,000 in 1700’s and there were high rates of rural-urban migration

Question 9

Cultural impacts on the people and place

Answer 9

Largely white population - there was segregation between groups

Question 10

Environmental impacts on the people and place

Answer 10

Industrial revolution produced more pollutants and smog resulting in worsening of health. Amount of green space was reduced due to construction of buildings.

Question 11

Socio-economic Characteristics of Birmingham in 1950’s & 1960’s

Answer 11

Sustained economic growth, especially in the vehicle and enginerring industries, up until the war with unemployment below 1%

Question 12

Demographic Characteristics of Birmingham in 1950’s & 1960’s

Answer 12

Continuous population growth throughout the first half of the 20th centuary from natural increase within the city and immigration from rural areas.

Question 13

Cultural Characteristics of Birmingham in 1950’s & 1960’s

Answer 13

White in origin until the 1950’s when there was a significant international in-migration in inner city areas. Most migrants being from Caribbean, South Asia and the Far East

Question 14

Environmental Characteristics of Birmingham in 1950’s & 1960’s

Answer 14

Decades of industrial activity left canals and air polluted. High density housing in the inner city e.g. Aston and Handsworth, led to overcrowing and a decline in health

Question 15

Economic changes that took place in the second half of the 20th centuary

Answer 15

-Bullring redevelopment in 1960’s & University
- Creation of HS2, New Street Station and Motorway
- Public spaces regenerated e.g. centenary square, town hall etc. refurbished. Physical change acted as a catalyst for socio-economic changes

Question 16

Role of players involved in driving the change between 1950 and 1960’s

Answer 16

. Japanese car manufacturers made significant inroads into the British car market during the 1970’s as their products were seen as more reliable and better value

. Central UK gov. gave grants to overseas car manufacturers to establish factories in the UK - aimed to attract investment and create employment

.Private investors - at first put off from investing in Birmingham due to instability and decline but recently private sectors have been involed in the redevelopment of Brindley Place etc.

Question 17

Socio-economic impacts on the people and place post 1950’s

Answer 17

During decline, earning fell from highest in UK to lowest of any region and unemployment rose. As economy became more service orientated, flows of commuters increased to work in CBD

Question 18

Demographic impacts on the people and place post 1950’s

Answer 18

Youthful population with 38% 24 yrs or younger. Elderly account for 13%

Question 19

Cultural impacts on the people and place post 1950’s

Answer 19

Now a cosmopolitan city reflected in the various religious buildings present e.g. mosques and temples. Due to presence of various ethnic groups, services diversified to facilitate this

Question 20

Environmental impacts on the people and place post 1950’s

Answer 20

National and local governments were involved in the establishement of a green belt around the city to restrict further expansion. This directly increased the land value.