Changes in Functions & Demographic Characteristics Flashcards
As places develop, the characteristics change:
Accessibility, connections and government policies can change the place’s function. It can change between administration, commercial, retail or industry
what type of things alter the demographics
Gentrification, age structures and ethnic compositions alter the demographics
The different functions of a location affect the
employment opportunities, businesses and industries, and the built environment
Administrative function
These are places that make decisions about how to organise infrastructure and economic activity for the surrounding areas e.g. council offices
Tend to be urban areas that influence the region surrounding them, e.g. Manchester’s influence in the North West
Commercial function
A location with strong business influence. Transnational Corporations (TNCs) may have bases there
There is a large volume of small and large-scale businesses e.g. legal services, accountants
Retail function
An urban area with attractive retail facilities - markets, shopping centres, unique shops
The retail industry is the main source of income and employment for locals
Industrial function
A location whose economy and reputation is predominantly based on its industrial capacity
E.g. Sheffield is known as the Steel City for its large industries of steelworks
One of these functions may dominate a place, but there is more likely to be a combination of them all
A place’s dominant function is also likely to change over time as the economic needs change:
The increased use of online banking and shopping, and click-and-collect (exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic) has led to some places losing their ……… function, resulting in economic decline
retail
Industrial land in Middlesbrough has declined over the last 50 years due to
factory closures in the iron and steel industry
In Reading, the commercial function has grown and several large TNCs have bases there e.g.
Microsoft and Intel
