Changing Places - Unit 3

Question 1

Birmingham’s Big City Plan?

Answer 1

• Launched in September 2010
• Transform 800 hectares of city
• Expanding city code area by over 25%
• 50,000 new jobs
• £2.1 billion to economy each year

Question 2

What is re-urbanisation?

Answer 2

The movement of people back into urban areas that have previously experienced out-migration

Question 3

What is gentrification?

Answer 3

The displacement of working class populations in an area as more affluent people move in

Question 4

Name a case study of inner city redevelopment, re-urbanisation and gentrification

Answer 4

Brindley Place

Question 5

Describe the background of the project

Answer 5

• By 1970’s, the site has become extremely run-down and dominated by derelict factories, due to deindustrialisation
• In 1987, a £200+ million redevelopment program was started by Birmingham City Council to regenerate the 15 hectare site into a premium leisure, commercial and residential area
• Office buildings and leisure developments created over 10,000 jobs
• Contained 143 new houses and apartments in the symphony court development

Question 6

Describe employment as an economic change

Answer 6

• The regenerated part of Ladywood, in Brindley Place, has 1% lower unemployment levels than the National Average level
• The undeveloped part of Ladywood has over 4X the amount of people who are unemployed compared to England average, and 6X higher levels of unemployment compared to Brindley place
• The reason for this is that the Brindley place area offers a wealth of employment opportunities in the tertiary industry in particular – including office work, banking work and restaurant work. The undeveloped part of Ladywood is suffering from high levels of deprivation and lack of employment opportunities, there are very few jobs available and those that are low paid and low skilled

Question 7

Describe property prices as an economic change

Answer 7

• Property price increase in the redeveloped area
• A 2 bedroom apartment in King Edwards Wharf is now £325,000, over 4x the price of a similar building outside the redeveloped area

Question 8

Describe the local multiplier effect around Brindley Place as an economic change

Answer 8

• The local multiplier effect refers to the growth in a component of the local economy from an initial investment in another part of the economy
• E.g. in Broad Street:
  In 1970s/1980s it was a suburban high street with a mixture of shops and services
  Due to the redevelopment of Brindley Place, this central part of Birmingham became a focal point for Financial Businesses and Business Conventions
• The growth coupled with the influx of a highly paid, young professional population (gentrification)
• Increase in spending in leisure/entertainment sectors
• During 1990s, Broad Street was transformed into a dynamic convention, entertainment and nightlife quarter
• 3 major radio stations are located there, including Heart FM

Question 9

Describe the conflict associated with re-urbanisation and gentrification

Answer 9

• As traditional working class areas change due to re-urbanisation and gentrification, conflict can occur between the long term residential groups and incomers
• Working class are displaces and local businesses shut as more affluent people move in
• Cost of rent increase significantly, which may mean people need to move (filtering). This can cause further conflict/crime between classes
• E.g. Shoreditch, East London - anti-gentrification protests and attacks
• Masked protesters outside cafe throwing paint, vandalising and breaking glass
• Local residents feel that the wealthy newcomers have forced up house prices and changed traditional characteristics of area
• Bowl of cereal costs up to £5.50

Question 10

Why do some central urban area experience continued decline?

Answer 10

• ‘Out of town’ shopping centres (e.g. Merry Hill)
• Retail competition from internet (e.g. Amazon)
• Large CBS retail redevelopment schemes in nearby settlements (e.g. Bullring)

Question 11

What advantages are offered over traditional high street shopping?

Answer 11

• Modern purpose built premises
• Plentiful free parking
• Good accessibility
• Safe and clean environment

Question 12

Name a case study of an urban area that has experienced continued decline

Answer 12

Dudley Town Centre, West Midlands

Question 13

Background of Dudley Town Centre

Answer 13

• Dudley High Street in the 1970s contained many large department stores, such as Debenhams, as well as a range of ‘high street’ stores, such as Marks and Spencer’s.
• Today, none of these stores remain
• Much of Dudley’s High Street is dominated by vacant premises (more than 100) or low value discount type stores

Question 14

Explain 1 reason why Dudley’s Town Centre has declined

Answer 14

• Merry Hill and Waterfront (out of town developments)
• Merry Hill was constructed between 1985 and 1989, covering 125 acres
• It has 220 stores, 28 catering outlets
• 7,000 free car parking spaces
• 98 buses per hour drive through
• Employs more than 4,000 staff
• The Waterfront is located 600m from Merry Hill, constructed between 1990 and 1994, covering 60 acres
• 4 star Copthorne Hotel with 138 rooms and 600 seat conference centre
• Bars/restaurants along canal sides
• Employs over 3,000 people

Question 15

Explain another reason why Dudley’s Town Centre has declined

Answer 15

• Retail and transport developments in Birmingham
• The Bullring - contains 160 shops, attracts 40 million shoppers every year
• The Metro, rail system connects Wolverhampton with Birmingham Centre