CORNWALL case study Flashcards
What type of regeneration took place?
Diversification and leisure led regeneration
Why was there a need for regeneration? (evidence needed)
- Major industries were in decline,
- farming industry faced falling revenues as supermarkets seek the lowest prices and over competition from other EU countries mean they are in low demand (dairy)
- fishing industry facing decline as overfishing has meant that young cod don’t live till they are old enough to reproduce. The national trout trust is disdained by the governments lack of action as fish populations fall year on year (Cod up to 87%)
- tin and copper mining has declineded due to decreased abundance of minerals and over competition in Eastern Asia where prices are much lower. This means revenue has collapsed and the last mine closed in 1998.
- poor transport meant industry wasnt inclined to set up here
Who were the stakeholders involved in the regeneration?
“-local government were involved as they helped decide on what the major role of the enterprise zone was- Newquay aerohub.
- national government helped source funding and decided on where the enterprise zone would be in the peripheral area
- local interest groups wanted to ensure local businesses would survive?”
What conflicts occurred between the stakeholders?
-jobs at the aerohub required qualifications few people in the area had so didn’t cater for the community
What was done for the economy, people and environment?
“ECONOMIC
-the enterprise zone performed well as new industries moved into the aerohub (e.g. Airbus and Apple Aviation) providing more jobs for local people whilst also attracting professionals from core regions who were highly educated in their fields. This was good for the people but also the economy as an increased tax revenue was seen which could be reinvested into local services improving the QOL
ENVIRONMENTAL
-environmentally it was poor as there was increased air paraffin in the area which increased the carbon output of the area
SOCIAL
-increased tourism to the area as leisure activities were improved. Cornwall hosted surfing championships with international participants
-farm diversification led to selling authentic food like Cornish pasties and cheese also boosting tourism
-aerohub provided jobs for highly skilled workers meaning outsiders took the majority of the jobs so people with fewer qualifications didn’t reap the rewards”
What was done to rebrand the area?
“-they tried to reimaging the area as an aerohub, attracting a niche market which wasn’t entirely successful as not many industries could fit the description however they did see investment from the private sector who were trying to diversify Cornwall’s revenue away from tourism, this worked to an extent as the clustering and agglomeration of industries took place
- the area also managed to reduce the extremity of its rurality moving from an extreme rural area to an intermediate rural area on Clokes index
- the rebranding was not as essential as it was for other urban case studies because the regeneration had a larger focus on catering for the local community even if this wasn’t entirely successful
Was the regeneration a success? (evidence needed)
Economic:
• Cornwall has emerged as an aero hub leading to the clustering and agglomeration of aircraft related industries, increasing innovation by making it easier to collaborate on ideas and increasing output by helping to keep transport costs low. This was fuelled by increased accessibility e.g. Newquay airport for both commercial and tourist use. A partnership has also been formed between Cornwall’s council and private investors who aim to diversity the economy away from tourism.
• The nature of the air-craft related industry being quite high tech has helped to attract a highly educated workforce to the area to facilitate roles such as pilots and engineers. This means the economic sector of Cornwall now lends itself primarily towards the tertiary and even quaternary sector, both of which stereotypically pay more. This generates a greater tax revenue for the local council meaning as a stakeholder the government will be happy.
• EU recognised Cornwall as being less economically developed and therefore catalysed its emergence as an enterprise zone in 2014. The EU Objective One project has also supported 580 of Cornwall’s projects with their net investment reaching 3230 billion. The benefits associated with this status helped to attract TNC’s and investment into the area spurring Myrdle’s Model of Cumulative Causation. For example, until 2005 Cornwall had the fastest growth rate of any EU region.
• Yet Cornwall’s enterprise status has meant it has had to compete with other areas for funding and has also had to pass concessions with businesses in order to guarantee their investment. This may limit the scale of success.
• The desire to diversify Cornwall’s economy away from tourism and primary industries may have put local enterprises in these sectors out of businesses meaning residents may be less supportive of the regeneration.
Social:
• More educated and qualified workforce in the area which has increased local tax revenue has led to more social spending and therefore improved quality of services (e.g. healthcare and education) for local residents.
• Through the Combined University set up through the joining of two previous establishments which offer degree courses and help students set up their own businesses. The improved education and job opportunity through the aero hub have helped to prevent a brain drain.
• However, despite a form of studentification in Cornwall creating a thriving night life and evening economy of bars and restaurants, it has shifted the focus away from the previous perception of a Cornwall being tranquil rural environment. For the elderly, who retire here, this may mean services are no longer tailored towards their needs and so they may benefit little. Students are often also quite transient and therefore have less engagement in the area. This can reduce the sense of community and also mean that in certain areas the threshold population may not be met.
• World’s largest rural fibre network whereby 95% have access to fibre broadband- the first British county to have this. This provides an incentive for investors but also improves connectiveness for residents and their lifestyle.
• Despite lots of jobs being created many were simply displaced from the public sector into the private sector and therefore for locals who have limited qualifications and cannot alternate these labour shortages, this may increase unemployment.
Environmental:
• Increased accessibility and a focus on aircraft related industries have led to a proportionate rise in emissions and therefore air pollution in the area. This can have repercussions in regard to climate change but also respiratory conditions.
• The built environment has improved its aesthetic appeal as previous derelict land has now been transformed into well-built infrastructure. However, this has changed its position in Coke’s index of rurality and therefore its function whilst also disrupting habitats and consuming previously untouched greenbelt land.
• Noise pollution from plane access routes cannot disrupt the tranquillity of resident’s rural lifestyle
• Increased tourism through things like the Eden project leads to more litter and therefore environmental damage.
-formal perceptions viewed by national government display extreme success as economic output, income and employment rates increased. However informal perceptions suggest otherwise as many people felt little was done to boost the less educated populations opportunities
