CSMP - Case Study - Toxteth - Contrasting Place Profiles at Local Scale Flashcards
What is a place profile?
It is the description of a place (‘its story’) based on looking at the characteristics of that area (i.e demographic, physical, built environment, socio-economic). These characteristics can change over time
What are the natural characteristics that define Toxteth? [4]
1) On the banks of the River Mersey - originally for fishing, later a port
2) On the NE coast of England - close to the Atlantic
3) Undulating land
4) Stream running through it
What are the past characteristics that define Toxteth? (6 ideas)
1) Merseyside location led to it being a Saxon fishing village in c11th
2) Undulating land made it key location for hunting ground in C13th for King John
3) Stream running through it - used for farming and damned for water power for cottage industries in C16th
4) Growing port in 18th century (slave trade & shipbuilding)
5) Commuter settlement for middle class early C19th
6) Industrialisation led to grow of terrace housing for working class in docks & factories/exodus of middle class
What are demographic characteristics that define Toxteth? [3]
1) Predominantly white - 78%
2) But long history if immigration - i.e. port brought sailors from Africa & China in c19th & post WW2 migration from Commonwealth to help rebuild economy - Toxteth appealing due to cheap terrace housing & employment opportunities in 60s/70s
3) Younger population - 75% in 16-64 age group
What are built characteristics that define Toxteth? [3]
1) Large houses in Georgian Quarter - built for slave owners in Victorian era
2) Industrialisation = growth of terrace housing for workers
3)Signs of diverse ethnicity - Greek Orthodox Synagogue, Mosque, Caribbean Community Centre
What are socio-economic characteristics that define Toxteth? [3]
1)Has some of most deprived areas in country
2) 37% children living in poverty (above Liverpool & nat. average)
3)Low car ownership (<45% v >70%), few owner-occupiers (<25% v >60%) and low educational attainment in schools (>40% with 5 A*-C at GCSE v >60%)
Example of shifting flows of people in Toxteth [3]
1) Exodus of middle class from Toxteth at end of C19th to r-urban fringe when lots of terrace housing built
2) Migration post WW2 from Commonwealth (i.e. Carribean, India) to Toxteth for work, cheaping housing & established diaspora communities
3) Out migration of wealthier residents/skilled during deindustrialisation (late 80s)
What are some examples of shifting flows of resources (natural/technology) in Toxeth?
1)Technology change (Containerisation) = Mersey became too shallow for big container ships = less dock workers needed = docks shut down (deindustrialisation 70s/80s)
2) Other physical locations favoured Economy became closer with E.U since 80s and so Liverpool port now physically on wrong side of country (esp as trade to Americas declined)- ports in SE became favoured more
What are some examples of shifting flows of resources (money/investment/ideas) in Toxeth?
1) Govt investment in regeneration of dock areas since late 80s (Merseyside Dev. Corp) has helped rebrand area and bring in tertiary jobs (i.e. Tate Liverpool)
2) EU Structural Adjustment funds encouraging new industries in Liverpool (i.e. ‘low carbon sector’ - offshore wind technology farms in Liverpool Bay, Liverpool Science Park - ‘knowledge economy jobs = more quaternary jobs available
