relationships, connections, meaning and representation

Question 1

What is the ‘meaning’ and ‘representation’ of place?

Answer 1

• Meaning relates to individuals or collective perception of place
• Representation is how place is portrayed in society

Question 2

What examples are there of economic factors on the character of place?

Answer 2

• Notting Hill: severe economic divisions between opposite ends of Portland Road (house prices over ten times as much on the south end compared to the north) as a result of endogenous factors such as gentrification and media representation (Notting Hill film)
• Seaside resorts: increase in international holidays led to severe economic decline in seaside resorts (40% of Clacton residents without qualifications)

Question 3

What factors affect the way people perceive places?

Answer 3

• Conflict (Syria)
• Terrorism (Belfast)
• Industrial accidents (Chernobyl)
• Natural disasters (New Orleans)

Question 4

What external forces can bring about change to a place?

Answer 4

• Government policies: can attract businesses to places
• Multinational corporations: Employment or job losses for employees

Question 5

What is an example of continuity in a place?

Answer 5

Bournville: Cadbury family set up schools and hospitals for their employees in the late 19th century and has changed very little, large areas of green space remain as well as traditional Quaker beliefs

Question 6

What is an example of change in a place?

Answer 6

London Docklands (case study)

Question 7

What is place-memory?

Answer 7

The ability of place to make the past come to life in the present such as Museums

Question 8

Why is positive place perception important for national governments?

Answer 8

To attract trade and investment into their countries on an international level

Question 9

Why is place perception important for local governments?

Answer 9

A good reputation and a positive image will increase investment and tourism in an area

Question 10

What agents change can manage the perception of place?

Answer 10

national and local government, corporate bodies and tourist organisations

Question 11

How does place marketing manipulate perception of place?

Answer 11

• May be employed by local or national governments to improve positive perceptions of place for example:
• Weston-super-Mare: adopted advertising campaigns through social media marketing, introduction of the western winter wonderland

Question 12

How does rebranding and reimaging manipulate perception of place?

Answer 12

• Used to discard negative perceptions and images of place and attract people to live and visit (Belfast)
• ‘I Amsterdam’: motto adopted in the rebranding of Amsterdam to capture social media and brands attentions away from previous negative connotations of drugs and prostitution