Spaces And Places

Question 1

What is the difference between a space and a place?

Answer 1

A place is somewhere that has meaning or emotional attachment to someone, whilst a space exists between places, but can become a place if meaning is found. If someone becomes familiar with a space, it will become a place. Someone’s space is another persons place.

Question 2

What does the identity of a place refer to?

Answer 2

The real or perceived characteristics of a geographical space which has been shaped by people and physical processes over time. Places may have contrasting identities in the eyes of different people.

Question 3

What are the 6 characteristics used to describe the identity of a place?

Answer 3

Physical geography, built environment, demographics, sociology-economic, cultural, political

Question 4

What is a place profile?

Answer 4

A detailed description of the characteristics that make up a place identity.

Question 5

How should places not be viewed as?

Answer 5

Static or frozen in time. Should consider the varying factors which have influenced the current identity.

Question 6

What other factors should be considered with places?

Answer 6

Past history, migration of people, changes in communications, connections with other places, changes in economic activity.

Question 7

Describe the physical geography of Barton

Answer 7

Flat land with a low topography (20m above sea level).
Close to the CBD and sit in the inner city region.
River Severn is 1.2 miles away from Barton - inland.
Bedrock geology comprised of the lias group - mudstone, siltstone, limestone, and sandstone.
Superficial deposits = Cheltenham sand and gravel.

Question 8

Describe the physical geography of Northleach

Answer 8

Higher topography (150-200m a over sea level) lying in a valley.
Close proximity to River Leach - some areas liable to flooding.
Good drainage as permeable surfaces and trees surrounding - rural.
Bedrock geology - Great Oolite group - sandstone, Cotswold limestone, argillaceous rocks.
Closest to Gloucester + Cirencester and Cheltenham are 10-13 miles away.

Question 9

Describe the built environment of Barton

Answer 9

Some Victorian buildings.
Red brick and stone buildings.
High density, terraced housing is a grid layout, due to being built for factory workers during the Industrial Revolution. Some flats above shops, particularly in Barton Street.
Widden primary school, Masijid E Noor Mosque, GL1, barbers, takeaways, newsagents.

Question 10

Describe the built environment of Northleach

Answer 10

Many built using Cotswold limestone - mainly semi-detached or detached housing. Some terraced with older properties close to the town centre.
Houses near the centre are in Burgage plots. Linear road down the centre of this, with smaller lanes off of this.
Narrower roads further from the centre due to becoming more rural.
Pubs/ restaurants, Black Cat Cafe, Gallery 9, Butchers, Post Office, St Pauls and St Peters Church (Cathedral of the Cotswolds).

Question 11

How do population characteristics of Barton influence the built environment?

Answer 11

23.1% are Muslim = Masijid E Noor Mosque and a Halal butchers. 40% have no car so this needs to be in walking distance.
24.2% aged 0-15 = Widden primary school + Islamic girls school.
Only 37.9% in full time employment = lower houses prices of £110 000 - cheaper due to lower incomes.
40% no car = Railway - goes to Bristol and Cheltenham. Bus depot next to this as well - provides form a transport.
38.9% aged 20-44 = GL1 - younger pop. more active.
25.8% no qualification = results in crime - 266 for Sept. 2021 - resort to desperate measures to get money.

Question 12

How do population characteristics of Northleach influence the built environment?

Answer 12

71.2% Christian = St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church - close for local people.
23.4% 65+ = Northleach Court Care Home.
18% under 15 = Northleach Primary School.
23.45 65+ = Cotswold Medical Practise (GP) + pharmacy - need healthcare since older and more convenient close by.
68.4% full time employment = spend more money e.g Gallery 9, Deli/butchers, Black Cat Cafe, Ox Wine House. House prices higher at £452 913.

Question 13

What is meant by cultural characteristics?

Answer 13

Religion, local traditions, local clubs and societies, e.g. WI

Question 14

How does the cultural aspects of Barton link with other characteristics?

Answer 14

No library in the ward = 25.8% with no qualification - no resources to use.
Friendship Cafe = 30.8% of people aged 45-65+
GL1 = 57.7% aged 5-44 - younger - more active.
African-Caribbean Association = 8.9% black.
Barton Community Centre = 17.9% aged 5-19 - mix/socialise in youth clubs.

Question 15

How do the cultural characteristics of Northleach link to other characteristics?

Answer 15

Mobile library = 23.4% 65+ - more time to read due to retirement.
Women’s Institute = 992 females (54%)
Mother’s Union = 28.1% aged 20-44 -normal age to be mother’s.
Doctors surgery = 23.4% aged 65+

Question 16

How do Barton and Northleach differ in culture? How does this link to the built environment?

Answer 16

Culture reflects the demographic, which is reflected in the built environment, and therefore the events taking place. Barton is more multicultural due to a wide ethnic diversity, whilst Northleach is more monocultural, due to having less diversity. This means shops and buildings reflect this slack of diversity in Northleach.

Question 17

What is the difference between Conservatives and Labour?

Answer 17

Conservatives support the progression of the economy and capitalism, more laissez-faire. Majority in South, Midlands and rural areas. Mainly over 40s and those with no qualifications vote for them.
Labour support the people and the working class. Northern England, South Wales. Well-educated and under 40s vote for them.

Question 18

What constituencies are in Barton?

Answer 18

1 Conservative, 2 Labour

Question 19

What constituencies are in Northleach?

Answer 19

Liberal Democrat’s (Cotswold District Council)

Question 20

Name some local action groups, and their aims

Answer 20

CAMSA =campaign against motorway service area - groups of residents from Upton and Brookthorpe who did not support the construction of the new M5 Gloucester Service. Ensured the buildings blend into the landscape.
Friends of Gloucester Park = supported new development of the skate park in Basildon ward, 2021.
Totnes, Devon = refused Costa in the town, to support independent shops and cafes.

Question 21

What are the most important historical events for Barton?

Answer 21

Pre 1900 = 1821-31 lots of housing built. Canals built, leading to the construction of the Gloucester Docks, which required workers, leading to the building of terraced housing.
20th century = Commonwealth immigration since 1950s - UK needed workers post-war to recover from the economic crash. Saw the development of special industries and amenities for workers in Gloucester.
21st century = In-migration of Eastern European’s in 2004, after many joined the EU allowing free movement - many local shops demonstrating this multicultural society - Spago Creperia, Biedranki etc

Question 22

What are the most historical events for Northleach?

Answer 22

Pre 1900 = Wool trade, which lead to an increase in coaching stops. However they entered a Tim of bust as the industry lost importance. Saw the creation of burgage plots as a result, so sheep grazing could happen close to peoples homes. Triangular formation with 2 roads extending away. John Fortey, a wool merchant, donated to the development of the church whilst Hugh Westwood, local farmer and landowner, established Westwoods Grammar school in 1559. John Dutton built almshouses - housing fo elderly.
20th century = 1984 bypass built, which led to additional housing which was more modern. Faced in Cotswold limestone, but more modern-style.
21st century = More independent shops e.g. Black Cat Cafe, Gallery 9, Ox Wine house etc. Reflects high income of demographic (£450 000 average house price) and residents can afford to eat out and support local shops.

Question 23

What do connections refer to?

Answer 23

Past links, such as events in history, as well as present day links on a local, national and global scale.

Question 24

What do flows refer to?

Answer 24

The movement of people, money, ideas and technology.

Question 25

How have the flow of people influenced the place identity of Northleach and/or Barton?

Answer 25

Short term movements e.g. commuters = A40 bypass of Northleach, with a route to Cheltenham and Gloucester. Gloucester station in Barton, route to Bristol and Cheltenham.
Medium term movements e.g. students to inner city in university towns, retirees etc. = Northleach has a large elderly population, due to being a desirable location to retire. Reflected in activities e.g. Historical society, bridge club etc.
Long term movements = Commonwealth and Eastern European’s in 2004. Increase in Muslim demographic, and cultural shops.

Question 26

How have flows of resources influenced the place identity of Barton and/or Northleach?

Answer 26

Mining of minerals e.g. coal, gold, iron ore, oil etc. Leading to development of industry. = mining of Cotswold limestone saw the growth of Cotswold towns, like Northleach. Also South West Wales for coal.
Availability of broadband = high in Northleach where people can afford to have it. Makes home-working easy.
Availability (or lack) of suitable natural landscape = Northleach has no river, so no industry form this. Barton has flat land, easy to expand and build upon, so high development of industry.
Depletion of a resource = closure of docks in Gloucester saw loss of industry. Now been regenerated to Gloucester quays and modern housing, increasing retail industry and making it a more desirable location.

Question 27

How have flows of money and investment influenced the place identity of Northleach and /or Barton?

Answer 27

TNC’s choosing to locate or pull out of an area (bring or remove FDI) = Tata investment in Port Talbot Steelworks, Swansea. Provides jobs and income to the local area, as well as the world economy due to demand for steel. Johnston’s Quarry Group in Cotswold limestone invested £1million.
Globalisation = growth of chain stores and restaurants in city centres = Gloucester, Cheltenham - M&S, Primark, Next, Costa, McDonalds.
Private investors/ small businesses choosing to locate in an area or invest in an area = Local businesses e.g. Black Cat Cafe, Gallery 9 etc.
Regional and national gov. invest in an area as part of wider improvements e.g. new road or rail networks = HS2 for Northern England, Gloucester Quays, A40 to link Northleach and the surrounding Cotswolds to Oxford, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Question 28

How have the flows of idea influenced the place identity of Northleach and /or Barton?

Answer 28

Development of new technologies allowing industries and activities to develop = Call centres in Cardiff, Met Office to Exeter, development of car industry in Birmingham.
Growth of high tech industries which allow many places to be part of the knowledge economy = Oxford economic hub - high level / quaternary industry such as biomedical research as well as other R&D.

Question 29

How do regional/local links impact place identity?

Answer 29

Transport and communication links = access to regional shopping centres, theatres, sporting events in Oxford/Cheltenham from Northleach. Northleach has not grown as much as Moreton in Marsh as no train line.
Nearby urban areas = A40 connects Northleach to Oxford, Cheltenham and Gloucester to regional shopping centres, theatres and sporting events.
Regional governance = Not allowing new housing estates in Northleach prior to the construction of the bypass in 1984.

Question 30

How do national links influence place identity?

Answer 30

Nationally important employers = Harrell Campus, South Oxfordshire, Oxford Economic Hub, location of GCHQ in Cheltenham attracts employees.
National government policies = gov decision to close coal mines in 1980s under Thatcher - privatisation -decline of communities. Planned HS2 route from B’ham to Manchester /Leeds.

Question 31

How do global links influence place identity?

Answer 31

Global retailers = Honda closed factory in Swindon.
Global tourism = tourism boosts economy e.g. Oxford; Cotswolds (Northleach, Bourton on the Water).
Inward migration of people fro oversees = In-migration from sub-continent and Eastern Europe to Barton.
Ease (or not) of access to an international airport = Pinewood studios located near Heathrow - enable specialists to fly in and then travel a short distance.