Topic 1 - Gibraltar Flashcards
What is the descriptive approach to Gibraltar?
- Gibraltar is identified by its unique characteristics:
- Peninsular - meaning that the sea can be seen almost everywhere, giving a mediterranean feel
- The rock of Gibraltar
- The ‘old town’ center comprising of townhouses built upon hills creating narrow alleyways and architectural influences by the Spanish, Genoese and British
- Large community squares like piazza and casemates
What is the social constructionist approach to Gibraltar?
- Gibraltar was used as a military fortress by British so population made up of British soldiers
- Locals may have lived around soldiers
- Now there are many businesses set up and local life consists of working and enjoying recreational activities
- Now, Gibraltar can be seen as a melting pot of cultures carrying out businesses and lesuire
What is the phenomenological approach to Gibraltar?
- The attachment that older people have may be stronger than the younger people
- Due to evacuations and the border closure, they tend to get more emotional in celebrating Gibraltar’s culture
- Younger people may be influenced by other cultures via the media will mean that there attachment to Gibraltar is not as intense
- Migrant workers will have a fondness of Gibraltar as they are grateful for their job and have friendly relationships with locals
- Some Spanish workers may feel unwelcomed due to tension or resentfulness due to the difference in standard of life between Gibraltar and La Linea.
What are the endogenous factors contributing to Gibraltar’s character?
- Land use
- Built environment
- Infrastructure
- Architecture
How does land use contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Gibraltar is an urban area with high density buildings for finance and gaming industries
- As a peninsular, Gibraltar developed into a coastal town, first attracting merchant traders and now a flourishing tourist industry
- Its importance as a dock remains today very strongly as fueling ships is a major economic feature
How does built environment contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Sieges and world wars have marked the urban landscape with city defence like walls, moles, bastions and batteries
- The upper town remains the Spanish street pattern adopted during Gibraltar’s siege
- Contrasts with the high-rise, large scale residential apartments on western reclaimed land that houses the population
How does infrastructure contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
Gibraltar’s town center is located on the Western side of the rock and is densely populated
- It has complex communications and sewers networks, as well as an international airport with networks to several cities in the UK
- Gibraltar has a protestant and Catholic cathedral among 7 parish churches as well as 2 mosques, 4 synagogues and a Hindu temple
- 2 sports stadiums to host home games
How does oversea investment contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Flows of investment by finance and online gaming industries has influenced characteristics like high-rise buildings to accomodate MNCS
- There is also a large workforce from overseas places like Phillipines as well as polish workers in betting companies
- Hospitals, housing estates, schools and more has made Gibraltar look a certain way, influencing its character
How do migrants contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Morrocan grocers and barbers are still in Gibraltar
- There are migrants from all over the world now
- New dishes brung from migrants
- Music, literature and clothing brung
- Their presence can influence buildings
How does architecture contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Genoese influences e.g. wooden shutters in old town houses are different to those in Spain
- Georgian and victorian influence with barracks Saint Josephs and Saint Mary’s school
- Moorish influence with the moorish castle
- Spanish and English influence, e.g. walls, bastions nd counter guards
How does Spain and the Mediterranean contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Gibraltar’s relative location to Spain means that workers will Spain will work in Gibraltar and spend their money in Spain
-Spanish influences like food, music and language has helped shape Gibraltar - Genoese influence with blinds over windows
How does tourism contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Tourism is one of Gibraltar’s main economic driving force
- 12 million visitors a year means its a major economic strength and gives a vibrant buzz to the city
- Tourism creates more jobs in hotels, upper rock tours, dolphin tours and resteraunts which generates more money
- Tourists in 2018 approached £274 million
What are the exogenous factors that contribute to Gibraltar’s character?
- Spain and Mediteranean
- Tourism
- Overseas investment
- Migrants
What conflict was faced in Gibraltar?
- 1967 Gibraltar sovereignty referendum
- 99.64% voted British and 0.36% voted Spanish
- Six Gibraltarian lawyers published a letter on 15 March 1968, advocating settlement with Spain
- They had met with Spanish foreign affairs and that provoked widespread public hostility
- 6 April; 1000 people rioted and attacked property - police lost control with 22 police injured
How did ocean village change? (rebranding/regeneration)
- The area was mainly a residential area with flats overlooking a small marina
- The marina was fairly run down with corner shops, a diving gear rental shop and an art studio
- The land reclamation project was completed in October 2009
- This project consisted of residential apartments, a 323 berth marina, office complex, eateries, bars, a mini supermarket and two casinos
