Topic 4 - Regeneration EQ3 Flashcards
Explain the job of the government regarding inequality?
The uk government is responsible for considering the level of inequality across the country, as disparity between places and regions does not aid overall development of the country - for example there is a widely perceived and evident gap between the north and south of the UK
- plans to address this by developing a ‘northern powerhouse’
Explain why there is a perceived and evident gap between the north and south of the UK?
The south is dominated by the metropolitan region of London, but lack of investment in rail infrastructure in the North East has led to some large inequalities and lack of labour mobility
Give evidence for the north and south divide in the UK?
A 65km journey from Middlesbrough to Newcastle takes 90 min, a journey of the same distance from Essex to London takes only 36 min - this is due to better infrastructure
Spending on infrastructure is £2595 per person per year in London compared to £5 in the north east
Explain some schemes to increase development in the UK by improving and building new infrastructure?
- expanding capacity at Heathrow and Gatwick
- building crossroad to ease congestion in central London
- building HS2 railway
Explain what the northern hub is and the aim of the project?
Is a series of railway improvements of the rail network around Manchester - track has been added to connect manchesters towards main railway station and the airport station south of the city - journey times have been decreased
- government planning for new cheaper,faster electric tracks around the area
Explain the benefits of the northern Hub project in Manchester - give 3?
- implementation of cheaper,faster and longer electric trains
- expected increase in business
- hoped that the £600 million investment will eventually yield economic growth of £2.4 billion
Explain who has the role of making planning descions?
The uk government can make descions that affect the rate and type of development (planning laws,house building targets or permission for ‘fracking’) which in turn affect the economic regeneration in both urban and rural regions
Explain what economic infrastructure is?
economic infrastructure - includes highways, energy distribution, water and sewage facilities and telecommunication network
Explain what social infrastructure is?
social infrastructure - includes public housing, hospitals, schools and universities
Explain the controversy around permitting fracking in the UK?
The UK will be forced to import nearly 70% of its gas by 2020, government regulations are being loosened to make it easier for fracking to be approved - estimates suggest there’s huge amounts of shale gas in the north of England and £300 billion pounds of oil and gas was discovered close to Gatwick airport, this has resulted national interest into investing into these sources however there are complications
Explain 3 problems around shifting to fracking?
- Potential mining sites are often found beneath large cities, valuable farmland and national parks - drilling in Blackpool led to minor earthquakes causing a temporarily suspension
- national parks are mainly owned by the crown - compensation for these using the land is unlikely
- also problems around the. chemicals used polluting waterways
Explain 4 benefits of fracking?
- most fracking sites are in the north - will help with north-south divide
- reduces dependency abroad - produce our own gas
- natural gas is environmentally better then coal
- natural gas spills cause little damage compared to oil spills
Explain the process of fracking?
well stimulation technique involving the fracturing of formations in bedrock by a pressurized liquid (mixture of water,sand and chemicals)The process involves the high-pressure injection of “fracking fluid” into a wellbore to create cracks in the deep-rock formations through which natural gas, petroleum, and brine will flow more freely
Explain what HS2 railway is, give the aim of the project?
new high-speed railway which trains will provide zero-carbon journeys between the UK’s two largest cities, Birmingham and London, with services continuing on to Manchester, the North West and Scotland using the conventional railway network, cutting journey times
- aim of the project is to overcome the north-south divide
Explain the benefits of HS2 talk about congestion?
congestion on the roads reaching an all time high (UK has some of the most congested roads in Europe) so upgrading roads can no longer keep up with the growing vehicle ownership
- costs the uk £22 billion a year in lost time - railway could allow people to work on their laptops
Explain the benefits of HS2, talk about passengers and jobs?
Railway needs upgrading as the passenger count has grown from under a billion in 2002 to 1.65 billion in 2014 - and upgrade will help provide an estimated 60,000 construction jobs and will cut the journey time from London to Birmingham from 80 to 49
Give and explain 3 arguments for HS2 railway?
- existing railways are poor,inefficient and lack the capacity and technology this country requires now and will require in the future - advanced infrastructure is important to keep the economy growing
- need a more aggressive approach to reduce cars and congestion on the roads - to free up the motorways
- can be used to transfer freight more efficiently then on roads
Give and explain 3 arguments against HS2 railway?
- a lot of money spent just to reduce journey times by 40 minutes
- should leave the idea until we are out of financially trouble
- we should focus on other priorities at the moment
Explain the benefits from the deregulation of the UKs financial centre?
- Instead of the London Stock Exchange having a monopoly on all share dealings,
any bank, financial adviser or even individuals could trade in shares - Barriers stopping overseas banks and other financial institutions from setting up
offices in London were also removed. Until then, only UK banks could trade there.
Explain what deregulation allowed and how it benefited the UK economy?
allowed foreign investors to invest in the UK without seeking government approval - results transformed the UKs economy to the extent that banking,finance and business services now account for for 30% of the UKs GDP
- made it easier for companies to locate to the UK and for FDI into infrastructure
- reason why Londons lawyer,accountant and consultant industry is worth 95 billion
Explain the UKs importantce of being in the European single market, with reference to free labour movements?
When the UK joined the European single market in 1992 it allowed free movement of labour within the EU - UK membership allowed people seeking work from other member countries to enter the UK (and vice versa) - helped balance ageing population
Explain how free labour movement policy has benefited a rural uk town?
lots of migration to rural market towns which have since seen fast growth for example Corby a town with an ageing population and poorly skilled workforce which has since seen many east European entrepreneurs set up businesses including restaurants,bakeries,construction firms and marketing agencies
Give two negatives of deregulations and free labour movement in the UK?
• increasing population could put strain on the NHS and housing
• Builds reliance on companies that may leave
Give two positives of deregulations and free labour movement in the UK?
• allowed FDI without government approval - more wealth coming into the UK
• improved the economy - 15% growth in banking,finance and business serves
explain how a government proposed levy created regeneration in the docklands?
Financial regulation is now tighter which makes it hard for banks to make risky business investments, however when some banks like HSBC threatened to leave London for Asia, the government decided to halve a proposed banking levy - some of this wealth has created regeneration in the former docklands which has developed as a financial centre
Explain the role of local governments within an areas development?
Local governments are keen to encourage innovation and investment both from within and by overseas companies, often in partnership with major stakeholders in the area, may use a range of incentives to attract and keep companies that might improve the reputation of the town
Explain the link between local governments and major universities, give an example?
Cities and towns have worked with major universities like Cambridge to focus on the commercialism of research, by ensuring that the right infrastructure is in place to allow for established technology companies and innovative start-ups
- eg telecommunication and power supply,banking services
Explain what a science park is, how does it benefit an area?
is an area devoted to scientific research or development of technological businesses - its a good thing from an area due to the investment it attracts
Explain how Cambridge has used its scientific expertise to increase wealth across the region?
Cambridge science park and the St John’s innovation centre opened with both start-up companies and large TNCS (AstraZeneca,Toshiba and Microsoft) which all based themselves in the park allowing them to benefit from the technological expertise at the university
Explain how oxford is trying to to catch up development similar to the likes of areas like Cambridge?
recently started building large numbers of new houses - as well as playing a much larger role in decision making, for example Victorian and post-war buildings are being replaced by new buildings and the Oxford and Begbroke science parks (both linked to oxford university) have been built in the city outskirts which host many companies
- £500 million shopping centre and a second railway line to London have just opened
Explain an impact of the high housing prices in oxford, how has the area tried to counter the problem?
Oxford has only just started building large numbers of new houses however the price of the housing is on average 11 times the local earnings which is discouraging world-leading academics from moving to oxford university
Explain the significance of Oxford science park to the development of the region?
Oxford science park hosts many start up bioscience and computer hard and software companies - the return on this investment justified more development with the replacement of west gate car park with a £500 million shopping centre and a second railway line to London
Explain the role of the council in local decision making - give an example?
Major regeneration projects need the cooperation of many local interest groups, the job of the local council is to take the lead in ensuring the projects are successful
- eg local businesses are represented by local chambers of commerce who might want economic growth even if it means demolishing old buildings while the local people may have nostalgic attachment to them and campaign to save them
Explain what the ‘parliamentary select committee’ in 2004 concluded about historic buildings and the role they play in successful regeneration?
Concluded that many successful regeneration schemes should use historic buildings as a foundation for projects because the reinforce a sense of community, make an important contribution to the local economy and act as a catalyst for improvements to the wider area
Regeneration in Aylesbury case study
Explain what the aim of regeneration strategies are?
Hope of the strategies is that they will attract business investment and workers from many different contexts to create vibrant new places in urban and rural areas
- which possibly triggers a cumulative causation (multiplier effect)
Define regeneration?
Investment in an area, perhaps in the form of infrastructure or other elements, hopefully this triggers a process of cumulative causation (multiplier effect) - overall change is described as urban renewal
Define re-imaging?
The area is ‘sold’ or ‘advertised’ with new packaging to change the impression investors have of the area and attracting people to it (eg New York has used slogans to change their image ‘city that never sleeps’, ‘big apple’)
- the nature of rebranding can vary depending on the targets group
Explain the Olympic park development in London?
Following the Olympic Games there was a comprehensive redevelopment of the Olympic park involving two engineering companies (Arun and Atkins) and the construction of new infrastructure
Explain the infrastructure development of the London park, give 3 examples?
- conversion of the Olympic village into 7000 homes
- retail developments (Stratford Westfield’s shopping centre)
- train stations and public art are still in place and key features of the park
Explain the idea behind the design of the Olympic park?
The design of 7000 additional homes on the edge of the park encourages residents to use the extensive cycle and walking trails and to use the leisure and sporting facilities to promote a healthier life
- also benefits for residents like access to top class facilities and tickets to events in the stadium
Explain an economical benefit of the Olympic park?
There are intentions for two companies (including transport for London) to have offices in the park which would create 25,000 jobs
- Unemployment already lowered from 13% to 9% in 2015
Explain future plans to further develop the Olympic park?
Continuing work to convert the Olympic media centre into the ‘east London tech city’ a technology start-up hub creating flexible space for art and design companies to develop new products and share ideas
- plan to open a museum and two universities plan to have campuses here
Give the 4 key themes the Powy regeneration partnership focuses on?
- renewable energy research and development
- economic growth + tourism
- education and skills
- health and well-being of the community
Explain the Powy regeneration, what’s the aim?
Powy straddles a large portion of North and South Wales, Powy council wants to exploit this region of beautiful landscape in order to make the most of opportunities for green tourism, the agricultural industry and the creative industry
- specific focus on renewable energy and development of low-carbon green economy around water and wind
Explain some problems with the Powy region, focus on economical and social problems?
Powy suffers from a skill shortage due to lack of universities and qualifications - this is paired with the emphasis on agriculture and tourism which means many jobs are low-wage and low skilled
Explain how EU structural funds have been used to promote development in the Powy region?
- eu structural funds have been used to encourage more competitive businesses to grow, partly by rejuvenating a local chamber of commerce
Explain the plan to introduce development into the Powy region, what is required?
another aspect of the plans involve harnessing local talent and skills as well as volunteers (area has close to 26,000 with their work contributing 176 million to the local economy)
- Plan revolves around better use of blogs and forums to network people together which requires high speed broadband
Explain how the introduction of high speed, reliable broadband in the Powy region will encourage development and change the population?
High speed broadband will hopefully reverse out-migration of young people and business owners and make home working easier and encourage small business formation and growth as a means of diversification in the rural economy
- two broadband masts have been installed to address black spots
Explain the investment and infrastructure supporting the green energy in the Powy region - what type of investments have been agreed?
EcoDyfi and Cambrian mountains are both initiatives encouraging carbon storage and water regulation - green investment bank is making 1 billion of finance available for research and development into carbon technology (220 million) and renewable heating (860 million) and investment into energy-efficiency in housing (30 million)
explain the players benefiting from regeneration, with focus on visitors (give 2)?
- business visitors who may be attending a conference of sales trip
- non-business visitors who may be tourists or travelling to visit relatives and friends
explain the players benefiting from regeneration, with focus on residents and employees (give 4)?
- professionals (doctors,university teachers ext)
- skilled employees
- investors and entrepreneurs
- semi-skilled and unskilled workers
explain the players benefiting from regeneration, with focus on business and industry (give 3)?
- older heavy industry
- new high-tech industry
- quaternary sector employees
explain the players benefiting from regeneration, with focus on exporters and employees (give 2)?
- international businesses
- international travel companies
Explain what the titanic quarter Belfast is?
One of Europe’s largest waterfront developments, it comprises historic maritime landmarks as well as luxury shops,postmodern workspace architecture and a university campus
- the development focuses on Belfast’s historical shipbuilding notably the construction of the titanic
Explain how the titanic quarter Belfast facilitates tourism and give evidence on its success?
There is the superb architectural titanic Belfast visitor centre which saw a million visitors in its first year of opening (70% outside of Ireland, who primarily came to visit the centre) the project won the top prize in the uk ‘regeneration and renewal awards’ in 2012
Evaluate the success of the titanic quarter Belfast, provide evidence and explain?
Deloitte’s were commissioned to evaluate the success of of the project and concluded that £105 million of additional tourism had resulted, sustaining 893 additional jobs in the Belfast economy
- demands for flats in the area, have outstripped supply
- An outdoors art venue are now based in the area
Explain why there has been a decrease in wealth and lack of regeneration in the titanic quarter Belfast region?
Due to past socio-political unrest (eg the troubles) there has been limited investment from outside, in a desire for sustainability they have taken a range of rebranding strategies
Explain 3 economical factors of the titanic quarter Belfast?
- the older ‘paint halls’ have found a new use as film studios - involved in filming of game of thrones (titanic studios is one of the largest in Europe)
- since 2006 the titanic quarter has attracted over 100 national and international companies increasing around 6000 jobs (Microsoft and HBO)
- possibly an economy based on tourism which would be seasonally (only making money in summer)
Explain 2 social and transport factors of the titanic quarter Belfast?
- still no access to health care,primary or secondary schools or large supermarkets - which is a problem as the aim was to eliminate the need for cars
- short drive from the main motorway - and the George best international airport
Explain 2 environmental factors of the titanic quarter in Belfast?
- two Harland and Wolff gantry cranes still used to construct offshore wind turbines in the old dry docks
- possible increase in pollution in the area due to increased population
- pollution from years of ship building was repaired through soil remediation
Explain further investment in the area has increased growth in the region?
Investment from companies (like Audi,premier in)into the norther Ireland science park has improved the IT and software industry - increasing aspirations for young people in east Belfast enrolling in higher education (Belfast metropolitan college) which has 5000 full time and 10,000 part time students with new courses and a brand new centre
Explain what the Brontë country region is?
Brontë country is the name given to a region in the West Yorkshire and east Lancashire, many people visit here every year to expirence the bleakness and desolation that inspired books such as withering heights which were authored by the Brontë sisters who live in the area
- capitalises on the areas historical and literary references
Explain how Brontë country capitalises on the regions historical and literarily past?
The fair trade way links fairtrade villages and towns in the Bradford area, taking visitors through the countryside and historical sites that appear in the Brontë sisters books
- will encourage tourism, especially for people who are fans of the book
Explain 3 other countries in the Brontë country?
- keighley bus museum and keighley and worth valley railways
- the Pennines bridle way and outdoor activities including horse riding and mountain biking routes
- the industrial village of Saltaire (near Bradford) which is a designated UNESCO world heritage site
Explain how some areas of the Brontë country have benefited from eu grants?
Some farms have taken advantage of eu grants and subsidies to diversify their use of land and create specialised products - one farm is now a successful wedding venue, offering creative and bespoke weddings
Explain social factors of Brontë country?
the higher levels of engagement within the community after rebranding, means locals are happy because the areas rural identity is maintained - however some older residents may not be happy with more tourism as it distrupts the area with more pollution and people
Explain an economic factor of Brontë country?
the 100,000 visitors in 2013 boosts the economy, brings money into the area - so more jobs in tourist industry however it results in a seasonal economy as people are only visiting and spending money in the summer months
Explain an enviornmental factor of Brontë country?
The people look after the area because it attracts visitors, many come to see the nice scenery so money must be invested to keep it nice - may be an increase in litter and pollution with more people
