AQA Geography A-level Changing Places Glossary of Definitions

A comprehensive glossary providing definitions of important terms related to changing places in geography.

Accessibility

How easy it is to travel to a place or interact with an individual.

Attachment

A sense of binding to a particular location due to positive and intense experiences.

Built Environment

The buildings and infrastructure within an urban area.

Capital

Productive assets, goods or financial stakes.

Commuter

An individual who regularly travels a distance between their residence and their employment.

Cultural Enrichment

The addition of ideas, traditions and beliefs due to the arrival of new people.

Culture

The way of life of a particular group of people at a particular time, generally customs and beliefs.

Demographic

The characteristics of a population.

Deprivation

Individuals lack basic services or objects they would expect to have in the 21st Century.

Diversity

Variation within a population, in their characteristics, background and behaviour.

Endogenous Factor

Factors based on local characteristics or perspective originating from inside the place.

Ethnicity

The cultural background of a group of people, often based on religion or country of origin.

Ethnic Clustering

Residential areas with similar cultures, ethnicity or religions, often to avoid isolation.

Exogenous Factor

Factors based on characteristics or perspective originating from outside the place.

Experienced Places

Locations a person has visited in their lifetime.

Far Places

Places that feel distant, physically or emotionally.

Genius Loci

The ‘spirit’ of a place, based on its history, culture and daily atmosphere.

Gentrification

Renovation of older/deteriorating buildings or areas to attract high-income individuals.

Governance

The management of a place or group of people.

Idyll

A location with ideal living conditions and good qualities, often based on perception.

Inequality

Differences in income, well-being and wealth between individuals, communities and society.

Insiders

People who feel like they are ‘part of’ a place and have a strong connection to it.

Internal Migration

The movement of people within a country.

International Migration

The movement of people from one country to another.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years an individual is likely to live, determined at birth.

Lived Experience

The contribution of experiences and opportunities to an individual’s views and values.

Locales

Locations of different daily activities, e.g. school, theatre, shops.

Media

The publishing of information and production of entertainment.

Media Places

Places an individual hasn’t visited but has a reputation based on media representation.

Multicultural

The existence, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultural traditions within a single geographic area.

Near Places

Places that feel close, physically or emotionally.

Outsiders

People who feel like they are not ‘part of’ a place and feel isolated.

Perception

A person’s view of a place or issue based on feelings, experience and outside forces.

Placelessness

Places that lack unique character or reputation due to chain stores replacing local independent shops.

Population Density

The number of people per square kilometre.

Rebranding

Creating a new look or reputation for an area.

Segregation

The separation of a group from other groups, through force or voluntarily.

Social Clustering

Groups of people with similar background frequently living together.

Social Exclusion

The inability of a group of people to engage in the cultural activities of a place.

‘The Other’

People of different background or identity to an individual.

Urbanisation

An increase in the proportion of a population living within urban areas.