Changing Places WJEC AS Level

Geography revision tailored to WJEC (Wales) exam board.

Examine the impacts of quaternary industry clusters on people and places. [8]

Quaternary industry clusters have significant impacts on both people and places. These clusters are concentrations of knowledge-based industries such as ICT, biotechnology, and research and development. One major positive impact on people is the creation of high-skilled, well-paid employment opportunities. For instance, Cambridge Science Park in the UK has attracted a large number of highly educated professionals, leading to increased standards of living and greater disposable income in the local area.

However, not all impacts are positive. Rising house prices and living costs often accompany the formation of quaternary clusters, as demand for housing from high-income earners grows. This can lead to the marginalisation of lower-income residents who are priced out of the area, creating social inequality. In Cambridge, house prices have risen significantly faster than the national average, creating affordability issues.

Places benefit from economic growth and innovation, as clusters tend to stimulate wider investment, infrastructure improvements, and the reputation of the area as a centre of excellence. This can attract further businesses and talent, creating a multiplier effect. For example, Silicon Valley in California has become a global hub not just for technology firms, but also for universities, venture capitalists, and other service industries.

However, there can also be environmental impacts on places. Increased development can lead to the loss of greenfield sites, greater congestion, and higher carbon emissions, particularly if transport infrastructure does not keep pace with growth. In many science parks, commuting by private car is still common due to suburban locations, contributing to localised pollution.

In conclusion, while quaternary clusters can drive innovation, raise incomes, and transform places into economically vibrant hubs, they can also exacerbate social inequality and create pressures on housing, infrastructure, and the environment.

Examine the impacts of regeneration on individuals and businesses in urban areas. [8]

Regeneration can have both positive and negative impacts on individuals and businesses. For individuals, regeneration often leads to improved housing, better public spaces, and enhanced services such as transport, healthcare, and education, raising quality of life and attracting more affluent residents. However, regeneration can also result in gentrification, where rising house prices and living costs marginalise lower-income residents, forcing them to relocate and breaking traditional community ties. For example, the regeneration of London Docklands displaced many original working-class residents.

For businesses, regeneration stimulates economic growth by attracting investment, new customers, and skilled workers, particularly in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and professional services. Upgraded infrastructure, such as better transport links and high-speed internet, makes areas more appealing to both start-ups and established businesses. However, small independent businesses may struggle with increased rents and competition from larger national chains moving into regenerated areas, leading to closures and the loss of local character.

Overall, while regeneration can revitalise urban areas, it often creates uneven outcomes, benefitting some groups while disadvantaging others.

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Evaluate the reliability of the findings of your physical geography fieldwork investigation. [9] You should state clearly the title of your physical geography investigation. Title: Investigation into the relationship between beach gradient and average sediment size along a 50 m coastal transect.

The reliability of this investigation is strengthened by its stratified sampling design, which ensured systematic measurements at eight evenly spaced transects (every 5 m from 0 m to 50 m). This approach reduced placement bias and captured variation along the beach profile. However, because all measurements were taken on a single day, the limited sample size and lack of temporal replication mean the results may not reflect changes under different tidal or weather conditions, reducing the confidence with which findings can be generalised.

The use of standardised instruments—a clinometer and tape measure for gradient and callipers for pebble diameter—provided repeatable methods and allowed for calibration checks before fieldwork. This consistency is evident in the match between table values and plotted graph points. Nevertheless, human error remains a concern: small variations in how the clinometer was held (up to ±1°) and subjective selection of “representative” pebbles could each skew individual measurements, introducing random error into the dataset.

Conducting the survey during stable weather and low-tide minimised the impact of rapid swash changes on sediment distribution, which supports data reliability. Yet, natural micro-features—such as storm-formed berms or ridges—and intermittent wave action can unpredictably deposit or remove material between transects. These environmental fluctuations are not controlled by a one-off survey and therefore add an element of variability that cannot be fully eliminated.

Finally, the investigation’s internal consistency is confirmed by correctly calculated statistical tests (Spearman’s ρ = –0.21; Pearson’s r = –0.43), both indicating a weak relationship. However, with only eight data pairs, these correlation coefficients have low statistical power, making it difficult to determine significance. A larger dataset would be required to produce more robust and conclusive statistical evidence.

Overall Judgment: While the stratified design and standardised methods lend credibility to the core dataset, the limited temporal scope, potential human error, and natural variability mean findings should be interpreted with caution. To improve reliability in future studies, the investigation should increase the number of transects, repeat sampling across different days and tidal states, employ digital clinometers, and take multiple sediment samples per transect to average out selection anomalies. These enhancements would strengthen confidence in any observed relationship between beach gradient and sediment size.

Examine the view that the positive social changes associated with gentrification outweigh the negative social changes. [8]

Gentrification often brings a range of positive social changes to urban areas. One key benefit is the improvement of housing quality as derelict or run-down properties are renovated or rebuilt, making neighborhoods safer and more attractive. This can also lead to a reduction in crime rates as new residents often invest in community safety. Additionally, gentrification can stimulate increased local services and amenities, such as cafes, shops, and parks, which improve the quality of life for all residents. The influx of middle-class professionals may also boost the local economy through higher spending and create new employment opportunities.

However, these positive changes are often accompanied by negative social impacts. One major issue is the displacement of lower-income residents, who can no longer afford rising rents or property taxes, leading to social exclusion and loss of community networks. This process, known as gentrification, can cause tensions between new and long-term residents, undermining social cohesion. The cultural identity of the area may also be lost as original communities are pushed out, replaced by more homogeneous populations. Furthermore, the benefits of gentrification are not always evenly distributed, with some marginalized groups experiencing little improvement in their social or economic status.

While the Docklands regeneration brought substantial improvements in housing, jobs and urban environment—benefits often celebrated as gentrification’s positives—the social costs of displacement, loss of community networks and cultural identity have been profound. In this case the negative social changes arguably outweigh the positives for original residents, unless measures (such as affordable housing quotas and community-led development) are put in place to protect them.

Overall, whether the positive social changes outweigh the negatives depends on perspective. While gentrification can revitalize neighborhoods and improve infrastructure, the social costs of displacement and loss of community identity are significant. In many cases, the negative impacts on vulnerable residents may outweigh the benefits unless policies are in place to protect affordable housing and ensure inclusive development.

Assess the importance of technology in the decline of primary employment in rural areas. [8]

Technology has played a significant role in the decline of primary employment in rural areas. Mechanisation in agriculture, such as the introduction of combine harvesters and milking robots, has reduced the demand for manual farm labour. This technological change has made farming more efficient but has directly caused rural job losses. In fishing and forestry too, advances like commercial trawlers and mechanical tree harvesters have replaced many traditional roles, leading to fewer employment opportunities. Therefore, technology has clearly been a key driver of employment decline.

However, other factors must also be considered. Globalisation has increased competition from overseas, where products like food and timber can often be produced more cheaply, leading to a decline in UK-based primary industries. Additionally, government policies such as the introduction of fishing quotas or the withdrawal of subsidies have made it harder for rural industries to survive, independently of technological factors. Social changes, including rural-urban migration of young people seeking better-paid tertiary jobs, have also weakened the labour supply in rural economies.

Overall, while technology is very important, it is only one part of a wider set of changes. Without the influence of global markets, policy decisions and social change, the impact of technology alone would not have caused such widespread primary employment decline. Thus, technology is highly important but not the sole cause.

Examine the impacts of changes to retail patterns on people’s lives. [8]

Changes in retail patterns have had wide-ranging impacts on people’s lives, both positive and negative. One major change has been the growth of out-of-town shopping centres and retail parks. These developments have provided people with greater convenience, free parking, and a wider range of stores in one location, improving the shopping experience for many, especially car owners. This has saved time and encouraged leisure shopping, enhancing quality of life for certain social groups.

However, this shift has also negatively affected traditional high streets, particularly in small towns. As footfall in town centres has declined, many local shops have closed, reducing local access to services, especially for those without cars such as the elderly or lower-income groups. This can lead to social isolation and a decline in community cohesion, negatively impacting well-being.

Another significant change has been the rise of online shopping. For many, especially those in rural areas or with mobility issues, online retail has increased accessibility to goods and services, offering greater choice and convenience. However, it has also contributed to job losses in physical stores, increased delivery traffic, and reduced face-to-face social interaction, which can impact mental health and community vibrancy.

Overall, changes to retail patterns have improved convenience and consumer choice for many people but have also created inequalities, with some groups benefiting far more than others. The impacts on people’s lives are therefore complex, with both clear advantages and serious disadvantages.

Examine the locational factors that encourage the growth of clusters of quaternary industry.

The growth of clusters of quaternary industry is influenced by a variety of locational factors. One of the most important is the presence of a highly skilled workforce, often provided by proximity to universities and research institutions. Access to graduate talent is essential for industries based on innovation and technological development.

Transport and digital infrastructure are also crucial. Good national and international transport links, such as airports and high-speed rail, enable easy movement of people and ideas. Equally, reliable, high-speed internet connectivity is vital for communication and research collaboration, especially for industries like biotechnology and software development.

Proximity to other quaternary businesses can create a cumulative causation effect, where companies benefit from shared knowledge, collaboration, and competition. This is often called an "agglomeration economy," helping to drive innovation and efficiency.

Access to government and private sector investment is another factor. Many successful clusters, such as those in Cambridge (UK) or Silicon Valley (USA), have been supported by significant funding, grants, and venture capital, allowing small start-ups to grow rapidly.

Finally, quality of life factors, including good housing, cultural amenities, and a pleasant environment, can help attract and retain highly skilled workers. People working in the quaternary sector often prioritise living in attractive areas with good schools, healthcare, and leisure opportunities.

Overall, the growth of quaternary industry clusters is driven by a combination of skilled labour, excellent infrastructure, opportunities for collaboration, financial support, and high living standards.

Ebbw Vale - Case Study

The History of Ebbw Vale and the Impact of Economic Restructuring

Industrial Expansion and Population Growth

Ebbw Vale’s industrial growth began in the late 18th century with the establishment of the Ebbw

Vale Ironworks in 1790, which later evolved into a steel-producing giant. By the mid-19th century,

the town was one of the most important steel and iron manufacturing centres in the world, with its

steelworks employing thousands of workers.

Coal mining also played a vital role, with local collieries supplying fuel to the steel industry. The

expansion of these industries led to a population boom, with Ebbw Vale’s population rising

significantly throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. By 1921, the population peaked at

around 35,000 people, fuelled by migration from surrounding areas.

The steelworks remained a major employer throughout the 20th century, with workforce numbers

exceeding 14,500 in the 1960s. The town’s economy was almost entirely dependent on heavy

industry, making it vulnerable to economic shifts in the sector.

Industrial Decline and Economic Challenges

The decline of the UK’s heavy industry in the late 20th century had a devastating impact on Ebbw

Vale. Global competition, rising production costs, and technological advancements led to the

closure of coal mines throughout the 1980s, followed by the eventual shutdown of the Ebbw

Vale Steelworks in 2002. This closure resulted in the direct loss of around 780 jobs, but the

indirect impact on supporting industries and local businesses meant that thousands of people

were affected by economic downturns.

By the early 2000s, Ebbw Vale, like much of Blaenau Gwent, faced high unemployment and social

deprivation. In 2008, Blaenau Gwent had the highest unemployment rate in Wales at 13.5%,

well above the national average. Economic restructuring left the town struggling with issues such

as long-term unemployment, low educational attainment, and poor health outcomes.

Regeneration Efforts and Economic Diversification

In response to the economic downturn, the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent County

Borough Council launched extensive regeneration programs aimed at economic diversification,

job creation, and community development. Some of the key initiatives included:

The Works – Transforming the Former Steelworks Site

One of the most significant regeneration projects was The Works, a £350 million development on

the old steelworks site. This project introduced:

 The Learning Zone (Coleg Gwent) – A state-of-the-art education facility to improve skills

and employment opportunities.

 Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan – A modern hospital providing essential healthcare services.

 New housing developments – Affordable and sustainable housing to attract new

residents.

 Green infrastructure – The creation of parks, walking trails, and community spaces to

enhance the environment.

Focus on Skills, Education, and Business Growth

 The Tech Valleys initiative, a £100 million Welsh Government program, aims to attract

high-tech industries, particularly in advanced manufacturing and digital technology.

 Business support schemes have encouraged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to

invest in the area, diversifying the local economy beyond traditional industries.

 Investment in STEM education and apprenticeships has helped equip local workers with

new skills suited to modern industries.

Tourism and Cultural Development

 The Festival Park shopping and leisure complex was developed to boost tourism and

retail opportunities.

 The Guardian of the Valleys monument was erected to commemorate the area’s industrial

heritage and attract visitors.

 Heritage trails and museums, such as the Ebbw Vale Steelworks Archive, celebrate the

town’s past while contributing to its economic revival.

Economic Impact of Regeneration

While Ebbw Vale still faces challenges, regeneration efforts have made significant progress.

 Unemployment rates in Blaenau Gwent have fallen, though they remain higher than the

Welsh average.

 The number of businesses in the area has increased, particularly in sectors such as

technology, retail, and education.

 Educational attainment has improved, with more students accessing further and higher

education opportunities. This is evident with 41% of people not having qualifications over 16

in 2001 and decreasing to 27% by 2021

 Environmental improvements have made the town more attractive for residents and

businesses alike.

SA1 Swansea Waterfront - Case Study

Background & Context

• Location: Former docks and industrial land along the River Tawe in Swansea city centre, South Wales.

• Pre-regeneration character:

  • Decline of coal export and copper smelting by late 20th century.

• Brownfield dereliction, high unemployment, social deprivation.

  Regeneration Aims

  1. Economic revitalisation: Attract new businesses, create jobs.

  2. Residential development: Provide modern housing to draw new residents.

  3. Cultural & leisure hub: Improve public spaces, arts, and tourism.

  4. Connectivity: Link waterfront to city centre, university, and transport.

Key regeneration phases and features:

Phase/Year	Intervention	Scale of Investment
Late 1990s–2000s	Masterplan launched by Swansea City Council & Welsh Govt	£400 million+
2003	Kings Dock Leisure Complex (theatre, cinema, restaurants)	—
2006–2010	UWTSD (University of Wales Trinity Saint David) campus	University-funded
2010s onward	Residential apartments, office blocks, marina expansion	Private + public partnership
2015	Digital tech incubator (“The Innovation Quarter”)	European Regional Development Fund

Impacts on People

Impact Type	Positive Effects	Negative/Uneven Effects
Employment	~2,000 new jobs in leisure, education, tech, retail	Many are service-sector—lower paid than old industrial roles
Housing & Demography	Attracted young professionals and students; improved choice of modern apartments	Rising rent and property prices; some long-term locals priced out (gentrification)
Social & Cultural	New cultural venues (theatres, galleries); improved public realm	Loss of traditional dockland community identity

Impacts on Place

• Economic landscape: Shift from heavy industry to tertiary and quaternary activities (leisure, education, digital).

• Physical environment: Remediation of contaminated land; creation of promenades, parks, marina.

• Connectivity: Improved pedestrian links, cycle paths, and public transport integration.

• Image & identity: Rebranded Swansea as a modern waterfront city, boosting local pride and tourism.

Theme	SA1 Evidence
Deindustrialisation	Former docks derelict after industry decline
Regeneration	£400 m masterplan; mixed-use development
Gentrification	Rising property values; changing social mix
Economic transition	From steel/coal to leisure, education, tech
Place identity & rebranding	“Swansea Waterfront” as new city brand

The Eden Project, Cornwall - Case Study

Background & Context

• Location: Near St Austell, South Cornwall, on the site of a former china clay quarry (a large brownfield pit).

• Pre-development character:

  • Extensive industrial landscape—deep pit, spoil heaps, little vegetation.

  • Local economy in decline following collapse of the china clay industry; high unemployment and out-migration.

Regeneration Aims

1. Economic diversification of a mono-industrial area.

2. Tourism development to create sustainable jobs.

3. Environmental restoration and education about ecology.

4. Community engagement and skills development.

🏗 Key Development Phases & Features

Phase/Year	Intervention	Funding & Partners
1995–2001	Site remediation, design of biomes, planting	Private philanthropists; Millennium Commission
2001	Opening of the Biomes (Rainforest & Mediterranean)	£141 million total cost
2002–2010	Visitor centre, education facilities, art trails	Ticket revenue; EU Objective One funding
2010s–present	Expansion (Classrooms, exhibitions, corporate events)	Eden Trust reinvestment

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Impacts on People

Impact Type	Positive Effects	Negative/Uneven Effects
Employment	~440 full-time jobs on site; 3,000+ indirect jobs in region	Seasonal nature of many jobs; part-time, lower wages
Skills & Education	Hands-on environmental education for 100,000+ students/year	Local residents without tourism skills may be excluded
Social & Community	Increased local pride; community volunteering and events	Rising house prices in nearby villages (gentrification)

🏞 Impacts on Place

• Economic landscape: Transformed St Austell from post-industrial decline into one of the UK’s top tourist destinations (1.8 million visitors/year).

• Physical environment: Reclaimed and re-vegetated a barren quarry; created globally significant biome structures.

• Infrastructure: Improved road links (A391 upgrade), new car parks, shuttle buses, cycle routes.

• Place identity & branding: Cornwall re-branded as an “eco-tourism” and “learning” destination, shifting away from solely seaside tourism.

Theme	Eden Project Evidence
Brownfield regeneration	Former clay pit → world-class biomes
Economic diversification	From mining/agriculture to eco-tourism
Social impacts	Job creation vs. seasonal work; education gains
Environmental restoration	Biome ecosystems; educational outreach
Rebranding	Cornwall as sustainable tourism hub

Shoreditch, London - Case Study

Background & Context

• Location: Inner East London, within the London Borough of Hackney.

• Historical character:

  • Historically a working-class, industrial area with warehouses, factories, and affordable housing.

  • In decline through late 20th century due to deindustrialisation — job losses, empty buildings, urban decay.

  • High levels of poverty, crime, and social problems in the 1980s–1990s.

Regeneration & Gentrification Process

• Early 2000s: Artists and creative industries attracted by cheap rents and large industrial spaces → informal cultural hub.

• 2005–present: Increasing investment and redevelopment:

  • New bars, cafes, galleries, tech companies, start-ups, and trendy apartments.

  • Conversion of warehouses into loft-style flats.

  • Infrastructure improvements: better public transport links, streetscaping, public art.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Impacts on People

Impact Type	Positive Effects	Negative Effects (Social Costs)
Residents	Improved local services and amenities	Displacement of long-term, lower-income residents due to rising rents (gentrification)
Businesses	Growth in creative industries, tech firms, cafés	Small traditional shops and markets struggle to afford rent; replaced by more upscale outlets
Community	Increased safety, cultural vibrancy	Social fragmentation, loss of traditional community identity

🏢 Impacts on Place

• Physical environment:

  • Old industrial buildings repurposed and restored.

  • New builds and luxury housing developments.

  • Public art and cultural landmarks enhance place image.

• Economic shift:

  • From manufacturing/warehousing to services, tech, creative industries, and nightlife economy.

• Place identity:

  • Rebranded as a trendy, ‘hipster’ destination popular with young professionals and tourists.

  • “Cool” image drives further investment but also fuels exclusionary effects.

Theme	Shoreditch Evidence
Deindustrialisation	Decline of factories & warehouses in late 20th century
Gentrification	Rising property prices, displacement of original residents
Economic restructuring	Shift from manufacturing to creative and tech industries
Social change	Improved amenities vs. social displacement
Urban regeneration	Renovated buildings, improved infrastructure

London Docklands - Case Study

Background & Context

• Location: East and Southeast London, along the River Thames.

• Historical character:

  • Once the world’s largest port complex, especially thriving during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

  • By mid-20th century, containerisation and larger ships made the docks obsolete.

  • Resulted in massive job losses, dereliction, and urban decline by the 1970s–1980s.

  • Area characterised by poverty, unemployment, and poor living conditions.

Regeneration Process

• 1981: London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) created by the government to regenerate the area.

• Strategies:

  • Attracted private investment and eased planning controls.

  • Built new transport infrastructure: Docklands Light Railway (DLR), improved roads, and connections to central London.

  • Redeveloped old dock areas into office spaces, residential developments, and leisure facilities.

  • Creation of Canary Wharf, a major business district and financial hub.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Impacts on People

Impact Type	Positive Effects	Negative Effects
Residents	New housing, improved amenities, job creation	Displacement of poorer residents due to rising rents; social inequality widened
Businesses	Growth of financial, tech, and service sectors	Small local businesses often priced out; some traditional communities lost
Community	Safer environment, improved services	Breakdown of traditional working-class community identity

🏢 Impacts on Place

• Physical environment:

  • Transformation from derelict docks to modern high-rise offices and luxury apartments.

  • Canary Wharf became London’s second financial district after the City.

• Economic shift:

  • Shift from industrial port economy to finance, business services, and creative industries.

• Place identity:

  • From rundown industrial area to a symbol of London’s global economic power.

  • Image as a hub for international business attracts skilled professionals globally.

Theme	London Docklands Evidence
Deindustrialisation	Decline of docks due to containerisation and shipping changes
Urban regeneration	LDDC investment, transport improvements, Canary Wharf development
Economic restructuring	Shift from port industry to financial and business services
Social change	Improved amenities vs. displacement and social inequality
Transport development	Docklands Light Railway and better connections to central London

Examine the ways government policies can influence the character of urban places. [8]

Urban character is shaped not only by markets and communities, but also by purposeful government intervention.

Introduction (1 – 2 sentences):
Government policies—from planning regulations to funding priorities—can transform land use, social composition, and the built environment of urban areas.

Positive influences:

• Planning and zoning laws: By designating land for residential, commercial or green‐space use, local authorities can direct where development occurs. For example, Swansea City Council’s masterplan for SA1 Waterfront rezoned former docklands for mixed-use, enabling new apartments, offices and leisure facilities, and changing the area’s character from derelict industry to vibrant waterfront quarter.

• Regeneration grants and tax incentives: National and regional government funding (e.g. EU Objective 1 or UK Levelling Up grants) can kick-start redevelopment. The London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) used taxpayer-backed grants and tax breaks in the 1980s to attract private investment, creating Canary Wharf and remaking the area into a global financial district.

Negative or unintended consequences:

• Gentrification and social displacement: Policies that favor high-end development can raise property values and living costs. In Shoreditch, Hackney Council’s permissive planning encouraged trendy loft conversions and creative industries—but many long-term residents were priced out, altering the social character.

• Loss of local identity: Top-down masterplans may neglect community heritage. The Ebbw Vale Garden Festival (1992) improved the environment temporarily but failed to embed local culture in the legacy, leaving some residents feeling disempowered.

Mini-conclusion:
Government policies clearly have the power to reshape urban form, economy and social mix—often revitalising neglected areas—but they can also accelerate inequality and erode existing place identities unless carefully balanced with community input.

Assess the view that migration is the most important factor in creating social inequalities in places. [8]

Social inequality in places arises from multiple interlinked factors—migration, economic change, policy decisions and local amenities. Migration is significant but works alongside others.

Introduction:
Migration—both into and out of places—alters demographics, labour markets and resource allocation, but its impact on inequality must be weighed against economic restructuring and policy contexts.

Argument for migration as key factor:

• Selective in-migration: Influx of higher-income or skilled groups can drive up housing costs and services aimed at newcomers. For instance, gentrification in Shoreditch was initiated by young professionals moving in, creating a dual housing market that disadvantaged existing lower-income residents.

• Out-migration of disadvantaged groups: Rural areas such as parts of Cornwall see young people leave for cities, reducing local skills and incomes, leaving an ageing, lower-income population behind and exacerbating inequality.

Counter-arguments—other factors equally or more important:

• Economic restructuring: Deindustrialisation in Ebbw Vale removed mass-employment in steelworks, creating entrenched poverty independently of migration flows. Even without large population movements, loss of primary/secondary jobs would generate inequality.

• Government policy and investment: Areas receiving regeneration funding (SA1 Swansea Waterfront) saw improved services and jobs, reducing inequality, whereas places with little public investment remained deprived—showing policy can mitigate or worsen inequality regardless of migration.

Evaluation and judgement:
Migration can significantly reshape social mix and access to resources, but it interacts with economic change and policy. In some cases—such as post-industrial towns—job loss mattered more than migration in driving inequality. Therefore, migration is an important factor, but not necessarily the most important in all contexts.

Examine how different groups of people may have contrasting perceptions of the same place. [8]

Perceptions of place vary according to people’s backgrounds, experiences and purposes.

Introduction:
A single urban or rural location can be viewed very differently by residents, visitors, businesses, and policy-makers, leading to contested meanings and uses.

Group A vs. Group B contrasts:

• Residents vs. Tourists: In Snowdonia National Park, local farmers may see restrictions on land use (for conservation) as burdensome, whereas tourists perceive the same restrictions as protecting scenic beauty and wildlife, enhancing their leisure experience.

• Long-term locals vs. newcomers: In SA1 Waterfront, older Swansea residents sometimes view the redevelopment as erasing industrial heritage, while new professional residents see it as modern, vibrant and desirable.

Additional contrasts:

• Businesses vs. conservationists: In coastal zones, surf-tourism operators value open beaches for recreation, whereas environmental agencies prioritize dune preservation, viewing visitor access as damaging.

• Media representations vs. statistical realities: Cardiff’s St David’s 2 mall is portrayed in promotional materials as a bustling retail hub, yet formal deprivation statistics show nearby wards suffering unemployment—residents may perceive high street decline even while ads show prosperity.

Implications:
Contrasting perceptions can lead to conflict over planning decisions, gentrification, or conservation. Understanding these differences is crucial for inclusive place-making and policy.

Mini-conclusion:
Different social groups bring distinct values and experiences that shape how they interpret the same physical environment; recognising these multiple viewpoints is essential to managing change and avoiding one-sided decisions.

Describe and assess the impact of global factors upon the lives of people in a place that you have studied. [6]

Description (what happened / global factors):

• EU structural funding & foreign investment: SA1 received over £100 million of EU Objective 1 funding and attracted multinational companies (e.g. PwC, Admiral) to locate offices in the new business parks.

• Global tourism and media: International marketing of “Swansea Waterfront” has drawn visitors from beyond Wales, increasing footfall in cafés, hotels and cultural venues.

• Multinational retail chains: Global brands such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee opened outlets, bringing global consumer culture to SA1.

Assessment (how these affect people’s lives – positive & negative):

• Positive:

  • Employment & skills: New graduate-level jobs in offices, tech incubators and leisure boosted incomes and career prospects for local people.

  • Improved services: Enhanced leisure, cultural and transport facilities (e.g. waterside promenades, modern apartments) raised quality of life.

• Negative:

  • Gentrification & inequality: Rising rents and property prices—driven by global investment—priced some long-term residents out, reducing affordable housing.

  • Cultural dilution: Arrival of global chains and professionals altered the social mix; some locals feel their traditional dockland identity was weakened.

Conclusion (judgement):
Global factors have transformed SA1, bringing higher-paid jobs and modern amenities but also creating social tensions through higher living costs and loss of local character. Overall, the benefits to employment and services are significant, yet they are tempered by rising inequality and cultural change.

Describe and explain why places have different demographic, socio-economic and cultural characteristics. [8]

Introduction (define terms):
Places differ because of varying demography (population structure), socio-economic factors (employment, wealth, services) and culture (language, traditions, identity). These differences arise from multiple interacting influences.

Factor	Explanation	Example
Historical development	Past industries or events leave legacies in population and economy.	Ebbw Vale’s steelworks (closed 2002) created a working-class population and high unemployment today.
Economic base & investment	Areas with new industries attract skilled workers and higher incomes.	SA1 Swansea’s digital and quaternary firms drew young professionals, raising average wages.
Migration flows	In-migration of students/professionals or out-migration of youth alters age and skill profiles.	Butetown, Cardiff sees gentrification as professionals move in; youth leave Ebbw Vale for jobs.
Government policy & regeneration	Regeneration schemes change housing, services, and social mix.	London Docklands Development Corporation policies produced Canary Wharf and high-income residents.
Globalisation & MNCs	Global firms bring jobs and cultures but can homogenise places.	Presence of Starbucks in SA1 introduces global consumer culture vs. traditional Welsh cafés.
Physical geography	Environment influences livelihoods, settlement patterns and culture.	Coastal Cornwall has tourism-driven economy and seasonal population, unlike inland post-industrial towns.

Link to cultural characteristics:

• Where young professionals cluster (SA1, Shoreditch), creative and leisure cultures flourish (galleries, cafés).

• In older industrial communities (Ebbw Vale), traditional working-class culture and tight-knit networks persist.

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Conclusion (synthesis):
A place’s demographic, socio-economic and cultural character results from its unique combination of history, economy, migration, policy and physical setting. These factors interact to produce the diverse range of communities and identities we observe across Wales and beyond.

Describe and explain the causes of the decline of secondary industry in Newport, South Wales. [8]

Introduction:
Secondary industry refers to manufacturing and construction sectors, which transform raw materials into finished goods. In Newport, South Wales, the decline of secondary industry, particularly in heavy industries like steel production, shipbuilding, and coal mining, has been a significant economic change. This essay will describe and explain the causes of this decline, focusing on economic, technological, and global factors.

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Causes of the Decline:

1. Global Competition:

   • Explanation: As global markets became more interconnected, industries in the UK faced increased competition from countries with lower production costs, such as Japan and other emerging economies.

   • Example: The steel industry in Newport, primarily concentrated around the Llanwern steelworks, struggled to compete with cheaper imports, especially as the UK’s manufacturing base aged and lacked the flexibility of newer, more efficient plants abroad.

2. Technological Change and Automation:

   • Explanation: The rise of new technologies in manufacturing, such as automation and robotics, meant that traditional heavy industries, including shipbuilding and steel production, could not keep up with efficiency improvements abroad.

   • Example: The closure of the Llanwern steelworks in 2001 was partly due to the plant's inability to modernize effectively to compete with more automated facilities overseas. The industry could not cope with technological advancements in steel production, leading to job losses and plant closures in Newport.

3. Deindustrialisation and Structural Change:

   • Explanation: From the 1970s onwards, the UK underwent a process of deindustrialisation, shifting from a manufacturing-based economy to one more focused on services, finance, and technology.

   • Example: In Newport, this transition caused the collapse of heavy industry as part of a national trend. Traditional manufacturing sectors were replaced by more service-oriented sectors, leading to job losses in secondary industries.

4. Closure of Coal Mines and Related Industries:

   • Explanation: The decline in coal mining, which was the primary raw material for steel production, led to the shutdown of many steelworks in South Wales, including those in Newport. The government’s decision to close many mines in the 1980s as part of the wider coal industry cuts further contributed to the sector’s decline.

   • Example: The closure of the nearby coal mines in South Wales meant that steelworks in Newport could not source local raw materials, forcing them to rely on more expensive imported resources.

5. Economic Policy and Government Decisions:

   • Explanation: In the 1980s, under the Conservative government, there was a deliberate move away from supporting heavy industry in favour of privatization and market forces. The decline of secondary industries in Newport was exacerbated by the loss of subsidies, lack of government intervention, and industrial restructuring policies.

   • Example: The privatization of British Steel and the decision to close or scale down large steel plants, such as Llanwern, were a direct result of these policies, which aimed to reduce government spending and let market forces dictate industrial outcomes.

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Conclusion: The decline of secondary industry in Newport can be attributed to a combination of global economic factors, technological advances, deindustrialisation, the closure of coal mines, and government policies. These causes reflect broader changes within the UK’s industrial sector, where secondary industries in areas like Newport were unable to compete with new technologies, global competition, and shifts in national economic priorities. The result has been a significant loss of manufacturing jobs, with the city gradually shifting towards a more service-based economy. However, despite the decline, Newport has made strides in regenerating its economy, with a focus on technology and business services.