Changing Places *

Place making

The deliberate shaping of an environment to facilitate social interaction and improve a communities quality of life

Force of change: government

1. Place marketing

2. Rebranding

3. Reimaging

Place marketing

• Role of marketing companies is to create positive perception of a place

• Often commissioned by a national or local government

• E.g. advertising campaigns - websites, social media

• E.g. events - food festivals, music/cultural events

• E.g. Welsh tourist board - #findyourepic

• E.g. Luton- being promoted to the PL may result in a lasting impact

Rebranding

The way in which a place is redeveloped and marketed so that it gains a new identity. it can attract new investment, retailing, tourists and residents. It may involve both reimaging and regeneration

aims of urban rebranding

• revive a pre-existing but outdated place image

• change a poor pre-existing place image

• differentiate an area from other places

• highligh changes in the character or the activities of an area

• associate a place with an international event e.g. olympics

effects of rebranding

• helps create pride in your city

• promotes urban areas as a product

• attracts new investment, shops, tourists and residents

different approaches to rebranding

• Many argue that place rebranding must start from the inside with insider experiences

• Relph and Yi-Fu Tuan emphasise the importance of being inside a place to truly understand it

• Rebranding often involves a large amount of stakeholders - residents, businesses, local government, potential residents and investors

reimaging

Re-imaging disassociates a place from bad-pre-existing images in relation to poor housing, social deprivation, high levels of crime, environmental pollution and industrial dereliction. It can then attract new investment, retailing, tourists and residents.

why was rebranding needed in Liverpool?

In the 18th and 19th century Liverpool was a huge port that handled thousands of tonnes of imports and exports per day, however in the 1980s it experienced industrial decline as the docks closed. As a result there were levels of crime and vandalism and economic and social deprivation.

how was Liverpool rebranded?

• After race riots in Toxteth the Merseyside Development Corporation set about reclaiming 4 km2 of derelict land by creating new housing and thousands of new jobs

• The first flagship regeneration project was the Albert Dock, which was a former derelict dock that was made into a tourist attraction in 1988. Today it attracts over 4 mn visitors a year

Liverpool culture

• music - Beatles

• 2 PL football teams

• 2008 European Capital of Culture

impacts of rebranding in Liverpool

• £2.8mn spent - boosted economy by £800mn in 2008

• 15mn viitors attracted to 7000 cultural events in 1 year

• Albert Docks saw 30% increase in tourists

• 2004 UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site - history of docks

• £19mn liner terminal built at Princess Dock, with the Pier Head

• rebuilding Museum of Liverpool Live

past processes

1. urbanisation

2. suburbanisation

3. counterurbanisation

urbanisation causes

• Natural population increase

• Rural to urban migration 

• Has had the most significant impact however the magnitude of the impact depends on the location - e.g. suburbanisation has a larger impact on smaller towns and cities

urbanisation impacts

Urbanisation often results in deforestation, habitat loss, and the extraction of freshwater from the environment, which can decrease biodiversity and alter species ranges and interactions

suburbanisation causes

• lower population densities

• family friendly

• larger housing with gardens

• improvements in public transport

• more private car ownership

• new industrial/business development

• cheaper rents/house prices

suburbanisation impacts

Suburbanisation results in the physical spreading of a city into surrounding countryside areas, known as urban sprawl, and this puts pressure on greenfield sites and on nature.

counterurbanisation causes

push and pull factors draw people into rural areas (e.g. more -peaceful)

counterurbanisation impacts

Counterurbanisation leads to the growth of suburbanised / dormitory / commuter villages and towns - this causes local house prices to go up which can push younger residents out of these towns as they cannot afford to buy properties.

urbanisation

the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities

urbanisation advantages

• employment opportunities

• technological and infrastructural advancements

• improved transportation and comms

• improved quality of educational and medical facilities

urbanisation disadvantages

• congestion

• higher crime rates

• pollution

• increased inequality and social exclusion

suburbanisation

movement of people, employment and facilities from inner to outer urban areas

suburbanisation advantages

• more affordable housing

• more space for families

• generally quieter and safer environment

suburbanisation disadvantages

• decline of inner city areas as skilled people and businesses move away

• lower employment opportunities

• urban sprawl - pressure on greenfield sites

counterurbanisation

A population moves away from inner urban areas to new towns, estates or a commuter town or village in the suburbs of the city

counterurbanisation advantages

• Improved road systems and increased car ownership in countryside

• Increased job opportunities and healthcare outside of the city

• Spread of wealth outside the city

counterurbanisation disadvantages

• More air and noise pollution

• Urban sprawl

• Increased house prices, forcing young people out

present processes in HICs

1. regeneration

2. studentification

3. gentrification

gentrification

 The process of upgrading an older, usually low-income neighbourhood, which typically results in higher costs of living and resident displacement.

gentrification advantages

• Neighbourhood revitalisation - improves quality of life

• Increased property values - wealthy residents, increases tax revenue

• Economic growth - renovating buildings, new businesses

• Reduced crime rates - investments in public safety

• Environmental improvements - addition of green amenities

• Better education opportunities

• Improved public transportation

• Better healthcare facilities

gentrification disadvantages

• Displacement of long-term residents

• Loss of affordable housing - affordable housing demolished for new developments

• Increased cost of living

• Socioeconomic disparities - increased inequity by displacing poorer residents

• Cultural erosion - e.g. cultural food shop replaced by chain supermarket

• Loss of small businesses

• Increased homelessness 

• Loss of green spaces

• Gentrification can benefit some, while it causes long-lasting negative impacts on others. Typically, communities that are negatively impacted are historically marginalised, low-income and diverse communities.

studentification

Studentification is the process by which specific neighbourhoods become dominated by student residential occupation

studentification advantages

• Positive contributions to the economy - landlords make greater profit from renting out to multiple students

• Increased workers in the area, contributing to the local economy

studentification disadvantages

• Increased rates of low-level antisocial behaviour - e.g vandalism, noise nuisance

• High proportion of young people in the population

• Not enough homes for families

• Permanent residents getting new neighbours all the time, properties empty for half the year

• Dereliction and unkempt buildings due to fewer permanent residents

regeneration

Regeneration involves strategies to improve an area. This could be through the construction of infrastructure, development of new housing, refurbishing the existing buildings, encouraging investment or any other activity that would improve an area.

regeneration advantages

• Enhances livability.

• Boosts the economy.

• Reduces environmental impact.

• Preserves heritage.

• Engages stakeholders.

• Supports health and well-being

regeneration disadvantages

• economic inequality

• displacement of locals

• loss of place character

• threat to local businesses 

• introduction of community conflicts.

New York gentrification

New York was faced with a particularly severe negative spiral as drug pushers, criminal gangs and illegal activities thrived in the inner-city zone of 19th century apartments. A zero-tolerance policy towards crime was introduced by the New York police and this, along with schemes to get more young people into college and off the streets eventually resulted in a major reduction in criminal activity in central New York. As neighbourhoods became safer, newly-arrived immigrants moved into run-down, but low-cost apartments. Their initiative and determination to improve their lives extended to renovating buildings, setting up businesses, and slowly once-neglected neighbourhoods became to be seen as desirable areas of the city to live.

Medellin past connections

Pablo Escobar --> negative perceptions --> unemployment, crime and poverty were widespread and this in turn created social inequality.

Medellin present connections and investment

Medellin has become a model for urban regeneration and sustainable city planning through long-term investments in infrastructure, transport and education.

Medellin people

Now, the long-divided social classes are more able to integrate in everyday economic and educational activities - education, social programmes and the public arts and culture budgets have increased to transform the lives of the most underprivileged residents in the city.

Medellin issues

poverty rates have fallen but inequality between rich and poor has increased and cultural and geographic barriers continue to limit social integration. Crime rates and gang violence remain high.

continuity in Medellin

• geographical location and climate: Medellín remains in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes, maintaining its temperate “eternal spring” climate — a feature that continues to shape its identity and appeal.

• role as a regional economic hub: Medellín has consistently been an important industrial and commercial centre for Colombia, historically known for textiles and still playing a major role in the national economy.

• cultural identity: Despite urban transformation, Medellín retains a strong Paisa identity — with traditions in food, language, and community values still prominent today.

change in Medellin

• urban transformation and innovation: major transformation from being one of the most dangerous cities in the world during the 1990s to a global model for urban innovation. It was named Innovative City of the Year in 2013

• improved infrastructure: metrocable (cable cars), escalators in informal hillside communities, connecting poor areas to city centre

• social urbanism policies: targeting crime and inequality through urban planning; libraries, schools, parks in deprived areas, help reduce violence and improve quality of life

• tourism growth: rise in international tourism events like Festival of the Flowers

Berlin past connections

place meaning impacted by world wars and connections to UK and Russia that it had - shapes tourism. Racist community groups in Germany formed by past connections are making migrants feel unwanted.

berlin present connections

 connections with EU make it a popular destination for migrants - shapes flows of people

berlin government policies

 The government policies of Angela Merkel to allow migrants has further shaped these connections.

berlin global organisations

global groups such as Migrants Rights International to promote the cause for migrants in Germany. Individual activists fought for migrants and for a more welcoming Germany. 

berlin rebranding

Visit Berlin is using the slogan of ‘the city of freedom’ - this is rebranding to overcome past place-meanings and fight against the current changes that may be occurring.

ways in which students’ own lives and those of others are affected by continuity and change in the nature of places and our understanding of place

• changing employment opportunities - shifts in economy (deindustrialisation/regeneration) can affect future career paths etc

• urban regeneration and gentrification - can improve amenities and safety, but may also increase housing costs, displacing long-standing communities and altering how residents (including students) relate to their local area.

• Cultural continuity vs. globalisation: As places become more globalised, students may experience a blend of old and new cultures. This can shape identity, belonging, and how they perceive the distinctiveness or sameness of places.

• Digital connectivity and perception of place: Social media and online spaces have changed how students connect with, learn about, and represent places — often leading to stronger global awareness but sometimes a weaker connection to their immediate locality.

government policies affecting demographic characteristics (global scale)

• China’s 1 child policy (1979-2015) - reduced birth rates and pop. growth, but led to an ageing population and a gender imbalance as boys preferred over girls

• France pro-natalist policies - generous childcare support, paid parental leave, financial incentives, aim to increase FR and balance pop. structure

• gov. pop. policies can shape age structure, gender ratio, and pop. growth of a place - affects schools, healthcare and pensions

government policies affecting cultural characteristics of a place (regional scale)

• In the 1960s, Germany’s Gastarbeiter policy brought large numbers of Turkish workers to fill labour shortages, leading to a lasting Turkish cultural influence in parts of Germany, especially in urban areas.

• Immigration and integration policies can shape the multicultural makeup of a place, influencing languages spoken, religious practices, and cultural festivals present in everyday life

• Education, media, and language policies can either promote cultural diversity or prioritise assimilation, impacting how different cultural identities are expressed and preserved within a population.

government policies affecting socio-economic characteristics of a place (local scale)

• The Eden Centre regeneration project in High Wycombe, supported by local government policy, aimed to revitalise the town centre, creating jobs, attracting investment, and boosting retail and leisure opportunities.

• Housing and welfare policies influence the distribution of wealth, quality of housing, and access to services, which shape social inequality and quality of life in different areas.

• Education and employment policies affect access to skills training and job opportunities, helping to either reduce or reinforce socio-economic disparities within and between communities