Case studies = changing spaces, making places (Glasgow), structural economic change (Birmingham), rebranding (Barcelona), migration in an EDC (Brazil), migration in an AC (USA), LIDC migration (Laos), women's rights (India), area of conflict (Afghanistan), human rights in an LIDC (Honduras).
In the 1900’s, population continued to grow and increased to 1.1 million in
1941. Glasgow became the world centre for chemical and ship engineering
and was a sea link worldwide thanks to the Clyde River.
At its peak there were 40 ship yards providing employment.
Glasgow hit a stage of depression around the 1930’s. After WW2 the
employment structure changed. Development of slums as people became
unemployed and couldn’t afford to live.
There was lots of competition with cheap labour abroad. Decline in the heavy
industry lost peoples jobs and due to this people migrated out of the city to
find work.
Effects
Unemployment
Low standard of living
Brain drain1
Buildings become derelict
Less air and river pollution from factories
Rebranding
Reduce unemployment which had exceeded 30% in the 1930’s
Diversify the employment structure which had been over-concentrated on the
basic industries
Provide employment for women who made up only 18% of the work force in
1939 compared to the national average of 28%7
More people moved into the area as it became a more desirable place to live
and more jobs were available
More money spent on local businesses and taxes are paid to aid further
development
Housing regeneration
Along the riverside, 4000 new homes built on previously brown field sites
Reputation of the area increased which attracted more investment for building
New housing development - £1.4 billion, 50,000 sqm for retail and 20,000 sqm
for leisure along with 40% of development scheduled for open spaces and
parks.
Improve local infrastructure by adding better transport links and improving
public transport (better connectivity)
1
The movement of a skilled and educated young workforce out of a place
,Structural economic change – Birmingham
Birmingham is a large metropolitan area is the heart of the West Midlands
conurbation2. In mid 2014 it was the second largest city after London with 1.1 million
residents.
Characteristics of the place before the change
The nineteenth century witnessed extraordinary growth. All the industries
needed to supply a growing population.
Transport infrastructure developed in hand with industrial growth.
During the first half of the twentieth century, Birmingham continued to grow
and new engineering industries developed. Birmingham sustained economic
growth and this was accompanied by continuous population growth from both
natural increase as well as immigration from rural areas and other parts of the
British Isles.
The development of a middle class who could commute helped drive urban
expansion.
Until the 1950’s Birmingham’s population was overwhelmingly white in ethnic
origin. Employment was dominated by males.
Birmingham was a prosperous city for most of the 1950’s and 60’s with
unemployment below 1% but then it experienced an industrial decline and
unemployment reached 19.4%.
Birmingham’s industry was suffering from competition overseas with cheap
labour TNC’s.
Strikes made Birmingham less attractive to potential investors.
Recent regeneration
Birmingham’s socio-economic profile had many characteristics of the post-
industrial decline and urban decay but a variety of players tried to reposition
Birmingham as a modern, forward-looking city with key roles to play at local,
regional, national and international scales.
The local government actively promoted the region, attracting inward
investment. Birmingham’s improved international accessibility is another
factor attracting investment.
National government schemes such as ‘City Challenge’ were in place to help
places access funding for redevelopment.
Planning was important in bringing about physical change which it was hoped
would act as a catalyst for socio-economic changes.
2
Large urban area in population and areal terms, made up of the merging together of previously separate
towns and cities.
, Flagship development (funded in part by the EU) – was the International
Convention Centre and Symphony Hall opened in 1991.
New Street station has been regenerated by a £700 million investment. This
involved Network Rail, private developers and retailers such as John Lewis.
HS2 is the national government’s flagship transport development which will
impact directly on Birmingham. The project will involve national and local
governments, TNC’s involved in major engineering networks, banks and
NGO’s.
Birmingham development plan (BDP) guides decisions on development and
regeneration in the city up to 2031.
Impacts of regeneration on people and place
City’s universities give it a youthful profile and economically such institutions
bring wealth to the area. Students provide a market for lots of goods and
services.
More public spaces were developed in the centre and Victoria Square and the
buildings surrounding it have been refurbished. Attracts more people to the
area as place is more appealing.
HS2 development projected to bring further socio-economic change to
Birmingham. It will stimulate employment growth in the city and make
Birmingham just 50 minutes from London, a more attractive proposition for
investment.
Placemaking
Urban places are at the forefront of the growth of population but increasing
interconnectedness between places means that many rural areas will also
experience significant growth. Governments at all scales are becoming more aware
of the need to consider Placemaking as part of their operations. National government
represents the country as a place at an international level. The UK is represented by
an ambassador in the majority of the world’s countries. As a representative of the
Queen, the ambassador is independent of the elected government but is still closely
linked with it. Government departments also interact with foreign countries. For
example, trade links are supported and military co-operation is organised.
With the growth of transnational corporations (TNC’s) in all sectors of the economy,
governments around the globe are keen to encourage inward investment from
TNC’s. Many TNC’s have considerable choice when identifying places for
investment.
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