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Reasons for Changes in Places

The structure of places can change for a wide range of reasons:

Planning restrictions

Planning restrictions

  • Planning restrictions and local councils can either enable or prevent changes.
  • Many places in London need to 'keep a view of St Pauls' Cathedral' and this stops a lot of developments being built.
  • Allowing building on greenbelt or brownbelt land could change the makeup of places.
Clone high streets

Clone high streets

  • Clone high streets describe high streets that could be the same anywhere across the country. They often contain similar chain stores like Greggs, River Island and Nando's.
  • Lots of towns have clone high streets, but some areas try to revert to more historical shopping trends with boutique or artisan stores. This is noticeable in areas of London like Notting Hill.
Transportation

Transportation

  • Access to a region can be increased by a range of infrastructure projects.
  • A new motorway junction, railway station or regional airport can open up new areas. These places may become more attractive to workers or commuters, or may facilitate a new Amazon fulfilment centre.
Transportation examples

Transportation examples

  • In London, the Elizabeth line connects East and West London more efficiently, whilst Battersea, which doesn't have a tube stop, is having one built on the Northern Line at Battersea Power Station.
  • The development of the HS2 railway line could better connect London to the North of England.
Digital revolution

Digital revolution

  • The internet, broadband and mobile phone data are all improving people's connectedness and their ability to do things remotely.
  • More contractors may work remotely, meaning that offices can be smaller and people may work from home.
Digital revolution cont.

Digital revolution cont.

  • Internet shopping and online banking have had a large impact on the high street. Lots of banks like Lloyds are closing physical bank branches because so many people use online banking.
  • Software development companies are in a footloose, which could locate anywhere. Many companies like to set up in old redundant farm buildings or disused warehouses. Some old industrial buildings are used in the likes of Old Street or by office companies like WeWork.

Measuring Changes in Places

Geographers measure changes within places using the following methods:

Land-use changes

Land-use changes

  • You can carry out land-use mapping (fieldwork) and compare this with old maps from different time periods.
Demographic changes

Demographic changes

  • The ONS (Office of National Statistics) provides data on demographic trends over time.
  • You could also use the National Census to try to get this information.
Levels of deprivation

Levels of deprivation

  • Using indices that measure the level of deprivation (like the IMD) is a way of measuring the changes and trends in places.
Jump to other topics
1

Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2

Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3

Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4

Globalisation

5

Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6

Option 4B: Diverse Places

7

The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8

The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9

Superpowers (A2 only)

10

Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11

Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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