6.2.3
The Perception of Places
Informal Methods of Affecting the Representation of Places
Informal Methods of Affecting the Representation of Places
Different representations of a place can be used by using both informal and formal methods. It may be hard to separate fact from fiction with these stereotypes. Some informal methods of affecting our perceptions of places are:
Development agencies
Development agencies
- Development agencies can make us use our imagination to affect how we see a place. They may use a logo or slogan to project a certain image of a place.
- Aberdeen, which has lots of oil companies like BP with offices there, is often called the 'Energy Capital of Europe'.
- Basingstoke has been called both Basingrad (in reference to the Soviet style of architecture) and according to Wikipedia, Amazingstoke, reportedly by a local rapper.
Advertising agencies
Advertising agencies
- Advertising agencies often combine visual and written imagery to make a setting seem particularly attractive.
- Nations or cities with beach destinations often use this kind of imagery.
- Private companies, like Sandals or Thomas Cook, the holiday companies, may portray places in a certain way to try to get people to go on holiday there.
- These organisations may use artistic representations - novels, songs, visual arts, media (TV, film and photography) to 'bring places alive'.
Tourist boards
Tourist boards
- Tourist boards may promote certain aspects of a place that fit their desired perception of that place (how they want people to see it).
- The Spanish tourist board ran a campaign called 'Espana - I need Spain' to attract tourists to a location.
- A city like Budapest may promote its Habsburg heritage and Superclubs, whilst Amsterdam may promote its canals, bicycles and more. Barcelona may promote their football team to tourists as part of the travel experience.
Place Perception - Formal Methods of Influence
Place Perception - Formal Methods of Influence
Some formal factors that can affect our perception of various different places are:
Data
Data
- More data about places is now collected, stored and analysed than ever before.
- In many countries, the most effective formal representations of places are their censuses.
GIS
GIS
- There has been a dramatic increase in the quantity and quality of geospatial data e.g. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) like Google Earth or Google Maps.
Government representations
Government representations
- Many government agencies maintain websites that present formal representations of places.
- Formal representations offer rational perspectives of a place profile, such as numbers of people living in a place, their ages, gender and educational qualifications.
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
Jump to other topics
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
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