6.3.1
Perceptions of Urban Places
The Victorian Era
The Victorian Era
Urban places and locations within towns and cities are perceived differently by contrasting groups of people in different time periods because of their lived experiences and their perceptions.
Upper class
Upper class
- In the 19th century, many middle and upper-class Victorians viewed cities as dangerous and threatening, and so were places to avoid.
- This perception was caused by pollution from factories.
- Industrialisation was widespread within the cities of northern England, south Wales and central Scotland.
- Wealthier Victorians reacted to this perception by moving out to the suburbs and planning entirely new ‘model’ cities.
- E.g. Ebenezer Howard’s garden cities of Welwyn and Letchworth.
Poverty
Poverty
- Poverty was common amongst the working classes who lived in inner-city slum housing, with minimal sewerage and sanitary facilities.
- There was also a perception of crime including pick-pocketing, petty theft and prostitution.
- The novels of Charles Dickens, based in Victorian London, such as Oliver Twist, enhanced this.
Present-day
Present-day
Over time, the perceptions of places can change.
Inner-city
Inner-city
- The same inner-city areas that the Victorians feared are today perceived as attractive places because of the range of economic opportunities and the variety of social and leisure activities found there.
- E.g. the South Bank of London is now seen as a trendy ‘hipster’ area with the Tate Modern Art gallery, the National Theatre, Gabriel’s Wharf and the Borough Market.
- These places attract young visitors and workers from other parts of the UK and from overseas.
Jobs
Jobs
- There are plenty of job opportunities in the City of London (finance), Westminster (political internships) and Old Street (media industries).
- This has improved the perception of inner-city areas of London.
Undesirable locations
Undesirable locations
- Some urban places have a negative reputation, often based more on images from the past rather than present-day reality.
- Large areas of derelict land, run-down terraced housing and high levels of poverty show evidence of these negative perceptions.
- Cities that have had riots in the recent past (e.g. Bradford (2001) and Liverpool (1981)) often have negative perceptions for outsiders.
Gangs and media
Gangs and media
- Some cities also gain a reputation for gang-related crime linked to drugs and guns
- E.g. the East End of London and the activities of gangs such as the Kray twins, and recent knife and moped crime in London.
- Media often plays a role in enhancing such perceptions.
- E.g. in the 1980s TV series such as Boys from the Blackstuff and Z Cars portrayed the negative impacts of de-industrialisation in Liverpool.
Perceptions of Suburban and Inner-city Areas
Perceptions of Suburban and Inner-city Areas
There is a difference in perception between suburban and inner-city areas, and so a difference in who is attracted to these areas.
Suburban areas
Suburban areas
- Suburban areas are often favoured by young families. Schools tend to be better in these areas, houses have gardens and out-of-town retail parks are nearby.
- Ring roads and suburban rail networks make commuting to work relatively easy.
- Suburban areas are also favoured by older people and retired people because crime is usually low and it is more peaceful than the inner city.
Inner-city areas
Inner-city areas
- Inner city areas are favoured by young, professional workers.
- They can live in apartments close to work and enjoy all the entertainment facilities of the CBD.
- Inner city areas are also favoured by recently arrived migrants.
- Job opportunities are close by in the CBD and inner city housing is cheap. There may also already be established ethnic communities
- Inner city areas are also favoured by students because they are close to both university and entertainment venues.
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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