"Do houses decline in age and increase in size style price and men environmental quality as one moves out from the central business district of hove."
GCSE HOVE STUDY
"Do houses decline in age and increase in size style price and men environmental quality as one moves out from the central business district of hove."
We are aiming to find out if houses become more sparse, modern , larger and increase in individuality with larger surrounding land, as we move further away from the Central Business District (CBD) We will be noting damage to property, vandalism and factors which affect quality of life as well as the house prices and recording the inevitable rises as we walk along our transect line: from the tightly packed Victorian terraces adjacent to the CBD out towards the suburban outskirts of Hove.
A few Geographers have tried to put this urban growth pattern into perspective.
A geographical pioneer named Burgess, after studying Chicago, illustrated a possible theory.
Burgess' Model
Burgess' theory was of a concentrically structured pattern to housing and business structures to a city. The fact that land values are at their peek towards the inner city and CBD and decrease out towards the medium class housing and suburbia became the basis for his model. He stated that towns grow outwards in a concentric fashion with old high rise office blocks and modernised shopping centres in the centre where the town originally started centuries ago, with rings of land use zones forming ever increasing diametrically from, firstly, the CBD.
The next ring is often wholesale light manufacturing, containing education facilities, museums, libraries, cinemas and general indoor amenities. The residential areas in this zone according to Burgess tend to be Victorian terraces and 1960's inner city re-development, (Tower blocks set up to solve the overcrowding in terraced housing). Often referred to as the Twilight zone; this district is often found under funded and in dis-repair after its boom in the Victorian times.
Burgess' next zone was the Medium class residential or 'urban sprawl' built in the inter war period (1920s- 30s). Long roads of semi detached houses, less densely packed than the inner city and home to more well off families. After the war council estates were developed on the outskirts along with post war semi detached housing, this was an affordable and popular idea proposed by councils.
Burgess' last band, contained modern, high class residential. With large front and back gardens and driveways, minimum 5 beds. It is a quiet, content place to live. Otherwise known as modern suburbia, this area is home to the higher income families.
Another geographer named Hoyt proposed a contrasting idea.
Hoyt's Theory
Hoyt observed, similarly to Burgess, that towns grow and form land use zones concentrically but in wedge shaped sectors, due to transport links. This means that you can walk from the CBD North, South, East or West outwards and observe a continuously modernised band of Residential, Commercial or Industrial zones.
Both Burgess and Hoyt took into account that land value rises towards the CBD and as land property becomes more sparse the value of the land drops. This is a key factor which influenced ...
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Another geographer named Hoyt proposed a contrasting idea.
Hoyt's Theory
Hoyt observed, similarly to Burgess, that towns grow and form land use zones concentrically but in wedge shaped sectors, due to transport links. This means that you can walk from the CBD North, South, East or West outwards and observe a continuously modernised band of Residential, Commercial or Industrial zones.
Both Burgess and Hoyt took into account that land value rises towards the CBD and as land property becomes more sparse the value of the land drops. This is a key factor which influenced their models.
We plan to see if Hove fits either one of these trends. We will be observing house size, building materials, quality, necessary repair work, size of plots and relating to the 2 models to conclude whether or not Hove fits their concentrically structured arrangement of zone types and housing.
Hove is a joint city with Brighton, It lies on the South cost of England. Brighton used to be a small fishing port but rapidly expanded due to tourism. The city of Brighton and Hove thrives on tourism today and the Victorian influences are still present in the housing of Hove.
Our root, observing the housing in Hove, took us from the CBD of Hove (Blatchington Road/ George Street) north through the terraced streets of Livingstone Road and Shirley Street, our first observation point. We continued north past Newtown Road, (the second stop off point), left into Hove Park Road for 400 meters and left again resting at The Droveway/ Bishops Road area, again observing the surroundings. Our journey ended at Tongdean Road, our last observation point.
At each point (A,B,C,D) we followed a consistent data recording strategy.
Firstly we would stand at a fixed point and examine 20 houses (10 from each side of the road) Tallying the features of the housing tenure; an environmental survey.
We tallied style: Detached, semi, flats, bungalow
Size: Large; 4beds, medium; 2/3 beds, small; 1 bed.
Garden provision,
Car parking,
Building materials and other features such as double glazing, burglar alarms, loft conversions.
We also charted an index of decay where the physical condition and damage to the structure of the building was noted and was given a number (1-11) (none, little, some, much) Criteria such as peeling paint, broken gutters and sagging roof were acknowledged. Local services were observed as this reflects the council funding in the area. We noted houses for sale as this shows if the area is a "stopgap" for people looking for better housing, rented with brief stay tenants or a settled contented neighbourhood. We recorded any parking meters as this is an indicator of population density and efficiency of public transport in the area.
I tried to talk to as many people as possible to find out about the current state of the neighbourhood, something which the housing and streets may not show. I was also putting time towards observing lichen on the lampposts and trees, lichen can only be sustained in high purity of air and so is a good indicator of air pollution.
Area D- Livingston Road
In this area I observed closely packed 1860's Victorian housing, a lot of it being gentrified; houses bought, renovated and sold. Planning restrictions and conservation laws do not seem to apply in this area, and there is a lot of individuality in the renovation of the housing. Older gentrified houses sport weather boarding and newer houses have had double glazing installed and loft conversions. This is a worthy investment as a lot of profit can be made and put towards a nicer house. Prices in this area are at about 120- 150,000. Some of the smaller businesses such as a fish and chip shop are being converted into housing, as of the high demand due to the streets location near the CBD and Hove Station. After talking to labour workers I found out that this shop was burned down by vandals but instead of being rebuilt is being turned into housing. I have observed poor quality and conditioned cars suggesting a low income area. The parking for these cars is tight with street parking meters on linear, gridlike roads. Aside from residential, other land uses such as a convenience store, a pub, a social club and a Chinese takeaway were observed. As well as small pockets of industry for example, a small, family run garage and car repair centre is present, tucked into the end of a terrace.
There is a distinct lack of sub division within the properties in Livingstone and Shirley Street with most houses remaining whole owned.
On the outskirts of the main terraced sector, high rise tower blocks can be observed. Comprehensive re-development occurred strenuously in the 1960's, many people were re-housed in this fashion at that time to solve the problem of over crowding in the Victorian terraces.
This area used to have a warm, friendly atmosphere with communal baths and horse drawn carriages on the once cobbled streets. Now, having talked to an old local man, people are less inclined to be friendly and welcoming. "People are not settling down in these houses, they get on with their own business"
There is a lot of noise pollution coming from Blatchington Road and although litter, not an issue, there is a general run down, shabby feel about this neighbourhood. This is reflected in the peoples faces and the aura; there is no birdsong and few parks/ recreational facilities. This area simply serves its purpose of housing people cost effectively.
I have compiled an "index of decay" to show the level of bomb damage that this area suffered in WW1. Using ten houses from each side of the road I also recorded a tally chart to note distinguishing styles and features.
Area C- Newtown Road
In this road I observed larger terraced housing than in the previous observation point nearer to the CBD, with 3 to 4 beds and prices ranging from £200- 300,000. Many of the houses show signs of gentrification (weather boarding, double glazing, loft convertions, tile hanging) in an attempt to raise land values so there is a lot of individuality in the properties. Skips are present in the street showing that people have been in the process of renovating their properties. This was certainly the case for this area previously in the last 2 years but recently it has become more settled. The gardens are larger, front and back and the road is wider, creating a sense of great space. A lot of the houses are sub- divided into flats, again the increase in house size from the CBD allows for this. This area has a more permanent feel with very few "for sale" signs over Livingstone Road, this may suggest that the residents are families or the elderly. The parking in this street appears to be more of a problem with no parking meters, no private driveways and many commuters using the parking space for access to a nearby train station.
Newtown Road has some small business; a convenience store, post office and a new patisserie I'm told. Closely observing Newtown Road it is possible to see how original residents in the 1960's have bricked up some front windows, avoiding payment on some of their window tax.
Newtown Road has a definite warm and spacious atmosphere, with some birdsong and some delightful front garden shrubbery and street trees. Its location near the Old Shoreham does account for some noise pollution but it is tolerable. Again I have charted an index of decay.
Our transect line is now taking us north of the Old Shoreham Road where the post/ inter- war development took place, the houses will continue to get bigger, more substantial and modern.
Area B- Bishops Road
In this survey point at Bishops road the houses are all detached, and of a substantial, comfortable family size, each one vastly differing in style than the next. A typical house here would have 5 beds and would be priced at £300- 400,000. There appears to be a loose mock Tudor/ 1930's chalet style theme running through the properties of this Hove district. 100 or so years ago this area was all countryside where rich landowners bought a plot of land to be used to build a property on, hence the individuality of the buildings. Properties in this area have all been gentrified, double glazing, burglar alarms, and loft conversions are to be seen on every house. Every house has a driveway, frequently used to park 2 or more cars. (In the 1950's cars were becoming more popular especially with the rich) The roads are wide, indeed cars can park on either side of the road and have enough room for 2 fairly modest lanes. The streets feel safe with Neighbourhood Watch stickers commonplace. Very little litter and a pleasant atmosphere make this place ideal for a more quiet person seeking to escape the busy town. Recreational areas, parks and playgrounds are always nearby with relatively little traffic. Having said this locals may inform you that the arrival of Hove rugby club 2 years ago brings slight congestion as drivers frequently use these roads as a "rat run" from Dyke Road.
Bishops Road is a very quiet road with strong evidence of wealth in the housing size, garden size and car numbers/ quality. My index of decay has charted any immediate structural damage.
