To discover land uses in various parts of Southampton and to compare these with Dorchester describing any changes that have occurred or are occurring.

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GCSE Geography Coursework

                Lloyd Walton

Contents

Aim and Introduction                                              Page 2

Land Use Models                                                   Page 3

Methodology                                                     Page 6

Pedestrian Counts                                                 Page 8

Growth and Decline score sheets                        Page 19

Transect Maps                                                Page 23

Annotated Photographs                                        Page 31

Data Analysis                                                 Page 36

Conclusion                                                         Page 40

Evaluation                                                        Page 41

Filed sketches                                                Page 42

Aim and Introduction:

To discover land uses in various parts of Southampton and to compare these with Dorchester describing any changes that have occurred or are occurring.

In Southampton we want to know:

  • What are the different areas of Southampton like?
  • How do they differ?
  • Is it like this in Dorchester?
  • Are changes happening?
  • Has it always been this way?

Background information:

Southampton is a major regional centre on the south coast of the UK; it has a wide range of services. Many people visit Southampton because of its shopping attractions such as West Quay Shopping Centre. Southampton’s population is 217 445, it is sited around the confluence of the river Test and Itchen. The city itself is located off the M27 in Hampshire and is the South of England’s main dock area for importing and exporting goods.  The road and rail network in and around Southampton also allow for easy commuting to other major cities, including the capital, London (known as a commuter belt).

Dorchester is a market town in Southern Central Dorset, England, situated on the river Frome and A35 road, 20 miles West of Poole and 5 miles North of Weymouth. The town had a population 16, 171 and a catchment population of approximately 40,000 with 7,389 dwellings in 2001, but with the new, and developing Poundbury Village, these figures are likely to increase.  The Poundbury Village is an example of a development on a ‘Green Field’ site. In Dorchester in 2001 there were 205 shops around the town. Dorchester has been the county town of Dorset since 1305.

Dorchester was compared to Southampton as there is a big contrast between town and city life. To start with there is a big difference in the populations and the sphere of influence is greater in the cities because of the facilities such as the shopping centres tourists would be likely to go.  Southampton has a well known shopping centre called West Quay and people from up to 80 miles away would come and shop here, on the other hand people may come to Dorchester from up to 25 miles as the facilities are not so good here, as compared to a city.

Land Use Models

Land use models are theories which attempt to explain the layout of urban areas. A model is used to simplify complex, real world situations, and make them easier to explain and understand. There are two main land use models that apply to urban areas in MEDCS (More Economically Developed Countries). The first is the Concentric Model (also known as the Burgess Model).

The Central Business District (CBD) is at the heart of any city. It is the part of the city where most business is conducted. The Central Business District (CBD) is generally located in the centre of a town or city with all route ways leading to it, making it the most accessible place in the city. Consequently, it is the most intensively used part of the city and as a result competition for space to conduct business is great; therefore land values are high and only large businesses can locate there. That is why no houses can locate there.

The Hoyt Model

B1 - Zone of Transition
Wholesale Light Manufacturing

Old industries that have been positioned in this zone for many years (growing out with the wedge) can be found here. Over the past 20 years or so, this industry has been non-profitable and has closed leading to high unemployment.

Redevelopment and renewal in this area and the growth of zone A to meet the needs of an expanding town mean that Zone B is in a state of constant change (hence its name).

B2 - Zone of Transition
Low Class Residential Housing

Often known as "Old Inner City Areas". This group is made up of old 19th century buildings arranged in gridiron street patterns, with no gardens. Often referred to as 'slums', these were the buildings that were knocked down in the 1960s to be replaced with the 'high-rise flats'.


Redevelopment and renewal in this area and the growth of zone A to meet the needs of an expanding town mean that Zone B is in a state of constant change (hence its name). The poorest people in the settlement live here, but it is now fashionable for of warehouses to be refurbished in the centre of some cities for sale at extremely high prices.

C - Council Estates

Semi-detached housing can be found here with gardens and on large estates. Less expensive private estates can also be found here.

D - Commuter Zone (suburbs)

High-class residential area where private, top quality housing can be found. Detached and semi-detached housing can be built on cheaper land here. Often many have garages. Big gardens and many outbuildings can be found here.

E - Countryside Areas

In the countryside surrounding the urban area, those seeking to escape from the urban area can live in pleasant rural surroundings whilst still being close to work. Many satellite villages and towns surround major urban areas, allowing people to live further away from the main settlement.

Map of Southampton and Dorchester:

        


Burgess Model


Methodology:

Collecting the Data.

Throughout the day we collected various pieces of information to help us with our project. The places we went to were Millbrook Residential Area, Millbrook Industrial Area, City Centre, Ocean Village and Hedge End.  

Growth and Decline score sheet

Each area was scored from 3 to -3 depending on its state. 3 if it is good and -3 if it is bad.  Using the criteria’s listed below the overall score was calculated for each area identified.

The criteria’s are:

Scaffolding, Renovations/Improvements, New Facades, New Buildings, Pedestrian Areas, Cared for Houses, “To be developed on this site” signs, Cared for Areas-Street Furniture and Neat Paved Areas, Buildings for Sale or Let, Graffiti, Vandalism, Boarded up Shops/Factories etc. Demolished or Derelict Buildings, Fly Posters, Litter, Neglected e.g. peeling paint, Cracked Uneven Roads and Pavements-Weeds Growing etc. The reasons for doing this observation is to compare different areas of Southampton to see if they are a smart and growing environment or a run down and in decline.

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Pedestrian Counts

In Southampton: we collected data from Millbrook residential area, Millbrook dock entrance, city centre near junction civic centre road, city centre outside boots, and city centre near junction with Briton street. In Dorchester: we collected data from South Street, Tesco roundabout, Maud Road and New Poundbury.  A pedestrian count of pedestrians, lorries, cars, buses and motorcyclists was carried out covering a period of five minutes with results recorded in the table below.  The reasons for doing this are so we can see what areas of Southampton are like and whether they are occupied or quiet during the ...

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