In lesson you worked in groups sifting through information about one of the three demographic characteristics mentioned in the spec above.

The purpose of this homework is to give you the revision notes you will need and to start tackling an exam style question. 

1. Take notes on the following:

Gentrification ­ one demographic change that happens over time

• What is it? Why does it happen? Examples? Pros and cons of it.

Age Structure ­ a demographic characteristic that changes over time

• Which parts of the UK are aging faster than others? Why? What    challenges does this create?

Ethnicity ­ a demographic characteristic that changes over time

• How is ethnicity changing in the UK? Where are the biggest changes?    Why? Why?

2: Complete this Sample Exam Q:

Homework 7: Demographic Charcteristics

The line from the spec this HW hits

Use the info on the next 5 slides to complete this homework

"Explain how the demographic characteristics of places  can change over time."   [6 marks]

Homework 7 Info Booklet (5 slides)

The line from the spec this HW hits

EthnicityThe England and Wales census first asked the ethnic group question in 1991. It provides information on the population’s ethnic characteristics which can be used by private and public organisations to monitor equal opportunities and anti‐discrimination policies, and to plan for the future through resource allocation and informing provision of services.

2011 Census Headline figure:Whilst the majority of the population gave their ethnic group as “White” in the 2011 Census, results from the past 20 years show a decrease, falling from 94.1% in 1991 down to 86% in 2011. London was found to be the most ethnically diverse area, while Wales was the least diverse.

Across the English regions and Wales, London was the most ethnically diverse area, with the highest proportion of minority ethnic groups and the lowest proportion of the White ethnic group at 59.8 per cent, in 2011.

Ethnicity across English and Wales

Across the English regions and Wales, Wales was the least diverse area, followed by the South West and North East. Over 95 per cent of the population identified as White in these areas.

Within the White ethnic group, White British had decreased from 87.5 per cent in 2001 to 80.5 per cent in 2011.

Figure 1: Ethnic groups, England and Wales, 2011

Overview of all 3 demographic characteristics

Migrants arriving from the Caribbean, West Africa and India after world war 2 clustered in major cities (Jamaican migrants on the MV Empire Windrush settled near Brixton, a large Pakistani community settled in the industrial heartlands of Bradford, Huddersfield and Birmingham. As the Uk struggled with racism and prejudice, areas of some towns associated with ethnic minority communities saw collapsing property prices and spirals of decline. These conditions were made worse by poor housing, out‐migration and deindustrialisation, and parts of some towns, such as Middlesborough in the NE still suffer extreme deprivation today. Poor management of these changes to the ethnic composition of places created the need for regeneration. There is a link here to gentrification because some areas, because of their relative affordability in comparison to exceptionally expensive parts of major cities, have been transformed in to bohemian hotspots of thriving alternative music and artists. Brixton in London and St Pauls in Bristol are good examples of rapidly changes places that are attracting young graduates who are reshaping and rebranding these areas into cultural villages. When this process involves an influx of wealth it is known as gentrification.

Alongside the functional changes that occur in places (decline of the steel industry in Sheffield etc), there have also been demographic changes in the UK.

BBC, 2012

Age Structurehttps://parallel.co.uk/3D/population­density/#13/50.71225/­1.82723

Studentification Ageing population

Generally speaking age structure can change in two ways. In university cities the age structure can become younger with a disproportionate number of 18­15s (students). A good example is Oldfield Park in Bath. At the other end of the spectrum are areas with an increasing number of over 65s due to retirement migration. A good example of this is Bournemouth in Dorset.

What is the main difference between 2012 and the projection for 2037?

Age Structure

Oldest age structureSome local planning needs are related to specific age groups and therefore it is important to understand the possible changes to the age structure of an area when planning for the future.Focusing on the older age groups, Figure 1 shows that the number of people aged 65 and over is projected to increase in all regions by an average of 20% between mid­2014 and mid­2024 as a result of the general ageing of the population as projected in the national population projections. The fastest growth in those aged 65 and over is seen in London where the number is projected to increase by 23.6% from slightly under 1 million to 1.2 million over the 10 year period.

Estimates indicate that in mid­2014 there were 28 local authorities where more than a quarter of residents were aged 65 and over. By mid­2024, it is projected that the number with this proportion will have increased threefold to 84 local authorities. 

Quantifying these trends is important in order to inform organisations who are interested in the population in this age group. For example, projections can be used to inform organisations involved in planning for health and social care provision, reviewing transport needs and business planning. 

All regions of England are projected to see an increase in their population size over the next decade, with London, the East of England and South East projected to grow faster than the country as a whole. The population is also ageing with all regions seeing a faster growth in those aged 65 and over than in younger age groups.

Subnational population projections provide an indication of the future size and age structure of the population in the regions, local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups of England.

Some regions are 'older' than others. What challenges does this create?

(Resulting in a change in the Socio­Eonomic make up of an area)Gentrification 

As people move up the housing ladder it has been traditional for lower class migrants to move in to the vacated, cheapest and worst housing. This has often resulted in enclaves of ethnic minority groups in urban areas. Hence having things like the St Pauls Carnival in Bristol. This is known as Filtering. These areas of cheap housing often tend to be some of the most dilapidated and most in need of regeneration. Sometimes they regenerate through large public/private initiatives. Sometimes they regenerate through more of a piece meal process known as Gentrification.

Gentrification is a process by which the regeneration of inner cities can take place, but it is different from other schemes in that Gentrification is carried out by individuals or groups of individuals, and not by supported bodies. Gentrification is a process of housing improvement. It is associated with a change in the neighbourhood composition in which low income groups are displaced by more affluent people, usually in professional or managerial occupations. Wealthy/Middle Class people often buy up houses with depressed prices cheaply, and then renovate them and increase the value significantly. If this happens to a significant number of properties in an area then the demographic can change. This influx of middle class people in to previously run down areas also alters house prices and the services that are found in areas undergoing gentrification. The demographic and socio‐economic profile of the place therefore changes. Gentrification involves the rehabilitation of old houses and streets on an individual basis, but is openly encouraged by other groups such as estate agents, building societies and local authorities. Gentrification is taking place in the central parts of a wide number of towns and cities in the UK. Well documented examples include Notting Hill and Islington in London.

One of the clear positive outcomes is that the social mix of the area is changed and becomes more affluent. The purchasing power of the residents is greater which leads to rise in the general level of prosperity. The area becomes dominated by “yuppies”, with a subsequent increase in the number of bars, restaurants and other higher status services. The very nature of the refurbishment that takes place in each house leads to the creation of local employment, such as design, building work, furnishings and decoration.

There are, however, clear disadvantages of gentrification. Local people on low incomes find it increasingly difficult to purchase houses, as the price of refurbished property rises markedly. Indeed, the size of the privately rented sector diminishes as more properties are sold off. Friction and conflict occurs between the “newcomers” and the original residents. (Brooklyn, New York).

What is it?

Advantages

Disadvantages

Low house prices are prime for re‐development, especially when this occurs in areas that have the potential to become trendy/desirable places to live. A example of this 'potential' is St Pauls in Bristol. Traditionally a run down part of town, it lies right next to Cabot Circus, the new trendy shopping district in Bristol. This has suddenly made it a more desirable place to live.

Background

In addition to changes to the ethnic composition and age structure of an area, movements of different class groups within cities also alter the character and level of prosperity/deprivation of certain areas. This has profound implications for what level of regeneration may be needed.

Edexcel Spec Context

This is where over a period of time wealthier, middle class people move in to an area which displaces the existing lower class population. Over 10­20 years this changes the demograohic of an area.

Increasing distance from the CBD

CBD

CBD

CBD

CBD

CBD

Old housing occupied by low status groups

Better housing occupied by lower middle classes

Best housing occupied by upper middle classes

New housing built by upper middle classes or counterurbanisation

Lower social groups move up the housing scale = Filtering

Lower class migrants move in to vacated worst housing

Upper groups buy up old, run down housing cheaply, renovate and live in or sell on at a profit, changing the character of the urban area again (as new shops/bars open to cater for the new demographic)as lower class groups are out‐priced = Gentrification

scaffolding

Filtering and gentrification can be seen as a cycle

TRADITIONAL PATTERN

NEW PATTERN CREATED BY GENTRIFICATION

POORER PEOPLE SUDDENLY OUTPRICED...

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