Coursework 2011Introducing the place where you live

Quick Quiz:

What is the population of Luton?a. 184,000b. 174,000c. 164,000

What percentage of Luton residents are Asian or Asian-British according to the last census?a. 5%b. 18%c. 33%

Is unemployment in Luton higher or lower than the rest of the East of England?

What is Luton’s nearest A.O.N.B.?

How far is Luton from London?

What % of people in Luton are aged 0-15?a. 20b. 24c. 28

Where is Luton?Figure 1

Today’s targets:- To know the aim and purpose of the study- To gain a solid understanding of the background to this study

through secondary data

Introducing the place where you live

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?The introduction section of your coursework should:• Provide a clear statement of aim and purpose• Describe location of study using appropriate geographical

language• Include appropriate maps using GIS• Use secondary data to provide wider background to study• Annotate maps to make clear the location of study• Link study to wider geographical issues and theory• Explain why the location is an ideal place for this study• Justify the reasons for the study

Introducing the place where you liveToday’s target:- To know the aim and purpose of the study

TASK FOCUS: Can urban areas be made more sustainable?

HYPOTHESIS: Luton’s Local Action Plan for sustainable development has been successful.

AIM AND PURPOSE: To prove or disprove the hypothesis above using primary and secondary data to find out if Luton is a

sustainable living space.

Introducing the place where you liveToday’s target:- To gain a solid understanding of the background to this study through secondary data

LUTON’S LOCAL ACTION PLAN (2001-2011)

-Aim: To achieve sustainable development in Luton [LAP: 4.2, 2001].

-Their definition of sustainable development is:

“‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.

[LAP: 4.3, 2001].

-The plan identifies four key areas of focus:

Environmental issuesSocial issues

Economic issuesInfrastructure issues

Introducing the place where you liveToday’s target:- To gain a solid understanding of the background to this study through secondary data

Which parts of Luton does the Local Action Plan (2001) apply to?

1.Central area2.Butterfield3.Stockwood Park4.Marsh Farm5.High Town6.London Luton Airport7.Kimpton Road (former Vauxhall car plant).

1

2

3

4

56

7 In our study we will only be assessing the success of the plan in the CENTRAL AREA (1).

Figure 2

Site 2:Luton Train Station Site 3:George StreetSite 1: Bridge Street

Figure 3

Picture A Picture B Picture C

Environmental Issues:Protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment of Luton Requiring good design in Luton to make it an attractive place and to deliver an urban renaissance

Social Issues:Housing Meeting local housing needs, including the need for affordable housing Leisure and community facilitiesMaking adequate and appropriate provision for sport, leisure and community development and green space to meet local community needs

Economic Issues:EmploymentReducing levels of unemployment by retaining, strengthening and adding to employment opportunities in Luton Retail Retaining the sub-regional shopping role of Luton and maintaining the vitality and viability of the town centre and other shopping areas whilst meeting the shopping needs of residents

Infrastructure Issues:TransportationPromoting public transport, cycling and walking in Luton to reduce the need to travel by car, thereby reducing congestion and motorised transport’s contribution to greenhouse gases UtilitiesAccommodating the demand for telecommunications, managing waste in a sustainable way, and accommodating future energy needs

The best hypotheses are split up into smaller chunks to make the focus of the study clearer. For example, you could state the main hypothesis (above) and then write something like:I have split my main hypothesis into four smaller ones:

•Luton’s Local Action Plan to achieve environmental sustainable development has been successful. Through this mini-hypothesis I will be examining...

•Luton’s Local Action Plan to achieve social sustainable development has been successful. Through this mini-hypothesis I will...

•Luton’s Local Action Plan to achieve economic sustainable development has been successful. Through this mini-hypothesis I will...

Luton’s Local Action Plan to achieve sustainable development through renewed infrastructure has been successful. Through this mini-hypothesis I will...

Introducing the place where you liveToday’s target:- To gain a solid understanding of the background to this study through secondary data

PopulationTotal Population: 184,000Population Density: 42 people/hectare

Population Structure: Ethnicity:

Figure 5Figure 4

Figure 6: Unemployment Rates for Luton and the East of England.

Figure 7: % of households without a car or van (2001).

ReferencesLuton Local Action Plan, Luton Borough Council, 2001.

www2.luton.gov.uk/localplan/plan_index.htm

Maps and Pictures:

Figure 1: Luton Borough Council, 2006.

Figure 2: Luton Borough Council, 2001.

Figure 3: Google Maps, 2011.

Figure 4, 5 and 7: 2001 Census: www.census.gov.uk

Figure 6: Luton Borough Council, 2001.

Picture A: www.dailymail.co.uk

Picture B: www.geograph.org.uk

Picture C: www.showvan.co.uk

Planning and Introduction• Provide a clear statement of aim and purpose

• Describe location of study using appropriate geographical language

• Include appropriate maps using GIS

• Use secondary data to provide wider background to study

• Annotate maps to make clear the location of study

• Link study to wider geographical issues and theory

• Explain why the location is an ideal place for this study

• Justify the reasons for the study