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UK cities: census, inequality and retail change
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UK cities are always changing. Migration, jobs and the way we shop all reshape them.
Population and migration
The census, taken every 10 years, records who lives where: age, ethnicity, housing and jobs.
Cities grow through national migration (people moving from other parts of the UK, often for jobs and universities) and international migration.
Migration changes the age structure of areas (many young adults), the ethnic mix, and demand for housing and services such as schools.
Cities grow through national migration (people moving from other parts of the UK, often for jobs and universities) and international migration.
Migration changes the age structure of areas (many young adults), the ethnic mix, and demand for housing and services such as schools.
Inequality
Economic change can increase inequality within a city.
Some areas gain well-paid jobs and new flats; others suffer from unemployment after factories close.
This shows up in differences in income, health, life expectancy, education and housing quality between neighbourhoods.
Some areas gain well-paid jobs and new flats; others suffer from unemployment after factories close.
This shows up in differences in income, health, life expectancy, education and housing quality between neighbourhoods.
Changes in retailing
CBD decline: many high street shops have closed.
Out-of-town shopping centres with free parking have grown, such as Meadowhall near Sheffield (opened 1990), the Trafford Centre in Manchester (1998) and Bluewater in Kent (1999).
Internet shopping has grown rapidly, so many town centres now focus on leisure, cafes and housing.
Out-of-town shopping centres with free parking have grown, such as Meadowhall near Sheffield (opened 1990), the Trafford Centre in Manchester (1998) and Bluewater in Kent (1999).
Internet shopping has grown rapidly, so many town centres now focus on leisure, cafes and housing.
Explain why out-of-town shopping centres have grown.
- Land at the edge of the city is cheaper, so centres can be large.
- They have free parking and are near motorways.
- Many shops, restaurants and cinemas are in one place, under cover.
Answer: Cheap land, easy car access and free parking, with everything under one roof.
The census (every 10 years) shows population changes. Migration changes age structure, ethnicity, housing and services. Economic change can increase inequality between areas. Retail has moved from the CBD to out-of-town centres and online.
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