The purpose of this bridging unit is to introduce skills and content from the A Level Geography courses based around the Shaping Places Unit. London Docklands is a classic example of regeneration which we will study as part of the course and which you will need to know it detail for your examination. To really get to grips with the location and processes involved I would like you to produce a report on how and why Docklands has changed.
Your task is to research and produce a report of approximately 1500 words called How and Why has London Docklands changed?
The report should attempt to answer the following key questions:
Why did London Docklands decline?
Please answer this question by researching the historical, physical, national and international influences on its decline. This should include covering the following questions:
What impact did world war 2 have on the decline of the docks?
Why did decolonialisation impact on the port and associated local manufacturing?
How did the invention of containerisation impact on the dock workers and their families?
What physical issues with the river Thames made it impossible to modernise the port?
How did London Docklands redevelop into a financial hub?
Please answer this question by researching the role of the UK government, urban development corporations and international influences on the connectivity and accessibility of docklands. This should include covering the following questions:
Who was the LDDC and what was there role in the development?
What was the location and purpose of the Enterprise Zone?
How did accessibility to docklands improve by road, rail and air?
Why were international companies interested in locating in London Docklands?
How has the Enterprise Zone impacted on the population of London Docklands?
Please answer this question by examining the census data for 2011 from two locations; Millwall (inside the EZ) and Custom House (outside the EZ). Follow the instructions on this Powerpoint to identify the differences between the two locations in terms of:
Economic Activity
Social Factors
Then look back over your research and suggest why the two areas are different.
The precise structure of the report is up to you but you must:
Give equal weight to each key question (equivalent to around 500 words) including any relevant annotated images, graphs, diagrams etc.
Provide evidence to support the points you make.
Contain clear referencing of sources for all materials used. Using either Footnotes, Endnotes or the Harvard referencing system
Here are a few weblinks which you might find useful to get your research started but you will want to find others to fully get to grips with the topic. Use some appropriate Google searching using key words from the enquiry questions above.
http://www.geog.biz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/London-Docklands.pdf
Datashine (Census data on maps, use Milwall/ Isle of Dogs area)
http://hidden-london.com/miscellany/demographics/ (follow links to Millwall/ Isle of Dogs)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=london+docklands+regeneration ( A collection of youtube's)
Remaking London: Decline and Regeneration in Urban Culture ( Very detailed university level book on the topic, it costs a bit but you might want to consider it as it is our main case study for this A level topic)
This report will be assessed against the A/B grade performance descriptor for A level Geography:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the content, concepts and processes.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of concepts and processes
Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of subject specific material.
Analyse, interpret and evaluate geographical information, issues and viewpoints and apply understanding in unfamiliar contexts.
Analyse and interpret geographical information, issues and viewpoints
Offer a valid evaluation of geographical information, issues and viewpoints
Demonstrate the ability to apply geographical understanding to unfamiliar contexts at different scales.
Select and use a variety of methods, skills and techniques to investigate questions and issues, reach conclusions and communicate findings
Select and use appropriately a range of methods, skills and techniques (including new technologies) when investigating questions and issues
Reach valid conclusions and communicate findings clearly in a structured manner appropriate to the task.
Feedback will be given with both comments and a traffic light- (Green= A/B level, Amber= C/D level, Red= Below A level standard).
There will be a short assessment (15 marks) of your understanding in an AS style test within the first couple of weeks.
This will have the following format:
Two 1 mark questions
One 4 mark explain question
One 6 mark explain question