Berkshire (CS)

Question 1

growth in berkshire

Answer 1

• 14.5% from 2001-2021
  due to : (PEST)
  -> P , grammar school = desirable education but house prices inc n causes social filtering (southall to slough to farnham)
  -> E , transport links to london + proximity to heathrow ; lizzy line,m4
  -> S , baby boom in 1960’s + 90s
  -> S , ethnic diversity (movmt of SA families)
  -> T , TNC investment along m4 corridor ; microsoft + oracle reading

Question 2

demographic changes causing slough to grow

Answer 2

• extensive post war housing developments = in langley + britwell to rehouse overspill pop from london.
• existing asian communities attract further migrants while white flight occurs from 46% to 36%
• abu dhabi investment (purchased queensmere + observatory shopping centres) are marketing redevelopment in housing
• grammar schools

Question 3

economic changes causing slough to grow

Answer 3

• proximity to heathrow airport = connectivity
• crossrail project opened in 2022 improves connectivity
• junction of m4/m25 + part of the m4 corridor is home to footloose industries (sectors that can be located anywhere)
• slough trading estate opened in 1920 = europes largest = HQ for mars + O2 and EU head office for lego + burger king.
• abu dhabi investment

Question 4

cultural changes causing slough to grow

Answer 4

• existing asian communities attract further migrants while white flight occurs from 46% to 36%
• successful / peaceful culturalism (loosening cultural tension)

Question 5

life changes causing slough to grow

Answer 5

• grammar school atract aspirational families = better education = better opportunities = better jobs = better QOL
• abu dhabi investment

Question 6

What are the early factors driving cultural change in Slough?

Answer 6

Fertility and mortality rates shift, changing population structure.

Migration introduces new languages, traditions, and belief systems.

Social clustering allows migrants to maintain shared identity and express culture.

Question 7

How is culture in Slough expressed in daily life?

Answer 7

Artefacts: Physical items like shops, clothing, buildings.

Sociofacts: Social behaviours and customs.

Mentefacts: Shared values, beliefs, and meanings in community spaces and activities.

Question 8

How does culture evolve over time in Slough?

Answer 8

Social media introduces new cultural ideas and influences.

2nd/3rd generations may integrate, causing cultural dilution.

Culture can also be exploited—turned into a tourist attraction or commodified.

Question 9

key demographic shifts in Slough

Answer 9

• Population grew by 13% (vs UK 6.6%, SE 7.5%).
• Only 59.4% born in UK (UK avg: 80%, SE: 82%).
• Indian & Pakistani groups both ~10% of population.
• A8 migration shift: Polish population down, Romanian up.
• Asian & British Asian are now the largest group: 46.7%.
• Decline in White British % and total.
• Highest % rise in population with dependent children in UK.

Question 10

Contrasting Viewpoints on Change in Slough

Answer 10

• Older White British residents may resent cultural change + competition for housing/resources.
• A8 migrants may feel less welcome post-Brexit, but economic opportunities persist.
• Asian & British Asian residents may feel secure as majority group.
• Parents appreciate grammar schools.
• London commuters value connectivity and new developments.
• Low-income residents/first-time buyers face rising unaffordability.

Question 11

economic and urban factors affecting Slough

Answer 11

• Slough Trading Estate.
• lizzy line
• new housing project (e.g. Horlick’s Quarter)
• Affordability crisis: 14th most unaffordable UK area (2021). = Rising house prices may push out lower-income residents.

Question 12

Successes of Immigration & Community in Slough

Answer 12

Low unemployment: just 1.4%, shows economic benefit.

Diverse High Street + many TNC HQs = global economy.

Diversity Days and cohesiveness celebrated.

Youth-led charity Aik Saath supports inclusion and conflict resolution.

BBC Panorama (2016) portrayed Slough’s growth positively.

Visit of Knife Angel raises awareness of social issues.

Question 13

Ongoing Concerns in Slough

Answer 13

Tensions: Asian attitudes to Roma, older migrants critical of newer ones.

Lack of affordable housing; 14th most unaffordable area (2021).

Lack of diversity in local leadership (e.g., no white/female Council cabinet).

Question 14

Community Cohesion Strategies in Slough

Answer 14

• Together As One / Aik Saath: youth-led charity promoting inclusion.
• # OneSlough Community Fund: £103,000 raised for local groups.
• Slough Council on Twitter (2017) encouraged white community involvement.
• The Curve (library & cultural centre).
• Knife Angel
• 927 new homes/year target (Slough Housing Strategy 2036)
• National ‘Uplift’ programme adds more police officers in Thames Valley.