Geography Assignment Flashcards
Research methods
To carry out my research methods I visited both Fountainbridge and Colinton.
Intro
This assignment aims to find out if the suburbs are better to live in than the inner city by comparing the environmental quality, the traffic and population characteristics in the two areas. I have chosen to compare Colinton as my suburbs and Fountainbridge as my inner city area (see figure 1).
Environment quality research
I carried out an environmental quality survey in each of these areas by rating certain aspects of the surroundings, marks out of ten from worst to best. For example, building condition, landscape quality and litter. I sampled this in four different sites every 250m along a 1km transect. This was useful as I was able to compare the results as the scale was always the same and I conducted both surveys.
Traffic count research
I also carried out a traffic count in each area at four different sites. I recorded the number of cars, bikes and buses I saw and noted whether they were going into town or coming out of town. I used this method to try and discover which area was the busiest for traffic and potentially the most hazardous for children. I recorded the traffic for 5 minutes at each site, at approximately the same time and day of the week, to make the results comparable.
Traffic explanation
Colinton road is a much longer road than Gilmore place, so it is connected to many different areas where cars can come from to get to work.
Redford drive is not a direct route to the CBD so less people would be likely to travel along it to get to work.
Many people choose not to travel by bike because it is dangerous and there are few cycle lanes.
Fountainbridge was less busy with cars because the council have improved public transport systems.
Environmental quality explanation
Tenements at Gilmore park were built much longer ago than the detached housing at Westgarth avenue, when the factory workers lived there because it was close to their work. Fountainbridge was also built first because it is closer to the inner city.
Many factories near Gilmore park have been demolished creating a brownfield site. City planners are encouraging redevelopment in these inner city areas as there is a lack of building space in Edinburgh. The sites are costly to build on because they are closer to the CBD so flats tend to be built. Westgarth avenue has little derelict land because the buildings are not so old.
Population characteristics explanation
In Colinton most of the housing is detached and is large enough for families to buy and settle down in but in Fountainbridge the housing is flats which mainly students who rent them out stay in.
Conclusion
Using the evidence I have found I can come to the conclusion that the suburbs are a better place to live in than if you are elderly or have a family with children as the housing is more suitable. Colinton also has a nicer environment for children to grow up in. Despite this, if you are a student then the inner city is a better place to live in because it is closer to the CBD and provides cheaper housing which can be rented out.
