REGENERATION

Question 1

Explain why infrastructure investment such as fracking may help regeneration in some local economies but not others (6 marks)

Answer 1

AO1
 UK government policy decisions play a key role in regeneration, for example,
giving permission for ‘fracking’ affects economic regeneration options of urban
and rural regions.
 Infrastructure investment (high speed rail, airport development) seeks to
maintain growth and improve accessibility.
AO2
 Map shows the majority of sites given licences are in areas which have
suffered deindustrialisation, many of which still have low earnings. People
here may be keen to accept new source of income/jobs.
 Some licences are in areas where environmentalists, homeowners and others
will object to loss of amenity value of land (e.g. National Parks), drop in house
prices, congestion, pollution and noise during construction and extraction.
 Environmental risks of fracking and road/airport building are a concern for
many (water contamination, loss of land and biodiversity) but in areas
needing regeneration these may be disregarded by decision-makers and some
local groups.
 Some sites are near coasts where tourism/ retirement migration may occur.
 Allow consideration of other infrastructure investment e.g. HS2 and airport
expansion which will do little to help areas outside London and central
England, creating division and resentment in neglected areas.

Question 2

Suggest one reason why the unemployment rates for Hartlepool have varied (3 marks)

Answer 2

For example:
* Unemployment rates have risen because businesses have closed
due to competition from abroad (1) so those employed in the supply
chain also lose their jobs (1) and workers lack the skills needed for
any new businesses that start (1).
* Falling unemployment as qualifications obtained through school are
increased (1) so local people find employment in the new businesses
(1) and money circulates within the local economy (1).
* The financial crisis in 2008 led to both national and localised rising
unemployment rates (1) as the recession led to businesses closing
down (1) resulting in workers struggling to find employment in other
sectors due to high competition (1).
* Increased migration resulting in higher competition for jobs (1) so
local people struggle to gain employment (1) and lack appropriate
skills for other roles (1)

Question 3

Suggest possible reasons why Hartlepool’s unemployment rates are likely to remain higher than those of England (6 marks)

Answer 3

Relevant points may include:
AO1
* Over time places have changed their functions as industrial change affects
communities.
* Reasons for change include economic change, historical development and
planning.
* Levels of deprivation may remain high where change is experienced.

AO2
* The lasting effects of industrial decline can cause deprivation, which affects
subsequent generations and lowers aspirations.
* Other parts of England have grown more rapidly and seen more job creation than
former shipbuilding and steelworks areas.
* North-east is isolated from economic development in London/Europe so
Hartlepool has not benefited much from growth elsewhere.
* Although coastal, urban out-migration for retirement/second homes is less likely
to be attracted to former shipbuilding areas which may have environmental
degradation.

Question 4

Explain how international and global influences have shaped the social characteristics of your local place (6 marks)

Answer 4

Relevant points may include:
* International/global influences that have shaped chosen places could be
economic or social, and involve government/trade bloc/ international organisation
factors as well as migration, communication changes, ageing population and other
influences.
* Social characteristics include educational levels, life expectancy, health, migration
(urban/rural and international), ethnicity, culture, deprivation and others.
* Increased education/skill levels encouraged by government policy/ provision of
free training/investment in schools/colleges means retraining is possible,
changing social characteristics.
* Large numbers of migrants from a particular religion/group may live there so
places of worship, food shops, restaurants, cultural centres meet the needs of
local people.
* Factories have moved overseas due global shift in services/ manufacturing
leaving high rates of unemployment and deprivation.