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© Oxford University Press 2014 Series 26, Issue 1, September 2014 1
525GEOACTIVEUrban regeneration in Gloucester, UK
By Rebecca Lewis
A case study about urban regeneration in GloucesterThis case study is an account of recent improvements in
Gloucester in response to a number of economic, social
and environmental issues that were facing the city. It is
typical of many other cities around the UK in this respect.
The unit includes a brief history of the city, followed by a
more detailed look at recent changes that have been made
in order to improve the quality of life of its residents.
This case study covers:
• the need for regeneration
• history of development in Gloucester
• Gloucester Docks redevelopment – retail, leisure,
housing, access, art, special events
• plans for future and continuing development in the city.
Key vocabularyheritage, regeneration, sustainable growth, retail sector, economic downturn, brownfi eld site, spiral of decline
Learning outcomeAt the end of this case study, you will have learned about
urban regeneration and development in a typical city in
the UK.
Relevance to specifi cationsAQA A Unit 2: Human Geography, Section B,
Changing Urban Environments, page 17
http://fi lestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-9030-W-SP-14.PDF
AQA B Unit 1: Managing Places in the 21st Century, the Urban Environment, pages 10–12
http://fi lestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-9035-W-SP-14.PDF
Edexcel A Unit 3: The Human Environment, Topic 2, Settlement Change, 2.2 Changing land use in urban areas, page 33
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCSE%20New%20GCSE/9781446911907_GCSE_Lin_Geog_A_Issue_5.pdf
Edexcel B Unit 2: Dynamic Planet, Section A, Introduction to the Dynamic Planet, Topic 6, Changing Settlements in the UK, page 28
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCSE%20New%20GCSE/9781446911914_GCSE_Lin_Geog_B_Issue_5.pdf
OCR A Unit A731: Contemporary Themes in Geography, Similarities and Differences in Settlements and Population, pages 20–22
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/82576-specifi cation.pdf
OCR B Unit B563: Key Geographical Themes, Topic 2, Theme 2, Population and Settlement, pages 14–15
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/82581-specifi cation.pdf
WJEC A Unit 2: Human Options, Theme 11, Retail and Urban Change, page 20
http://www.wjec.co.uk/uploads/publications/16128.pdf
WJEC B Unit 2: Development and Problem Solving Geography, Theme 3, Uneven Development and Sustainable Environments, page 20
http://www.wjec.co.uk/uploads/publications/17213.pdf
CCEA Unit 2: Living in Our World, Theme A, People and Where They Live, pages 16–18; a copy of the specifi cation can be downloaded from:
http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/microsites/geography/gcse/index.asp
Cambridge
IGCSE
Theme 1, Population and Settlement, page 12
http://www.cie.org.uk/images/128378-2015-syllabus.pdf
Edexcel
IGCSE
Section B, People and their environments, see page 11
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/IGCSE%20New%20IGCSE/IGCSE2009_Geography_(4GE0)_Specifi cation.pdf
© Oxford University Press 2014 Series 26, Issue 1, September 2014 2
GEOACTIVE ● 525
Urban regeneration in Gloucester, UKGloucester is located in the county
of Gloucestershire in southwest
England and is built close to the
River Severn (Figure 1). It was
founded in AD97 by the Romans
who established the settlement as a
strategic crossing point over the
river, giving access to Wales.
Gloucester is arguably most famous
for its Cathedral (where fi lming for
three of the Harry Potter fi lms took
place) and its rugby club at
Kingsholm. The city has around 700
listed buildings which have special
architectural or historic interest –
13% are Grade I and II (UK average
is 6%). The city is level and compact
and therefore easily covered on foot;
much of the city is within 15
minutes’ walk of the centre. The
2011 census registered the
population at 121 700 and this is
projected to increase by more than
20% by 2035.
Urban regeneration – why is there a need?Urban regeneration simply means
the improvement of the built
environment. In Gloucester’s case,
the regeneration was planned by an
Urban Regeneration Company
(URC) which is an organisation that
unites private and public sector
partners to invest money in areas in
need of revitalisation. An initial
study by the Gloucester Heritage
Urban Regeneration Company
(GHURC) found there were a
number of issues facing the city,
which would be addressed by
regeneration. The key economic,
social and environmental issues are
summarised in Figure 2. Overall,
nine objectives were identifi ed by
the GHURC. Three of these are
examined in more detail here:
● to protect the city’s most valuable
assets
● to deliver sustainable economic
growth
● to make Gloucester a great place
to live and work.
There are many aspects to the
regeneration of any urban area and
Gloucester is no different. However,
retail is a major part of the plan, as
reviving shops and services can lead
to wider improvements for the local
community. The traditional heart
of retail in Gloucester is the area
fanning out from The Cross (where
the Roman roads of Eastgate,
Westgate, Northgate and Southgate
meet – see Figure 3). This area is
experiencing diffi culties resulting
from falling visitor numbers, which
is a problem common to many
British high streets. The construction Figure 1 Location of Gloucester
A River Severn fl oodplain occupies a large proportion of the city
B Lower than county average household income
C Highest unemployment rate in the county
D Poor retail provision
E Second highest crime rate in southwest England
F Contaminated land
G Homelessness
H Built heritage needing protection
I Pockets of acute deprivation
J Poorer than average health of residents
K Lowest educational achievement in the county
L Traffi c congestion
M Shortage of public open space
Figure 2 Issues facing GloucesterSource: ‘GHURC Area Regeneration Framework
Baseline Study – Final Report’
© Oxford University Press 2014 Series 26, Issue 1, September 2014 3
Urban regeneration in Gloucester, UK ● 525GEOACTIVE
of Gloucester’s ring road and the
pedestrianisation of the city centre
meant all vehicular traffi c bypassed
the area and The Cross was no
longer the main intersection at the
heart of the city. More recently,
changing shopping habits and the
recent economic downturn have
further contributed to falling visitor
numbers, resulting in the closure of
shops and services. The ward of
Westgate is amongst the 10% of
most deprived wards in the UK, and
12–15% of its shops are vacant.
What has been done since 2005?The GHURC was set up in 2005 and
wound up in 2013. Over the eight
years it raised more than £600
million; in addition, more than
1000 new jobs were created, along
with 700 new homes. The GHURC
originally highlighted seven sites
that would benefi t from
regeneration and help stimulate the
city’s economy, the so-called
‘Magnifi cent Seven’: The King’s
Quarter, Blackfriars, Gloucester
Docks, Gloucester Quays, Canal
Corridor, Greyfriars and the
Railway Triangle. Each of these is a
brownfi eld site – that is, one that
has previously been built on. This
unit will focus primarily on the
redevelopment of the Gloucester
Docks and Quays.
Brief history of the Gloucester DocksGloucester was granted port status
by Queen Elizabeth I in 1580,
making it the most inland port in the
country. Gloucester and Sharpness
canal links Gloucester to the Severn
estuary, allowing foreign imports
arriving at the coast to be brought
right into Gloucester, and from here
goods were carried to the growing
industrial towns in the Midlands via
inland canals. The boom era was
during the 1800s when the docks
handled cargo such as corn, salt and
timber, and the imposing
warehouses were in constant use
during this time. Gloucester became
the commercial and trading centre of
the region. However, as the 19th
century progressed, goods were
increasingly sent directly to their
fi nal destination, so use of the
warehouses declined. By the latter
half of the 20th century, and in the
face of competition from road
transport (particularly with the
construction of the M5), traffi c
through Gloucester Docks had
dwindled signifi cantly and the city
lost its central role in the region to
Cheltenham.
Regeneration of the Gloucester DocksThe Gloucester Docks were
recognised as having considerable
potential for redevelopment.
Indeed, it was hoped that by
enhancing the historic waterfront
environment, this would be a
catalyst for the regeneration of the
city as a whole. The following
section explores four key aspects of
this regeneration project.
Retail and leisure – the
Gloucester Quays
Gloucester was found to be
underperforming as a retail centre.
The Gloucester Quays was created
as part of the scheme to bring the
docks area back to life. This major
development secured £400 million
of funding and is for mixed use,
providing retail, leisure and
residential facilities. The Gloucester
Quays is primarily a ‘designer
outlet’ and was opened by the
television presenter and fashion
consultant Gok Wan in May 2009.
High-end brands such as Osprey
London, Calvin Klein and L.K.
Bennett are to be found alongside
familiar high street chains like Next,
Marks & Spencer and Gap. There
are also plenty of cafés, restaurants
and a ten-screen cinema. Visitors to
Gloucester include a signifi cant
number from the affl uent areas of
Cheltenham and the Cotswolds –
many of whom come primarily to
see the historic buildings, including
the Cathedral. These visitors have
considerable spending power, so it
was hoped the Gloucester Quays
development could take advantage
of this to help stimulate the local
economy.
Figure 3 The Cross and the Gloucester Docks
© Oxford University Press 2014 Series 26, Issue 1, September 2014 4
Urban regeneration in Gloucester, UK ● 525GEOACTIVE
Housing
Building a community at the docks
was important as residents breathe
life into the area in the evenings
when day trippers have returned
home, and also in the long term.
Former warehouses were converted
into modern apartments and new
residences were built in sympathy
with the traditional docks, emulating
the warehouse style (Figure 4).
Many fl ats boast waterside views,
open-plan living and many original
warehouse features.
Access and public art
Key to the success of Gloucester’s
regeneration was stimulating
movement of visitors between the
docks area and the historic heart of
the city. In order to do this the
GHURC altered vehicle traffi c fl ow
and built the Kimbrose Steps to
improve pedestrian access. The easier
pedestrian fl ow between Gloucester
Docks and The Cross will, it is hoped,
increase footfall in both locations.
Another element of regeneration
was installing street art, such as The
Candle sculpture (Figure 5), to draw
people down to the docks on foot.
This piece was designed by Wolfgang
Buttress and features lines from the
poem ‘Requiem’ by the Gloucester
poet and composer, Ivor Gurney,
which are engraved around the base.
This enhances the local culture and
heritage and invokes a unique sense
of place. Also, in encouraging
pedestrian movement between the
two main retail areas, it plays a part
in creating an integrated city centre.
Other attractions and special events
Gloucester Docks are also home to
Gloucester Waterways Museum,
Soldiers of Gloucester Museum, the
Gloucester Brewery and the
Gloucester Antiques Centre. These
provide further leisure
opportunities beyond retail, along
with several special events
scheduled throughout the year. The
Fireworks Festival is an autumn
attraction, while the Victorian
Christmas Market has been a festive
success. In the summer months, the
Docks host The Tall Ships Festival
and the Gloucester Quays Food
Festival. These are free events
which nonetheless encourage
visitors to spend money on food,
drink, entertainment and, ideally,
accommodation. The Food Festival
offers celebrity chef demonstrations
(Mary Berry and James Martin
have attended past events) for
those who wish to purchase tickets,
creating further publicity and
boosting visitor numbers.
Future regeneration in GloucesterSince the closure of the GHURC,
the task of overseeing regeneration
has been taken on by the newly
formed Gloucester Regeneration
Advisory Board (GRAB, part of
Gloucester City Council) which
most recently has been involved in
two further project areas:
● King’s Square When the GHURC
was set up, the ‘Magnifi cent
Seven’ sites were the focus of
redevelopment. However, at that
time no one could foresee the
global economic crisis that struck
in 2008 and which continues to be
felt today. The downturn means
that not all the planned
improvements were realised in the
lifetime of the GHURC. Despite
this the King’s Quarter – including
the beleaguered King’s Square –
will have £60 million of
investment and it is hoped that
500 jobs will be created. The
Square itself is seen as a blight on
Gloucester’s landscape, as its 1970s
design has looked dilapidated for
some time. Demolition of the
‘Golden Egg’ building, which had
been vacant for a decade, began in
January 2014.
Figure 4 Gloucester DocksSource: Photo by Rebecca Lewis
Figure 5 The Candle and Kimbrose StepsSource: Photo by Rebecca Lewis
© Oxford University Press 2014 Series 26, Issue 1, September 2014 5
Urban regeneration in Gloucester, UK ● 525GEOACTIVE
● Portas Review In May 2013
Gloucester was awarded funding
of £133 000 to be involved in the
Portas Review. Mary Portas
(dubbed the ‘Queen of Shops’)
was brought in by the
government to try and help
ailing high streets. It remains to
be seen how the money is spent
but it is hoped that this fi nancial
injection will go towards
encouraging people into the city
centre, both during the day and
at night, to spend money there.
Beyond regeneration projectsImproving the prospects for a city
such as Gloucester does not fall
solely to regeneration schemes.
Major one-off events can play a
part in improving an area’s
fortunes. It was a cause for
celebration, then, when
Gloucester’s Kingsholm stadium
was chosen to host four of the
Rugby World Cup fi xtures in 2015.
This will draw a large volume of
visitors (and their spending
money!), which will further boost
the local economy.
Further good news came in January
2014 when it was announced that
Gloucester Cathedral would be
bidding for UNESCO World
Heritage Status, to be awarded – it
is hoped – in 2019. Such an award
would increase visitor numbers and
assist in the city’s regeneration.
ConclusionThe regeneration of Gloucester is
ongoing. In the past it has suffered
various setbacks and
disappointments but much has
changed in the city for the better.
There are many aspects of
regeneration, but retail plays a key
role in addressing social, economic
and environmental issues in many
of the UK’s towns and cities.
Reviving the traditional high street
and the docks area in Gloucester
remains a signifi cant challenge.
Activities
1 Use Figure 1 to describe the location of Gloucester.
2 The GHURC is the only urban regeneration company in the UK to include the letter ‘H’ for Heritage. Explain why this word was included in the case of Gloucester.
3 Why do you think British high streets are suffering a decline in the number of visitors in recent years? Think about shopping behaviour, access to city centres and the economic climate, for example.
4 Look at Figure 2 which shows issues facing Gloucester, A–M. Draw up a table with the headings ‘Economic’, ‘Social’ and ‘Environmental’ (including the built environment) and sort the issues into these categories. (Note that some issues may be included under more than one heading.)
5 The Gloucester Docks was a brownfi eld site.
a Explain what this means.
b Suggest the advantages of using such a site for development.
6 Figure 6 shows data from the 2011 census relating to population structure.
a Copy and complete the table with the missing values for percentage males and females. Write your answer to one decimal place.
b Draw a pie chart showing the percentage of Gloucester’s population in the three categories: 0–19, 20–64 and 65+ years. Round each of your totals for the three categories to
the nearest whole number. Remember to include a key and a title on your diagram.
c Why might the relatively high proportions of young people (14 years and under) and those of working age (15–64 years) be a positive factor for the city’s regeneration?
Figure 6 Gloucester’s population structureSource: Offi ce for National Statistics, Census 2011
Age Males Females
Total % Total %
90+ 200 0.1 600 0.585–89 600 0.5 1100 0.980–84 1100 0.9 1600 1.375–79 1500 1.2 1900 1.670–74 2000 1.6 2100 1.765–69 2500 2.1 2800 2.360–64 3200 2.6 3400 2.855–59 3300 2.7 3300 2.750–54 4000 3.3 4000 3.345–49 4500 3.7 4600 3.840–44 4700 3.9 4600 3.835–39 4200 3.5 4000 3.330–34 4100 3.4 4100 3.425–29 4300 3.5 4400 3.620–24 4100 3.4 4300 3.515–19 4200 3.5 3800 3.110–14 3800 3500 5–9 3600 3500 0–4 4200 4100
Total population: 121 700
© Oxford University Press 2014 Series 26, Issue 1, September 2014 6
Urban regeneration in Gloucester, UK ● 525GEOACTIVE
7 Figure 7 shows an outline of a spiral of decline: a chain of events that reinforces itself to give a negative outcome. Complete a virtuous circle – a chain of events resulting in a positive outcome – that results from regeneration investment. The fi rst box should read ‘New shops and restaurants open’.
8 Imagine you work for the tourist board and you are in charge of attracting visitors to Gloucester. Design a poster or web page that you think will draw people to the city.
9 The following is a list of ways in which the city centre of Gloucester could be improved:
• Hanging baskets on lamp-posts
• More street benches
• Improved street lighting
• Greater CCTV coverage
• More public toilets
• More frequent litter collections
• Building an ice rink
• Incentives to encourage late night shopping.
Working in pairs or small groups, imagine that you are the team responsible for improving Gloucester’s city centre. Discuss how each of these ideas would enhance the area. Then rank them in order, starting with the one you think will be most effective. Justify your ranking. How did your order compare with that of other groups?
Figure 7 A spiral of decline
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Checkpoint
Glossary task
Write glossary defi nitions for these terms:
Brownfi eld site
Economic downturn
Heritage
Regeneration
Retail sector
Spiral of decline
Sustainable growth
Remember this case study
To help you remember this case study, make notes un-der the following headings:
Why urban generation is needed in cities
Case study: four aspects of regeneration in Gloucester
Plans for the future
Try to make your notes fi t a single sheet of A4.
• Regeneration in older cities is needed to improve the quality of life of people living there.
• Various aspects are involved in such redevelop-ment, e.g. retail, leisure, housing, access, art, special e vents.
• Continuing development must be part of the overall plan.