-Changing spaces, making places
1. What’s in a place?
Case studies of two contrasting place profiles at a local scale, including:
their demographic, socio-economic, cultural, political, built and
natural characteristics that shape their place identity.
Lympstone
Demographic Characteristics:
Age & Social Profile: High proportion of adults; a top-heavy
age structure (most residents aged over 16). Approximately
one-third of the population occupied in senior management
roles.
Ethnic & Religious Makeup: Predominantly white (around
98%). About 66% of residents identifying as Christian.
Economic Status: Average annual salary is approximately
£43,000, reflecting a relatively affluent commuter settlement.
Socio-Economic & Cultural Characteristics:
Historical Background: Established by Saxons (displacing
earlier Celtic populations); evolved as a small, working port
involving shipbuilding, fishing, and shellfish industries. The
arrival of the railway in 1861 significantly improved
connectivity.
Cultural Identity: Rich maritime heritage and longstanding
traditions tied to coastal lifestyles and craftsmanship.
Political & Administrative Ties: Closely linked to Exeter—the
regional hub—with political and economic support that
reinforces its commuter status.
Built & Natural Environment:
Built Environment: A mix of historic port-related structures
alongside modern, well-planned commuter housing.
Community-led campaigns often focus on preserving old
architecture (e.g., churches and maritime buildings).
Natural Environment: Set along the banks of the River Exe
estuary, characterized by a narrow valley with red breccia
cliffs and coastal features.
Regional Connections: Past maritime trade and modern
commuter-friendly infrastructure embed Lympstone within
regional, national, and even international tourism and
transport networks.
Toxteth (Liverpool)
Demographic Characteristics:
, Population Diversity: Highly multicultural community:
approximately 78% White; 7% Black African/Caribbean; 6%
Mixed; 5% Asian; and 4% other ethnicities. A long history of
diverse migration, including significant post-World War II
migration from Commonwealth countries.
Economic & Social Challenges: Lower average annual salary
around £31,000. Home ownership rates are low –
owner-occupation below 30% (compared to a national average
of over 60%). Car ownership is under 50%, indicating limited
disposable income.
Educational Attainment: Only about one-third of pupils achieve
5+ GCSEs, reflecting challenges in local educational provision.
Socio-Economic & Cultural Characteristics:
Historical Evolution: Grew from a prominent port (with
activities including transatlantic trade and, historically, even
the slave trade) into an industrial powerhouse during the
Georgian and Victorian eras. Transitioned from affluent
merchant quarters (with grand Georgian houses) to densely
built terraced housing for dock and industrial workers.
Cultural Identity: A dynamic cultural landscape featuring
mosques, synagogues, and churches – symbolizing a blend of
longstanding traditions with more recent migratory influences.
Political Landscape: Part of the Liverpool Riverside
Parliamentary constituency, historically characterized by
working-class politics and strong labour representation.
Built & Natural Environment:
Built Environment: The urban fabric reflects rapid
industrialization: from spacious Georgian structures to
crowded terraced housing built during industrial expansion.
Ongoing urban regeneration projects aim to revitalize
brownfield sites and support cultural tourism (e.g., Liverpool
Tate and science parks).
Natural Environment: Situated on the banks of the River
Mersey, historically advantageous for fishing and trade, which
spurred early settlement and port development.
Regional & Global Embedding: Industrial legacy links Toxteth
to global trade routes, while contemporary redevelopment
(aided by EU funding and transnational investments) connects
it to broader economic and cultural flows.
their past and present connections that shape the place identity and
embed them in regional, national, international and global scales
Lympstone:
, Past Connections: Founded by Saxons and shaped by maritime
trade (shipbuilding, fishing, shellfish industries). The small
port and railway connectivity in the 19th century built its
initial identity.
Present Connections: Functions as a commuter settlement
with strong ties to Exeter and London. Active community
preservation efforts (including protests inappropriate modern
developments) ensure that historical architecture and
traditions remain central. EU and local investment have
supported regeneration projects, integrating Lympstone into
modern regional networks.
Toxteth:
Past Connections: Origin as a strategic port area on the River
Mersey fostered early urban and economic growth. Evolved
through waves of industrialization, from prosperous merchant
quarters to densely populated worker communities.
Present Connections: Remains embedded in regional
(Liverpool), national, and global scales through continuous
migration, cultural exchange, and urban redevelopment. EU
funding and transnational corporate investments have driven
urban regeneration and cultural rebranding efforts. Active
political engagement within the Liverpool Riverside
constituency connects local issues to broader national
debates.
how shifting flows of people (such as commuter, migration),
resources (such as natural, technology), money and investment
(such as EU funding, TNCs) and ideas (such as knowledge economy)
have helped shape the demographic, socio-economic and cultural
profile of these places over time
People:
Lympstone: Influx of commuters from nearby regional hubs,
reinforcing an older, professional demographic. Moderate
population growth through migration linked to lifestyle and
heritage preservation.
Toxteth: Historical and ongoing migration (both domestic and
international) has fostered a vibrant multiethnic community.
Resources & Natural Flows:
Lympstone: Natural scenic and coastal resources support
tourism and leisure, reinforcing its heritage identity.
Toxteth: Transition from traditional port-based resource flows
(fishing, industrial materials) to urban redevelopment and
creative reuse of brownfield sites.
Money & Investment:
1. What’s in a place?
Case studies of two contrasting place profiles at a local scale, including:
their demographic, socio-economic, cultural, political, built and
natural characteristics that shape their place identity.
Lympstone
Demographic Characteristics:
Age & Social Profile: High proportion of adults; a top-heavy
age structure (most residents aged over 16). Approximately
one-third of the population occupied in senior management
roles.
Ethnic & Religious Makeup: Predominantly white (around
98%). About 66% of residents identifying as Christian.
Economic Status: Average annual salary is approximately
£43,000, reflecting a relatively affluent commuter settlement.
Socio-Economic & Cultural Characteristics:
Historical Background: Established by Saxons (displacing
earlier Celtic populations); evolved as a small, working port
involving shipbuilding, fishing, and shellfish industries. The
arrival of the railway in 1861 significantly improved
connectivity.
Cultural Identity: Rich maritime heritage and longstanding
traditions tied to coastal lifestyles and craftsmanship.
Political & Administrative Ties: Closely linked to Exeter—the
regional hub—with political and economic support that
reinforces its commuter status.
Built & Natural Environment:
Built Environment: A mix of historic port-related structures
alongside modern, well-planned commuter housing.
Community-led campaigns often focus on preserving old
architecture (e.g., churches and maritime buildings).
Natural Environment: Set along the banks of the River Exe
estuary, characterized by a narrow valley with red breccia
cliffs and coastal features.
Regional Connections: Past maritime trade and modern
commuter-friendly infrastructure embed Lympstone within
regional, national, and even international tourism and
transport networks.
Toxteth (Liverpool)
Demographic Characteristics:
, Population Diversity: Highly multicultural community:
approximately 78% White; 7% Black African/Caribbean; 6%
Mixed; 5% Asian; and 4% other ethnicities. A long history of
diverse migration, including significant post-World War II
migration from Commonwealth countries.
Economic & Social Challenges: Lower average annual salary
around £31,000. Home ownership rates are low –
owner-occupation below 30% (compared to a national average
of over 60%). Car ownership is under 50%, indicating limited
disposable income.
Educational Attainment: Only about one-third of pupils achieve
5+ GCSEs, reflecting challenges in local educational provision.
Socio-Economic & Cultural Characteristics:
Historical Evolution: Grew from a prominent port (with
activities including transatlantic trade and, historically, even
the slave trade) into an industrial powerhouse during the
Georgian and Victorian eras. Transitioned from affluent
merchant quarters (with grand Georgian houses) to densely
built terraced housing for dock and industrial workers.
Cultural Identity: A dynamic cultural landscape featuring
mosques, synagogues, and churches – symbolizing a blend of
longstanding traditions with more recent migratory influences.
Political Landscape: Part of the Liverpool Riverside
Parliamentary constituency, historically characterized by
working-class politics and strong labour representation.
Built & Natural Environment:
Built Environment: The urban fabric reflects rapid
industrialization: from spacious Georgian structures to
crowded terraced housing built during industrial expansion.
Ongoing urban regeneration projects aim to revitalize
brownfield sites and support cultural tourism (e.g., Liverpool
Tate and science parks).
Natural Environment: Situated on the banks of the River
Mersey, historically advantageous for fishing and trade, which
spurred early settlement and port development.
Regional & Global Embedding: Industrial legacy links Toxteth
to global trade routes, while contemporary redevelopment
(aided by EU funding and transnational investments) connects
it to broader economic and cultural flows.
their past and present connections that shape the place identity and
embed them in regional, national, international and global scales
Lympstone:
, Past Connections: Founded by Saxons and shaped by maritime
trade (shipbuilding, fishing, shellfish industries). The small
port and railway connectivity in the 19th century built its
initial identity.
Present Connections: Functions as a commuter settlement
with strong ties to Exeter and London. Active community
preservation efforts (including protests inappropriate modern
developments) ensure that historical architecture and
traditions remain central. EU and local investment have
supported regeneration projects, integrating Lympstone into
modern regional networks.
Toxteth:
Past Connections: Origin as a strategic port area on the River
Mersey fostered early urban and economic growth. Evolved
through waves of industrialization, from prosperous merchant
quarters to densely populated worker communities.
Present Connections: Remains embedded in regional
(Liverpool), national, and global scales through continuous
migration, cultural exchange, and urban redevelopment. EU
funding and transnational corporate investments have driven
urban regeneration and cultural rebranding efforts. Active
political engagement within the Liverpool Riverside
constituency connects local issues to broader national
debates.
how shifting flows of people (such as commuter, migration),
resources (such as natural, technology), money and investment
(such as EU funding, TNCs) and ideas (such as knowledge economy)
have helped shape the demographic, socio-economic and cultural
profile of these places over time
People:
Lympstone: Influx of commuters from nearby regional hubs,
reinforcing an older, professional demographic. Moderate
population growth through migration linked to lifestyle and
heritage preservation.
Toxteth: Historical and ongoing migration (both domestic and
international) has fostered a vibrant multiethnic community.
Resources & Natural Flows:
Lympstone: Natural scenic and coastal resources support
tourism and leisure, reinforcing its heritage identity.
Toxteth: Transition from traditional port-based resource flows
(fishing, industrial materials) to urban redevelopment and
creative reuse of brownfield sites.
Money & Investment:
