With reference to a specified local area, analyse the relationships that exist between
character of place and the health of its population. (20 Marks)
The relationship between the character of Stratford and the health of people living in
Stratford is significant as a result of a change in place caused by external forces.
As a result of the 2012 London Olympic Games, in which Stratford was chosen as the host
location, large scale regeneration and investment has occurred changing the physical
appearance and character of Stratford. One of the changes made to the area was
improvements in the local environment. This included cleansing of the water ways running
through the city, the removal of waste such as fridge mountain which consisted of a large
deposit of old, broken, or unused fridges which had been dumped by the local population
alongside the water ways, as well as the creation of new green areas throughout
neighbourhoods. This improvement to the local environment was beneficial for the local
population as it provided them with outdoor, clean areas and reduced the CO2 levels
through an increase in vegetation.
Whilst this environmental change provided benefits for the local population, in the long
term it has had less of an impact as a result of increased levels of pollution within and
around the city. A secondary impact of the regeneration project for the London Olympic
games was to provide better connection within public transport to Stratford and beyond.
This included the creation of new railway lines and bus terminals throughout the city
allowing the area to become more connected to wider London and other areas within the
UK. As a result of this however, the increase in public transport led to an increase in CO2
emissions as a whole as buses and trains added to the emissions of cars and the already
existing forms of public transport. This increase in air pollution has negatively impacted the
lives of locals in Stratford as Life expectancy is 2.7 years lower for men and 4.7 years lower
for women in the most deprived areas of Stratford- on-Avon than in the least deprived
areas. This decrease in life expectancy is predicted to be caused by the increase in pollution
which has led to early onset heart disease and cancer.
Furthermore, the regeneration caused by the London Olympic games and the improved
level of transport has caused an increase in migration to the area as businesses have
developed operations in the city, attracting workers to fill employment gaps. In addition to
the improvements in transportation, another impact of the regeneration that occurred as a
result of the Olympic games, was that new hosing was introduced. High rise apartments
were built in the area as a result of foreign investment, allowing migration to occur in high
numbers. These new high-rise apartments, however, are increasingly more expensive than
the lower quality residence that can be found in areas such as carpenters estate and around
Stratford high street. This has resulted in locals being forced to stay in low-quality and
unhealthy residency as other areas are invested. The low-quality residence within Stratford
has also impacted the health of locals as mould and dust mites have caused a rise in the
prevalence of asthma and pollutive roads have worsened the structure of the houses
making the fumes from cars rot away part of the façade of these properties.
In conclusion, the character of Stratford has greatly impacted local health as a result of
increased pollution from the regeneration caused by the London Olympic Games.
character of place and the health of its population. (20 Marks)
The relationship between the character of Stratford and the health of people living in
Stratford is significant as a result of a change in place caused by external forces.
As a result of the 2012 London Olympic Games, in which Stratford was chosen as the host
location, large scale regeneration and investment has occurred changing the physical
appearance and character of Stratford. One of the changes made to the area was
improvements in the local environment. This included cleansing of the water ways running
through the city, the removal of waste such as fridge mountain which consisted of a large
deposit of old, broken, or unused fridges which had been dumped by the local population
alongside the water ways, as well as the creation of new green areas throughout
neighbourhoods. This improvement to the local environment was beneficial for the local
population as it provided them with outdoor, clean areas and reduced the CO2 levels
through an increase in vegetation.
Whilst this environmental change provided benefits for the local population, in the long
term it has had less of an impact as a result of increased levels of pollution within and
around the city. A secondary impact of the regeneration project for the London Olympic
games was to provide better connection within public transport to Stratford and beyond.
This included the creation of new railway lines and bus terminals throughout the city
allowing the area to become more connected to wider London and other areas within the
UK. As a result of this however, the increase in public transport led to an increase in CO2
emissions as a whole as buses and trains added to the emissions of cars and the already
existing forms of public transport. This increase in air pollution has negatively impacted the
lives of locals in Stratford as Life expectancy is 2.7 years lower for men and 4.7 years lower
for women in the most deprived areas of Stratford- on-Avon than in the least deprived
areas. This decrease in life expectancy is predicted to be caused by the increase in pollution
which has led to early onset heart disease and cancer.
Furthermore, the regeneration caused by the London Olympic games and the improved
level of transport has caused an increase in migration to the area as businesses have
developed operations in the city, attracting workers to fill employment gaps. In addition to
the improvements in transportation, another impact of the regeneration that occurred as a
result of the Olympic games, was that new hosing was introduced. High rise apartments
were built in the area as a result of foreign investment, allowing migration to occur in high
numbers. These new high-rise apartments, however, are increasingly more expensive than
the lower quality residence that can be found in areas such as carpenters estate and around
Stratford high street. This has resulted in locals being forced to stay in low-quality and
unhealthy residency as other areas are invested. The low-quality residence within Stratford
has also impacted the health of locals as mould and dust mites have caused a rise in the
prevalence of asthma and pollutive roads have worsened the structure of the houses
making the fumes from cars rot away part of the façade of these properties.
In conclusion, the character of Stratford has greatly impacted local health as a result of
increased pollution from the regeneration caused by the London Olympic Games.
