NEA for geography A-Level
Have cultural changes in Bristol been positive for the
city?
Introduction
The location of my investigation will be in Bristol , this is because it will be the
easiest city to conduct my investigation In as I have a lot of knowledge of the city
going into this having lived in Bristol for 18 years where I have experienced most
of the cultural change that Bristol has seen as the majority of change has come
over the last 20 years. For my investigation I will be focusing on specific areas of
Bristol such as: St Paul’s , Southville , Fishponds and Easton.
The aim of my investigation is to find out whether cultural change has had a
positive or negative effect on the city of Bristol. In my investigation I would also
like to find out if residents of Bristol think the city could be doing more to be seen
as more culturally diverse and if they do think the city could be doing more what
sort of things they would like to see and what would have a positive impact for
cultural change in Bristol. I would also like to find out what sort of impact the
changes in culture are having on the future generation and if it will have a positive
or negative impact on the lives they live.
My investigation fits into the A-Level specification as cultural change comes under
Human Geography.
,Research context
Bristol is a city located in the south west of England and is the 10th largest In the
country with a growing population of 750,000.
Bristol is very well known for the transatlantic slave trade as the Bristol port was
one of the main ports used for trading slaves from mainly Africa and were traded
for goods produced in Bristol. The transatlantic slave trade took part in the 17th to
18th century which saw over half a million slaves being traded around the Atlantic.
Around 40% percent of all British trade was made up from Bristol’s trading
voyages. Bristol was the first city outside of London to set up a committee to abolish
the slave trade this was in 1788 , which lead to the committee for the abolition
helping put a stop to Britain’s involvement in the slave trade by the 1st of may
1807.
One of the most culturally diverse suburbs of Bristol is St Paul’s , prior to the
second world war St Paul’s was an area of wealth and prosperity with homes built
primarily in the Georgian and Victorian periods. Unfortunately the area was badly
affected by the second world war , when it was bombed due to how close it was to
the center of Bristol. Rebuilding and investment was focused on new housing
estates such as Hartcliffe and Southmead rather than St Paul's, and this
contributed to a decline in the quality of the area. Due to large scale immigration
just after the second world war many people moved from Jamaica and Ireland and
settled in St Paul’s. However in more recent years , because of its central location
people are now returning to St Paul’s and a real change is happening. St Paul’s
has always had a vibrant and lively community , but there is now real diversity in
the type of people who make up the area. This is demonstrated annually at the
famous St Paul’s carnival. The carnival is a unique street party showcasing the
best food , music and dance from the neighborhood.
Another area of Bristol that has seen big cultural changes is Southville. This
suburb was traditionally seen as a poorer area of the city with houses densely built
together and the majority of the residents were part of the elderly population. It is
now inhabited by the younger generation who were seeking affordable housing
after being priced out of trendier more central suburbs such as Clifton and
Redland.
, Map of Bristol
North
3
2
1
South
Each of these numbers links back to the 4 places mentioned in my introduction.
Number 1 being southville then you have number 2 being St Paul’s and 3 being
for fishponds.
Southville
*Vibrant SouthVille is a laid-back residential area and cultural hub on the River Avon’s
south bank. At its heart is the dynamic Tobacco Factory Theatres, staging contemporary
plays in converted industrial buildings. On lively North Street, the Up fest Gallery organizes
a popular summer street-art festival. Hip eateries, delis, and craft-beer bars dot the street,
and bay-windowed Victorian terraces line nearby roads. With a population of around
12,500.
St Paul’s
* St Paul’s is an inner suburb of Bristol, England, situated just northeast of the city center
and west of the M32. It is bounded by the A38, the B4051, the A4032 and the A4044,
although the River Frome was traditionally the eastern boundary before the M32 was
constructed.
Fishponds
Fishponds is a large suburb in the north-east of the English city of Bristol, about 3 miles
from the city center. It has two large Victorian-era parks: Eastville Park and Vassal’s Park.
The River Frome runs through both with the Frome Valley Walkway alongside it. With a
population of around 40,000.
Have cultural changes in Bristol been positive for the
city?
Introduction
The location of my investigation will be in Bristol , this is because it will be the
easiest city to conduct my investigation In as I have a lot of knowledge of the city
going into this having lived in Bristol for 18 years where I have experienced most
of the cultural change that Bristol has seen as the majority of change has come
over the last 20 years. For my investigation I will be focusing on specific areas of
Bristol such as: St Paul’s , Southville , Fishponds and Easton.
The aim of my investigation is to find out whether cultural change has had a
positive or negative effect on the city of Bristol. In my investigation I would also
like to find out if residents of Bristol think the city could be doing more to be seen
as more culturally diverse and if they do think the city could be doing more what
sort of things they would like to see and what would have a positive impact for
cultural change in Bristol. I would also like to find out what sort of impact the
changes in culture are having on the future generation and if it will have a positive
or negative impact on the lives they live.
My investigation fits into the A-Level specification as cultural change comes under
Human Geography.
,Research context
Bristol is a city located in the south west of England and is the 10th largest In the
country with a growing population of 750,000.
Bristol is very well known for the transatlantic slave trade as the Bristol port was
one of the main ports used for trading slaves from mainly Africa and were traded
for goods produced in Bristol. The transatlantic slave trade took part in the 17th to
18th century which saw over half a million slaves being traded around the Atlantic.
Around 40% percent of all British trade was made up from Bristol’s trading
voyages. Bristol was the first city outside of London to set up a committee to abolish
the slave trade this was in 1788 , which lead to the committee for the abolition
helping put a stop to Britain’s involvement in the slave trade by the 1st of may
1807.
One of the most culturally diverse suburbs of Bristol is St Paul’s , prior to the
second world war St Paul’s was an area of wealth and prosperity with homes built
primarily in the Georgian and Victorian periods. Unfortunately the area was badly
affected by the second world war , when it was bombed due to how close it was to
the center of Bristol. Rebuilding and investment was focused on new housing
estates such as Hartcliffe and Southmead rather than St Paul's, and this
contributed to a decline in the quality of the area. Due to large scale immigration
just after the second world war many people moved from Jamaica and Ireland and
settled in St Paul’s. However in more recent years , because of its central location
people are now returning to St Paul’s and a real change is happening. St Paul’s
has always had a vibrant and lively community , but there is now real diversity in
the type of people who make up the area. This is demonstrated annually at the
famous St Paul’s carnival. The carnival is a unique street party showcasing the
best food , music and dance from the neighborhood.
Another area of Bristol that has seen big cultural changes is Southville. This
suburb was traditionally seen as a poorer area of the city with houses densely built
together and the majority of the residents were part of the elderly population. It is
now inhabited by the younger generation who were seeking affordable housing
after being priced out of trendier more central suburbs such as Clifton and
Redland.
, Map of Bristol
North
3
2
1
South
Each of these numbers links back to the 4 places mentioned in my introduction.
Number 1 being southville then you have number 2 being St Paul’s and 3 being
for fishponds.
Southville
*Vibrant SouthVille is a laid-back residential area and cultural hub on the River Avon’s
south bank. At its heart is the dynamic Tobacco Factory Theatres, staging contemporary
plays in converted industrial buildings. On lively North Street, the Up fest Gallery organizes
a popular summer street-art festival. Hip eateries, delis, and craft-beer bars dot the street,
and bay-windowed Victorian terraces line nearby roads. With a population of around
12,500.
St Paul’s
* St Paul’s is an inner suburb of Bristol, England, situated just northeast of the city center
and west of the M32. It is bounded by the A38, the B4051, the A4032 and the A4044,
although the River Frome was traditionally the eastern boundary before the M32 was
constructed.
Fishponds
Fishponds is a large suburb in the north-east of the English city of Bristol, about 3 miles
from the city center. It has two large Victorian-era parks: Eastville Park and Vassal’s Park.
The River Frome runs through both with the Frome Valley Walkway alongside it. With a
population of around 40,000.
