Senior 3 Geography

The British School of Costa Rica

Senior 3 Geography

Fieldwork visit to Multiplaza

May 2012

Name: ______

Form: ______

Date: ______

Take GOOD care of this booklet. If you lose it you will be in big trouble, and will find yourself having major problems with homework and class work over the next few weeks…

Geographical studies in:

·  Globalisation

·  Location factors for of out-of-town shopping centres

·  Pedestrian and shopper surveys

·  Sphere of influence

At the end of the field visit you should fully understand and be able to demonstrate your understanding of the following:

·  The impact of globalisation on local developments

·  Classification techniques in Geography

·  The factors that influence our choice of shopping location

Map of Multiplaza Site

Survey of Retail Outlets in Multiplaza

Using the classification guide below and the blank map provided, make a note of the different types of shop that can be found in Multiplaza. In addition, if the shop is a local Costa Rican business, mark this on your map using a suitable code of your own choosing.

Retail Footfall

Retail footfall is a term used to describe the proportion of people walking past a shop that actually enter the premises. Information will be gathered to compare different shop types, shops with different frontages (e.g. width, colour or display), chain and independent shops or shops with and without sales or promotions. Data collected could also be compared to questionnaire findings on shoppers' age, preferences and perceptions.

Method:

§  In pairs or threes, go to the location allocated to you by your teacher

§  Over a period of exactly 5 minutes, count how many people walk past your shop and how many enter the shop and record this on the table below

§  Repeat 1 hour later

Shopper Questionnaire

To find out more about why people come to Multiplaza, and how big its Sphere of Influence is, you must now interview members of the public. This will also give you an opportunity to find out about transport factors and shopper demographics.

Remember to start by explaining who you are and what you are doing, eg.

“Excuse me, I’m from the British School of Costa Rica and I’m doing a survey here for a Geography project. Could you please spare 5 minutes to answer some questions?”

Please remember to thank your questionee politely!

J

Fieldwork advice

So that we can all enjoy this fieldwork experience, there are a few guidelines and instructions you need to be aware of:

·  Listen carefully to all instructions, and follow them too!

·  Stay with your group at all times – never wander off alone.

·  Multiplaza, like any other urban area, has its share of problems and dangers. Take extra care of your own personal safety, especially with regard to crime and traffic.

·  Keep all of your fieldwork notes/booklets in a safe, dry place.

·  Put all litter in a bin, or in your pocket/bag.

·  Keep yourself and others out of danger by acting sensibly and responsibly at all times.

·  Remember that many members of the public expect all teenagers to be rude and loud… Give them a pleasant surprise by showing them how considerate, lovely and polite you are J