Urban Decline – Analysis Questions and Model Answers

  1. Describe the pattern of deprivation in Milford Haven. (4)
  • Using their choropleth map to identify the output areas showing the highest and lowest deprivation. They should describe the general trends shown in Steynton, The Mount Estate, East Milford and Hakin. They should also comment on any clustering of high / low deprivation, and any places where the level of deprivation varies.
  1. Why do different areas of the town display different levels of deprivation? (7)
  • i.e. Why do some areas show more indicators of deprivation than others?
  • Lower income groups tend to live in areas of low desirability. These could be areas with high levels of atmospheric pollution, low scenic value, poor quality and/or small housing, no gardens, distant from or lacking services.
  • Higher income groups can afford to live in more desirable areas. These tend to be in areas with high scenic value, high quality / large housing, good transport links, large gardens / garages / off street parking.
  • So lower income groups become trapped in the poor quality housing and environments as they can’t afford to move out. They are also less likely to be able to maintain their properties or own a car due to cost – indicators of economic deprivation.
  • Types of deprivation are linked, e.g. not owning a car limits access to services, and employability. These areas therefore show multiple indicators of deprivation and score highly on the MDI (Multiple Deprivation Index).
  • In Milford Haven, Hakin is an area of council-owned housing. Low income groups have been moved into this area, thus it displays more indicators of deprivation despite areas of it having high scenic value. Steynton is a more desirable place to live as it has good transport / commuting links to Haverfordwest and Pembroke and high quality housing with large gardens and private parking. Only middle / high income groups can live here. East Milford has a mix of housing quality – high quality on the waterfront, but lower quality further inland which explains its variation in deprivation.
  • Anomalies also need to be explained. For example, if an area has lots of retired or elderly people living there it may score highly on long term illness, or people with no qualifications even if it has a high environmental quality. Car ownership may be low in areas close to town / city centres. Some suburban areas may have few services as people who live there tend to drive to town centres or out-of-town retail parks.
  1. Which deprivation indicators are the most / least useful? Why? (5)
  • They can choose whatever one they want as long as they justify their choice.
  • If they’re struggling, try and get them to think about the reliability of the data (e.g. crime assessment – is that the best way to assess crime levels?) or which ones are most / least likely to produce anomalies
  1. Has the redevelopment of the marina been a success? Support with your data. (5)
  • It doesn’t matter if they say it’s been a success or not, as long as they support it with their data.
  • They need to compare the marina with the high street and comment on service provision – what’s there, order of services, who it’s aimed at, level of dereliction/vacant properties. They can also need to compare the people they have observed and can include some of their own comments from the viewpoints exercise.
  • They can also use some of their deprivation data or observations from the other areas of the town to support their statements.