INDUSTRIAL GEOGRAPHY
2012
Question 4: Industrial Geography
With reference to named examples within an area of industrial decline in the
European Union which you have studied:
(a) explain reasons for industrial decline in an area that you have studied
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Lack of local raw materials (running out of coal in the Valleys (Rhondda)).
Exhaustion of raw materials.
Increased competition from overseas
Cheaper labour from competitors.
Old fashioned/dated equipment.
Increasing cost of transporting new materials and finished goods.
Poor infrastructure of road and rail.
EU and government grants/incentives running out.
Rationalisation of foreign companies leading to overseas plants in EU closing.
Falling demand as new products take over market.
Restricted/dated working practices.
OLD INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE
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Air – pollution from coal burning factories, railway engines and houses.
Smoke, dust, soot and smog discolouring buildings and affecting the health of
the people living in close proximity to their work. (High incidence of lung
diseases like bronchitis).
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Water – untreated effluent and sewage from the buildings entering the local
streams with resulting damage to ecosystems.
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Land – subsidence and land slippage due to mining and waste tipping with
little control/health and safety laws. (Aberfan).
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Buildings – closely packed communities of housing/factories/transport. High
population densities and overcrowding leading to poor environmental quality
– little greenery or open space. Tall, brick factories with metal gratings over
windows, chimneys etc – poor visual quality.
NEW INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE
New Industrial Landscape location factors could include both physical and
human factors:
Physical factors
 Flat land for easy construction of large low factory buildings. Room for future
expansion; space for car parking and storage.
Human factors
 Proximity to markets ie large urban areas.
 On edge of urban area for cheaper land costs/rent and proximity to labour
force in housing estates/suburbs.
 Close to other modern industries that supply components or provide a market.
 Close to motorways/main roads-easy access for deliveries/work force.
 Close to airports ie for foreign executives.
 Close to ports for export/import.
 Close to universities ie source of highly skilled employees and possible
partners in research projects.
 Government and EU incentives/grants.
The following points might be included in a description/explanation of the
major characteristics of a “new” industrial landscape.
1. Lower, smaller, modern buildings – mostly single storey and often with large
windows to allow in plenty of light.
2. Buildings are well planned/spaced out with trees and grassy areas and even
ornamental lakes/ponds included in the layout to provide a more attractive
working environment and create a favourable image to prospective
investors/clients.
3. These areas are usually located on purpose-built industrial estates or
Science/Business Parks commonly on Greenfield sites on the edge of
towns/cities where land is relatively cheaper and there is room for car parking
and for future expansion.
4. They are close to major roads such as dual carriageways or motorways for
ease of transport of the finished products to markets/ports, for bringing in raw
materials/components/sub assemblies and for the convenience of to-day’s
more mobile, car-owning workforce.
5. There is an absence of slag heaps/coal bings, factory chimneys, railway
sidings etc usually associated with older, ‘smokestack’ industrial areas.
6. There is a tendency for similar sorts of industries/firms in similar looking
buildings to be located on the same site to benefit from an exchange of ideas
and information. Many of these businesses are connected with information,
high technology and electronics industries and will have direct links with
universities (often situated close by) for research and development purposes
and to remain successful and competitive.
National government measures may include:
1. Incentives such as capital allowances, retraining grants, provision of purposebuilt premises/advance factories, rent-free periods, tax relief on new
machinery, reduced interest rates…
2. Specific financial assistance to old industrial areas such as coalfields in UK.
3. The creation of Enterprise Zones, Development Areas, Urban Development
Corporations. Regional Selective Assistance (Scotland/ Wales). Selective
Finance for Investment (SFFI – England).
4. Setting up Manpower Creation Schemes (MCS) and Youth Training Schemes
(YTS).
5. Decentralising/relocating government offices/departments (eg DVLA to
Swansea or National Savings to Glasgow).
6. Improving communications/accessibility/existing infrastructure. EU assistance
could include mention of such agencies as ERDF (European Regional
Development Fund), EIB (European Investment Bank), ESF (European Social
Fund), etc and their associated benefits and/or more general references to EU
funding/regeneration projects.
2007
a) For South Wales, or any other industrial concentration in the European Union
which you have studied, describe the physical and human factors which led to
the growth of traditional industries before 1950.
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Iron ore provided the raw material for early ironworks
Coal mining saw South Wales emerge as a major industrial centre of the
Industrial Revolution
Limestone was also found locally for the iron and steel works in the valleys
Large seams of coal were easily mined from the valley sides and from below
the valley floors
Routeways could follow the valleys leading down to coastal ports like Cardiff
Cardiff and Swansea developed ports around their natural bays for export of
coal and manufactured goods around the world
The British Empire provided a huge and protected market for coal and steel
products from British industrial areas such as South Wales
Labour supply was provided by people migrating from rural Wales and
surrounding areas of rural England.
(b) Study Reference Map Q4.
Describe and explain the methods used to attract newer industries and
investments to South Wales, or to any other industrial concentration in the
European Union which you have studied.
For South Wales, steps taken to attract new industries and inward investment
might include:
1. Creation of Enterprise Zones (Swansea, Milford Haven) and their associated
benefits
2. Designation of Development Area status for old coal mining areas
3. Setting up of Welsh Development Agency (WDA) in 1976, to attract high
quality investment into Wales
4. Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in Cardiff and its associated benefits
5. Construction of New Town, Cwmbran (1949)
6. Relocation of specific government offices, eg DVLA in Swansea
7. Encouraging inward investment from abroad, eg Sony, Bosch, Lucky Goldstar
8. EU (creation of EU itself provides huge European market for goods)
9. Joining EC (EU) opened up a huge source of funds available to outlying areas
– ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), EIB (European Investment
Bank), ESF (European Social Fund) etc and their associated benefits
10. Improved infrastructure – the Heads of the Valleys Road.