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.
Type of Shop/Service
Retail
Food shops
Convenience shops
Comparison shops
Specialist shops
Household shops
Consumer durables
Service shops
Chain/department stores
Vacant premises
Description
Supermarkets, healthfoods, delicatessen
Newsagents, chemists, fast food outlets
Footwear, clothing, mobile phones, sports
Florists, jewellers, photographic, pets, gifts,
books, music and DVD
Hardware, furniture/carpets, kitchenware,
fabrics etc.
Electrical goods (televisions, cookers, fridges
etc.), computers
Hairdressers, dry cleaners, travel agents,
betting, shoe repairs, printing/copying
Siman, Cemaco etc.
Code
Rfood
Rconv
Rcomp
Rspec
Rhouse
Rcons
Rserv
Rchain
Rvac
Professional &
Commercial
Banks
Estate agents, surveyors
Legal services
Financial
Health services
Company offices
Vacant commercial premises
Lawyers
Insurance services, accountants
Chiropodist, acupuncture, dentist, health spa
PCb
PCe
PCl
PCf
PCh
PCc
PCv
Public Buildings
Educational premises
Places of worship
Museum/library/art gallery
Emergency services/police
Government offices
Medical centre/hospital
Tourist information
Public toilets
PBe
PBw
PBmus
PBe
PBg
PBmed
PBt
PBp
Recreation & Leisure
Restaurants/cafes/snack bars
Leisure centres/gyms
Cinemas/theatres
Amusement arcade
RLr
RLl
RLc
RLa
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
Description of location (type of shop, displays, sales, proximity to other shops etc.)
Time:
Tally
Total
Number of passers-by
Number of people entering
Description of location (type of shop, displays, sales, proximity to other shops etc.)
Time:
Number of passers-by
Number of people entering
Tally
Total
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?”
Shopper 1
Shopper 2
Where do you live?
What is the main reason for your
coming here today?
1. Needed to buy something in
particular
2. Recreation
3. To meet friends
4. Other (please specify)
What have you bought?
1. Groceries
2. Clothing
3. Food/snacks/drinks
4. Other (please specify)
What made you decide to come to
Multiplaza, as opposed to
somewhere else?
1. Nice environment
2. Specialist shops
3. Easy to get to
4. Easy to park
5. Other (please specify)
How did you get here today?
1. Car
2. Bus
3. Motorcycle
4. Walking
5. Bicycle
Gender and age:
 0-16
 16-25
 26-35
 36-45
 46-55
 56-65
 66+
Please remember to thank your questionee politely!

Shopper 3
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 