Changing Perception of Urban Places
- Individuals or groups of people will have different perceptions of living spaces due to a variety of factors:
- A person’s lived experience and understanding of the area gives them an insider’s perspective
- The media experience of a place (films, social media, news, TV programmes, music and art) will help develop an outsider’s perspective of a place
- A person’s gender, ethnicity, age and life cycle stage can also influence perceptions
- Wealth can determine perceptions
- A person with good health, a high income and good qualifications will view a place differently from someone living in poverty and deprivation
- The characteristics of a place can be valued differently by people e.g.
- Some people want a place that is highly accessible (transport infrastructure) and connected (super-fast broadband)
- Other people value a natural environment with plenty of green space and cleaner air
- Most people prioritise employment opportunities and affordable living
Urban places
- Urban places and areas within them are perceived differently by individuals or groups of people
- During the 19th century industrialisation, urban places were perceived as being dangerous and threatening as they were the hotspots of crime, prostitution and corruption
- Rural-urban migration led to high population densities in urban areas
- High levels of poverty in some UK cities led to crime hotspots
- Industries created air pollution, which affected human health
- Some people (the young and migrants) now view these same urban places as attractive because of the range of social and leisure activities, and economic opportunities
Changing Perceptions of London
Victorian London | Modern-day London |
London developed rapidly during the Industrial Revolution Between 1801 and 1901, the population exploded from 1 million to 6.5 million The city authorities were unable to provide housing or basic needs for everyone, leading to the development of slum terraces The slum terraces, located next to the factories, were overcrowded and unsanitary (no running water or sewers) Children in extreme poverty turned to petty theft and pickpocketing The living conditions of the poorest created a negative perception of London High crime rates High levels of disease (cholera, typhoid) Dangerous Wealthy residents moved out of the inner-city areas to the suburbs |
London’s population has continued to grow and is estimated to be 9.6 million (2023) Today, London is perceived as being much safer, healthier and wealthier, compared to Victorian times This attracts internal and international migration: Wide range of employment opportunities e.g finance in The City of London and retail on Oxford Street Good quality commercial and social services Variety of entertainment and other leisure activities e.g. Tate Modern Well-developed infrastructure e.g. The London Underground Wide ethnic and cultural diversity In a 2016 poll, London was voted as the “best perceived” city in the world |