What is Rural & Urban?
• Traditionally, ‘rural’ and ‘urban’ have been seen as opposites. • Defining the terms is difficult: over 30 definitions of ‘rural’ are currently being used by different government departments in the UK. • Perceptions of rural & urban…
PERCEPTION
Traditional Stereotypical Differences between Urban and Rural Populations
• Between 2001 & 2005 over 350, 000 more people moved into rural areas (accessible areas) than have left them (net migration). • This is a reversal of a trend which still blights many of the more remote rural areas of the country. • Life expectancy is 1. 4 years longer for children who live in rural areas. • Contact with farm animals apparently reduces the risk of them developing asthma. • They are also less likely to have used class-A drugs.
• There are some drugs 'hotspots' in rural areas, however: Spalding and Boston had high levels of drug-related deaths in 2004 • Fertility rates for women aged 15 -44 who live in rural areas are higher (than urban) • Access to a GP can be difficult in some rural areas & there are difficulties with recruitment to rural surgeries. • Employment difficulties exist and income is in any case often lower than the national average. • There’s been a dramatic rise in the level of homelessness in rural areas.
http: //www. telegraph. co. uk/news/main. jhtml? xml=/news/2007/06/14/nrural 114. xml • http: //www. telegraph. co. uk/portal/main. jht ml? view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/portal/200 7/11/17/ftvillage 117. xml
Summary • Defining rural & urban can be difficult • Perceptions of rural & urban can be stereotypical • The benefits of life in rural areas do exist but… • Problems exist in rural areas that are not often known about in urban areas
• 1 suggestion that new housing demand could be met by building in cities, with no need for out of town developments. • However… • There are 225 000 more households to be accommodated, but this total increases all the time • There are 1. 6 million households on affordable housing waiting lists • There is insufficient land in cities
• http: //news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/england/727351 6. stm • http: //news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/uk/7207228. stm • http: //news. bbc. co. uk/player/nol/newsid_7 270000/newsid_7274300/7274326. stm? b w=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&ms 3=22 &ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2 (video) • http: //news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/england/oxfords hire/7262350. stm • http: //poundburyforum. proboards 22. com/
Accessible (pressured) rural areas • • • Access initially via railways/underground Later via improved road transport Become suburbanised Hobby farming or horsiculture Socio-economic changes – Long Established Residents & Newcomers • See table.
Rural settlement issues: Monmouthshire
This is the Black Mountains section of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is an area of great scenic beauty • The road sign indicates 5 miles down valley to Abergavenny and 5 miles up valley to the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir. • It is relatively near to Abergavenny but also relatively inaccessible, with only narrow country lanes and no major road access. • Roads can be closed for months even years as river erosion undercuts bridges or causes landslips.
Properties are mainly farms or farm conversions • Many of these are bunkhouse accommodation for walking groups or holiday cottages for rent by families. • The main village in the Vale of Gwryne is Llanbedr and this had limited new housing building in the last 30 years. • Planning Permission for new building developments is very hard to obtain due to the scenic beauty (BBNP) and the limited road access.
• There are several large mansion type properties in the valley (as here at Craig -y-Bwla the country estate of a computer millionaire). • The quality of the scenery and the quiet unspoilt nature of the area exudes 'class' and indicates the perception of an 'idyllic extreme rural lifestyle'. • Abergavenny is about 20 minutes drive away down narrow country lanes. • This journey is the 'barrier' because from Abergavenny quiet dual carriageways can be accessed.
Population figures for the Vale of Grwyne: 1981 - 1220; 1991 - 844. The area has experienced rural depopulation especially of the young. • House prices are very high as so few are available and are sought after by incomers. • This barn with planning permission would sell for a very high price - probably to someone with a professional job from outside the locality. • An issue is the provision of affordable homes for local people. • There are limited employment opportunities in the immediate locality except for tourism and farming.
• The inn offers drinks, meals, accommodation (including camping and caravans) and pony trekking. • The diversification has to be offered to gain a worthwhile income. • Other local economic activities include outdoor pursuit centres and pottery/art /craft galleries. • The artists work and live here both for the quality of life as well as for the tourist trade. The Queens Head Inn in the adjacent Llanthony Valley.
• The photo shows the gatehouse entrance to the Llangenny Outdoor Education Centre owned by Haringey Council from London. • This is a former large house (mansion) bought by the council for its schools to use to promote outdoor pursuits and education in environmental subjects like geography and science. • There are many such outdoor education centres in the Brecon Beacons area.
The rural idyll seen in the beautiful unspoilt scenery with quiet country roads. • Everyone knows each other and outsiders might be viewed with suspicion. • The residents will include: • 'native families' who want to make a living from the area and • 'professional' outsiders who are very keen to conserve the environment they moved here to enjoy. • These migrants are likely to oppose strongly any move to develop the area in any way. • Under Cloke's model this area would be classed as EXTREME RURAL. • There are issues and divisions hidden here.
More remote rural areas • • • North, west & Mid-Wales North Yorkshire Moors North West Parts of Devon & Cornwall Highlands & Islands of Scotland Borders
Characteristics • • Housing Population structure Employment Transport Services Community/Social Environment
See also “Bypassed Borders” Geofactsheet.
