Case study; South Wales Objective- What are the recent employment changes and the impacts within an area of a HIC?

Read the information sheet and answer the following exam question: For an area that has experienced growth or decline in an HIC: (i)Name the area and whether it has experienced growth or decline (1) (ii)Give reasons for the changes (6) (iii)Explain the effects of the changes on quality of life. (9)

WALES

Rhonda Valley

Economic Change in South Wales Steelworks and coal mining (decline in the Rhondda Valley) Micro electronics – footloose industries e.g Bosch (growth in the coastal area) How has industry changed?

Rhondda Valley

Coastal area near the M4 motorway

Bosch location, S. Wales What factors do you think influenced the location of Bosch? Some Bosch products include: Automotive technology, car parts and accessories Household appliances e.g. washing machines, dishwashers Power tools e.g drills Photovoltaic cells

Location Map You need to produce a map to show the area of decline (RHONDDA VALLEY) and the area of growth (COASTAL AREA NEAR THE M4 motorway) 1.Mark on Cardiff (the capital) 2.Mark on Newport, Miskin, Rhondda and Bridgend. 3.Identify the Brecon Beacons National Park 4.Shade and label the M4 motorway 5.Shade the RHONDDA VALLEY in red and identify it on the key 6.Shade the area to the south of the M4 green and identify it as the COASTAL M4 AREA.

Why? Rhondda Valley: Local coal reserves ran out and steel was produced more cheaply abroad in places like South Korea (cheaper imports). Mines and Steelworks in the Rhondda closed. The area has been scarred from mining and the hills make access really hard especially for HGVs. Burberry closed its factory in 2007 as labour costs are too expensive compared to LEDC locations. This led to decline. In the coastal area near the M4, micro electronic companies like Bosch were attracted to the area. They were attracted by location factors such as loans and grants from the WDA, a workforce willing to be trained, component firms who they could do business with and excellent accessibility via the M4. The land is also flat and large enough for future expansion. Its on a buisness park with facilities and similar companies. This led to growth in this part of South Wales.

The effects: Quality of Life changes In the Rhondda, QOL decreased. There are fewer jobs, unemployment in 2000 was 26% in 2012 it is 18% (uk average 4%), many young people have left the area if they can’t find employment, and there are growing social problems such as increased crime and drug abuse. Due to out migration and commuting, the area has become a ‘ghost community’. Empty houses and shops etc encourage further migration of people and companies. The closure of Burberry in 2007 has led to more job losses. In the coastal area, QOL has increased. Many people have found jobs with training, wages are spent in local shops and services (known as the multiplier effect) and the factories like Bosch are landscaped and clean which has improved the area environmentally.

Quality of life effects.. Summarise the impact dda dda yclun yclun sale/search/path/uk.wales.mid-glamorgan.pontyclun/?ls=0 sale/search/path/uk.wales.mid-glamorgan.pontyclun/?ls=0 sale/search/path/uk.wales.mid-glamorgan.rhondda/?ls=0 sale/search/path/uk.wales.mid-glamorgan.rhondda/?ls=0

Homework: Design a ‘for sale’ advert You work for the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) Your job is to attract other high tech companies to the coastal area. You need to state why a company should invest in the Coastal area of South Wales. You can use a computer and the Internet to get images and extra information.