HUMAN WORLD REVISION SESSION Reading Case Study

What is the theme of the case studies? For you to be able to compare 2 settlements- one in an MEDC (Reading) and one in an LEDC (Bangalore). Compare the land use patterns between the two settlements. What do I mean by this??? To do this you need to be familiar with the principles of land use models. Which land use models am I referring to???

Urban Land Use Models Burgess – Describe the model to me? concentric rings, CBD to high class residential. Hoyt- Describe the model to me? sector model, follows basic principles of Burgess but sectors in Industry along rivers/ major routes. Harris & Ullman- Describe the model to me? multiple nuclei, different focus’ in different areas. What are the limitations of these models?

READING: What do you need to know? Where is Reading? Why has Reading grown? What has affected it’s shape? Sketch map of Reading Descriptions of characteristics of each zone and it’s location: - CBD, Inner city area, Suburbs, Commuter Area

Where is Reading?

One of the largest urban areas in Berkshire Approx 65km from London, Oxford & Swindon. In the Thames Valley with the Chiltern Hills to the North. Sited at the confluence (meeting point of two rivers) of the Thames and Kennet.

Why has Reading grown? ASSESSIBILITY: -Meeting point of 3 important railway lines; London Paddington-South Wales, London Waterloo-Reading, South coast of England-Scotland. -Excellent road links; M4-London. These factors have aided Reading’s growth.

Why has Reading grown? Industrial 3 B’s: - Bulbs: Sutton Seeds were based here - Brewing: has always been in Reading. At present the large Courage brewery. - Biscuits: Huntley & Palmers were based here.

Why has Reading grown?

Today Reading is mostly associated with hi-tech companies such as: -Motorola -Microsoft

What has affected its shape? Physical Factors: -Location in the Thames Valley. - Confluence of the Kennet and Thames east of the town. -The Chiltern Hills to the north of Reading have restricted growth northwards. Human Factors: -M4 motorway to the south of Reading has stopped growth in that direction. -Original growth was east-west along the A4 avoiding the rivers but gaining shelter from the hills.

Sketch a map of Reading

CBD The CBD is constantly changing. It contains the most important shops, offices and entertainment facilities e.g., town hall, library, Warner Village cinema. As space is limited, building tend to be tall e.g. Queen’s House. It is the most accessible part of town as all road and railway lines converge here.

Inner City Area Located just outside CBD. Much of the housing here (e.g. Oxford Road) was built pre1914 and consists of either 2-bed terraces in a grid-iron pattern or larger semi-detached housing. Some light industry. In some cities terraced housing in this area was replaced by high rise flats in 1960’s.

Coley

The Suburbs This is lower density housing, houses are bigger because land prices are lower. Most houses have a garage and front and back gardens. Most are owner occupied although Whitley Wood is example of social priority housing estate. There are also industrial estates that provide jobs for residents (Basingstoke Rd, Cardiff Rd) There may also be some open spaces for playing fields and parks, schools and hospitals.

Suburbs 1950’s housing at Whitney Wood

Suburbs 1980’s housing at Emmer Green

Commuter Area This consists of expensive housing estates. Most houses are detached 3-4 bedrooms. During the last 10 years out of town shopping centres & entertainment facilities, due to lower land prices and greater accessibility. They usually cluster around ring road junctions. Business parks e.g. Reading International Business Park. Wider car ownership has also meant more people have moved out to live in small villages surrounding the town.

Beansheaf Estate (1990’s)

Reading’s International Business Park