HIGHER URBAN GEOGRAPHY Site, Situation and Function of Glasgow

DISTRIBUTION OF CITIES IN THE U.K. What are main factors which influence the distribution of the major cities in U.K.? At or near coast On major rivers (at lowest bridging point) Near coalfields Flat land What features discourage the growth of large settlements? Mountainous regions Poor soils Harsh climate

Silverdale Colliery, Newcastle Glasgow; Hamilton Palace Colliery; Ravenscraig Birmingham, Spaghetti Junction

SITE SITE = Land on which a settlement is built. Ideal sites for early settlements were:- flatdefensivewell-drained shelteredwater supplyfuel building materialgood soil Later, low-lying sites with good communications became more important e.g. bridging points

SITE OF GLASGOW Low-lying floodplain of River Clyde Early site on old river terrace, high enough to avoid flood water from Clyde. Early site by ford, later bridge built – developed as route centre for routes from N, S, E, W due to crossing point. Until Erskine Bridge, Glasgow was furthest downstream crossing point. Shelter from hills to North and South. Not all flat though! - drumlins

SITUATION SITUATION = position in relation to other settlements and surrounding land and water features – what’s round about the site. Glasgow is situated on the lower valley of the River Clyde, bounded to the north by the Campsie Fells and to the south by the Cathkin Braes. It lies close to the Clyde estuary, on the west coast of Scotland. Reserves of coal, iron ore and building stone are found in the surrounding area.

FUNCTION FUNCTION = the main activity that goes on there. Large cities usually have many functions, and these can also change over time. The following slides give a potted history of the development of Glasgow to look at the influence of it’s site and situation on it’s functions, and how these have changed over time. Compiled from The Glasgow Story

Early beginnings Early settlement by ford on River Clyde. Fishing and farming Cathedral Market developed near Cathedral (Glasgow Cross) 1170s – granting of Bishop’s burgh (grants settlements trading and self- governing privileges in return for payments to the Crown – to encourages growth and prosperity) 1451 – University of Glasgow founded 1578 – population 4,500

A Rising Burgh 1611 – becomes Royal Burgh Not until 1670 that Glasgow overtook all other burghs except Edinburgh in wealth (tax paid, burgh assets). Previously behind east coast burghs trading with Europe. Trade also limited by shallowness of Clyde 1668 – land purchased & Port Glasgow developed 1670 – population 14,000 Begins trade with English colonies in America (tobacco) & West Indies (sugar) (following union of Scottish & English crowns 1603) Manufacturing linen, soap, earthenware and refined sugar, re- exporting tobacco to Europe 1770s – population 60,000 Thriving town, developing westwards (Merchant City – Jamaica Street, Glassford Street, Ingram Street etc.) 1778 – American colonies declare independence, tobacco trade stalled

Industrial Revolution 1770s to 1830s Growth of linen maufacturing, iron works (exploiting nearby iron and coal resources) 1810s – growth of steam power Beginnings of shipbuilding & heavy engineering on Clyde – Forth & Clyde Canal built, Monkland Canal opened 1793 Clyde deepened – no longer needed to rely on downstream ports 1821 – population 140,000

Second City of the Empire 1830s to 1914 Population overtakes Edinburgh by 1821 census Development of planned streets to west of old city centre Swallowing up of surrounding burghs e.g. Partick, Govan, Cathcart, Pollokshaws etc. Becomes major centre for heavy industry By 1870, >half British shipbuilding workforce based on Clyde. Innovations in engines, boilers, etc. Late 1840s – major development of railways across Britain and world – nearby ironworks and engineering expertise aid development of locomotive works 1912 – population > 1 million

Declining industry in late 20 th Century Textiles and locomotive building have virtually disappeared. Shipbuilding and heavy engineering have declined greatly due to:- ?? changes in technology, increasing size of ships, competition from abroad, declining steel industry, decline in shipping due to other transport methods Narrowness of river prevents development of major port in Glasgow British trade now largely with Europe, so favours east-facing ports

New Functions Remains industrial Route centre (road, rail, air) Banking and financial centre Administrative centre Tourist centre Service centre, e.g. growth in call centres

Urban Growth & Change (general intro. to terms & ideas – we will look at more detailed case studies later)

The movement of retail outlets & offices to lower-cost, less congested suburban areas or new greenfield sites. DECENTRALISATION

DE-INDUSTRIALISATION Closure of old inner city industries; most of Scottish workforce now employed in tertiary industries; new industries tending to locate on edge of city locations.

SUBURBANISATION Movement of higher-income families from older houses in the inner city to new houses in the suburbs. ghettoisation

GENTRIFICATION Movement of higher-income groups into older inner city areas who buy houses cheaply and renovate them. Also results in a change in the area’s social character.

PEDESTRIANISATION Introduction of pedestrian-only shopping areas.

TOURISM Becoming important, particularly in many older cities. Construction of new hotels and tourist amenities, aiding conservation of historic buildings

COUNTER-URBANISATION Movement of people out of the city to live in the countryside or surrounding villages, New Towns, etc.