geographical investigation - gloucester docks

• Title: ‘Has the regeneration of Gloucester Docks been successful?’
• *Justification of choice of question: This question was chosen as we have looked at an example of Gloucester Docks in our Urban Issues and Challenges unit. We already know why regeneration was needed and what they have put in place. It is a natural progression to investigate whether the regeneration has been successful.
• In the Urban Issues and Challenges unit, we have been looking at opportunities and challenges in relation to social and economic aspects – therefore it makes sense to look at 2 key areas within this question:

  • Has the regeneration of Gloucester Docks been successful economically?
  • Has the regeneration of Gloucester Docks been successful socially?
• Aim: The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the Gloucester Docks urban regeneration has been successful both economically and socially.
• Location: Gloucester is a cathedral city and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately 32 miles (51 km) north-east of Bristol, and 45 miles (72 km) south-southwest of Birmingham. The city is centrally located between the Cotswolds and The Forest of Dean.
• Location: Gloucester is a port, linked via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal which runs from Gloucester's docks to the Severn Estuary. The M5 runs past the east side of Gloucester allowing easy access for visitors.
• Location: Gloucester Docks is located to the South-West of Gloucester city centre and the regeneration extends from the docks themselves to the south where the Gloucester Quays shopping centre is now located and the Peel centre to the east of the docks.
• Location: Gloucester is easily accessed via the M5, with Junction 11A only 3 miles away. The A40 and A48 brings visitors from Wales.
• Sampling Strategy: A stratified system was used when deciding which sites to use to conduct the Bi-Polar Analysis as we wanted to compare an area that is completed in its renovation and an area (Bakers Quay) that hasn’t and is therefore similar to what it was like in the past. For the questionnaires, in 2018, an opportunistic sampling method was used, which means asking those who are willing to respond. for the footfall survey in 2024, systematic sampling was used - counting every person that walked past
• the places where the environmental charts tok place include

  1. High Orchard
  2. North of main basin
  3. Gloucester Quays outlet