Alice Baker
22/02/22
With reference to your local place, assess the extent to which qualitative sources (for
example, songs, artwork) present contrasting images to quantitative sources (for example,
census data, maps). (20 marks)
Qualitative sources such as photos of the urban regeneration within Stratford present a
largely contrasting image of Stratford compared to Quantitative sources such as The Index
of Multiple Deprivation.
We see this through before and after photos of the regeneration that took place within
Stratford in 2012. Photos before the regeneration took place demonstrate that Stratford
was an economically deprived area. This was a result of the de-industrialisation of Stratford
in the 1960s, which resulted in high unemployment rates, a lack of investment and financial
freedom amongst inhabitants. This is supported by the fact that in 2011 the Universal Credit
Benefit statistics for Stratford was 15%, this is 1.5% higher than the statistics for the rest of
the England. By analysing photos from before the regeneration of Stratford in preparation
for the 2012 London Olympic Games, we can see that the quality of housing was
significantly poor, with estates such as The Carpenter Estate labelled as an area of poor-
quality housing due to the temporary settlements and inadequate social housing. This
further supports the idea that Stratford was an economically deprived area because of lack
of investment.
On the other hand, Pictures of Stratford in the present day depict Stratford as an
economically thriving and high-income area. This is due to the regeneration of Stratford
because of the Olympic Games, where investments into housing developments, green
spaces and retail centres such as Westfield Shopping centre have improved the quality of
life within the area. Additionally, as seen in photos taken after the regeneration in Stratford,
new homes such as high-rise apartments as well as new academies and sports facilities
surrounding the Olympic village, also suggests that the regeneration of Stratford has been
highly successful in changing the perspective and character of the place.
In contrast to qualitative data, quantitative data such as the multiple deprivation index
shows that the regeneration of Stratford has not been so successful. For example, recent
index of multiple deprivation data (2019) shows that 66.7% of Stratford is considered to be
Decile 3, placing it in the lowest third of the UK. To further this, 100% of Stratford falls into
Decile 1 in relation to barriers to housing and services domain. This shows how housing
within Stratford has not improved despite investments, and access to housing has become
increasingly difficult for residents. A reason for this is that employment and income has not
improved at the same rate as Stratford’s urban environment, causing the value of properties
to rise, making them unaffordable for residents with low incomes.
This is supported by the fact that 44.4% of Stratford falls into decile 3 in terms of income,
showing how the area has a lower income rate than the UK average.
To add to this, despite investments into four new academies around the Olympic Park such
as The Bobby Moore Academy in 2018, education rates amongst young adults have not
improved. This paired with the already limited access to education within the area and little
qualifications achieved within education, enhances the growing problem amongst young
adults. The root of Stratford’s problem lies in its lack of support for young people in
education which has resulted in less economic growth as students are not achieving the
needed qualifications to find work, thus resulting in an overall decline in economic
prosperity within the area.
22/02/22
With reference to your local place, assess the extent to which qualitative sources (for
example, songs, artwork) present contrasting images to quantitative sources (for example,
census data, maps). (20 marks)
Qualitative sources such as photos of the urban regeneration within Stratford present a
largely contrasting image of Stratford compared to Quantitative sources such as The Index
of Multiple Deprivation.
We see this through before and after photos of the regeneration that took place within
Stratford in 2012. Photos before the regeneration took place demonstrate that Stratford
was an economically deprived area. This was a result of the de-industrialisation of Stratford
in the 1960s, which resulted in high unemployment rates, a lack of investment and financial
freedom amongst inhabitants. This is supported by the fact that in 2011 the Universal Credit
Benefit statistics for Stratford was 15%, this is 1.5% higher than the statistics for the rest of
the England. By analysing photos from before the regeneration of Stratford in preparation
for the 2012 London Olympic Games, we can see that the quality of housing was
significantly poor, with estates such as The Carpenter Estate labelled as an area of poor-
quality housing due to the temporary settlements and inadequate social housing. This
further supports the idea that Stratford was an economically deprived area because of lack
of investment.
On the other hand, Pictures of Stratford in the present day depict Stratford as an
economically thriving and high-income area. This is due to the regeneration of Stratford
because of the Olympic Games, where investments into housing developments, green
spaces and retail centres such as Westfield Shopping centre have improved the quality of
life within the area. Additionally, as seen in photos taken after the regeneration in Stratford,
new homes such as high-rise apartments as well as new academies and sports facilities
surrounding the Olympic village, also suggests that the regeneration of Stratford has been
highly successful in changing the perspective and character of the place.
In contrast to qualitative data, quantitative data such as the multiple deprivation index
shows that the regeneration of Stratford has not been so successful. For example, recent
index of multiple deprivation data (2019) shows that 66.7% of Stratford is considered to be
Decile 3, placing it in the lowest third of the UK. To further this, 100% of Stratford falls into
Decile 1 in relation to barriers to housing and services domain. This shows how housing
within Stratford has not improved despite investments, and access to housing has become
increasingly difficult for residents. A reason for this is that employment and income has not
improved at the same rate as Stratford’s urban environment, causing the value of properties
to rise, making them unaffordable for residents with low incomes.
This is supported by the fact that 44.4% of Stratford falls into decile 3 in terms of income,
showing how the area has a lower income rate than the UK average.
To add to this, despite investments into four new academies around the Olympic Park such
as The Bobby Moore Academy in 2018, education rates amongst young adults have not
improved. This paired with the already limited access to education within the area and little
qualifications achieved within education, enhances the growing problem amongst young
adults. The root of Stratford’s problem lies in its lack of support for young people in
education which has resulted in less economic growth as students are not achieving the
needed qualifications to find work, thus resulting in an overall decline in economic
prosperity within the area.
