Researching regeneration

Wetherby Senior pupils have undertaken valuable research on urban regeneration, looking at an area made famous by the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Our GCSE Geography pupils headed from Marylebone to east London this week, to examine the different projects that have rejuvenated the area. Spending a day in Stratford allowed our boys to see this work firsthand, while further developing their own research skills and understanding.

Gabriel B, in Year 11, took part in this field trip. He said: “In Stratford, we engaged in lots of activities and investigated how the regeneration has affected the community of Stratford and the infrastructure. As part of our research, we asked people walking down a high street whether the regeneration had improved Stratford, and we were surprised how many people said that it hadn’t had a positive impact on the area.

“We then went on to compare the environmental quality of two nearby areas – one that had been regenerated and one that had not. We also saw lots of newly built buildings that were built since 2012 when the Olympic games were held in London.”

Now well known as the main base for the 2012 Olympic Games, Stratford previously struggled with high levels of unemployment, a lack of infrastructure and poor environmental quality. The UK’s successful Olympics bid plus other projects, like Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, have changed the local area and provide a valuable case study on urban regeneration.