– April 2010

Year 10 Geographers spent a sunny spring morning exploring Newport’s rapidly changing city centre.  The primary function of this field trip is for pupils to gain an understanding of Central Business District (CBD) function and land use.  Pupils also explored the current issues facing Newport’s CBD and its surrounding Inner City areas.  In particular, the numerous urban regeneration projects designed to reuse existing vacant and derelict land in the central area and create new business, housing and job opportunities.

Fifty projects are currently being rolled out in the run up to the 2010 Ryder Cup which is being held at the nearby Celtic Manor complex.  Millions of pounds worth of projects aim to transform the city into a vibrant centre for living, leisure and business.  The international golf tournament is usually watched by more than 400 million television viewers, and Newport City Council, together with Newport Unlimited - Urban Regeneration Company, are working hard to ensure that Newport becomes a vibrant and self-sustaining city.

It is hoped that the current perception of Newport city centre will change and a new identity for Newport will emerge:  one of a vibrant mixed-use city centre with a new river front cultural and arts district – The Left Bank.  Pupils noted the new adverts around the city centre which emphasise Newport’s ‘re-imaging’ as a sporting city and a student city.

Year 10 undertook a number of activities which included a land-use survey of the main shopping street, an investigation of pedestrian flow, a visitor questionnaire and also visits to a number of regeneration project sites, including the new £35 million Newport University riverside expansion.

Mr Meek

Web links:
www.newport.gov.uk

www.newportunlimited.co.uk

www.rydercup.com