Recently the Year 10 Geographers explored urban structure and change in the city of Newport.  The girls studied a transect through Newport, starting in the north-east at Langstone Business Park and finishing at Tredegar House and its surrounding industrial zones and business parks in the south-west. Pupils considered the importance of motorway connections and the implications of Greenfield site developments. A series of housing areas were also investigated and surveyed, pupils gathered data on housing and environmental quality, and considered the importance of re-using Brownfield sites.

In the afternoon our focus shifted to Newport’s Central Business District & Inner City areas which experienced economic decline between the 1970s and 1990s. Pupils explored 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. Currently Newport is supporting a wide range of projects which aim to transform the city into a vibrant centre for living, leisure and business. Newport City Council, together with Newport Unlimited - Urban Regeneration Company, is working hard to ensure that Newport becomes a vibrant and self-sustaining city. 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. Our final destination was Newport’s Indoor Market where pupils were given a challenge task to buy the most unusual item or the most items for under £2. Some very unusual items were purchased and excellent ‘haggling’ skills demonstrated. Team ‘mushroom’ were the overall winners, buying a Harry Secombe LP, a music box and a mushroom for a total of £1.55!

The surveying of Greggs proved very popular	Fieldwork and fashion in Langstone
	Winners of the Newport Market Challenge	Re-imaging Newport

“It was interesting seeing the different sides of Newport. Also meeting people from Newport and hearing their views and opinions on current issues.” Charlotte

“I am from Newport, but I still learnt lots of interesting facts about the city …. It makes me feel proud to live there.” Tess

Useful web links: www.newport.gov.uk                       www.newportunlimited.co.uk