The Stocksbridge Case Study

Social data

Environmental data

Monitoring

Social data

As well as the social data available from entering the Census information for each enumeration district (ED) into the GIS, a pilot social survey has been undertaken to get a better picture of attitudes and opinions - see diagram below which shows what the children in the sample thought about the environment they live in at present (87 children - 100% of one year group in the local High School).

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A pilot social survey has been undertaken. The social data is linked to age, family size, skills, education, jobs and the district in Stocksbridge where the respondent lives. Some 86 children and 60 adults completed the pilot surveys which were distributed through the High School. Due to lack of staff it had to be limited; it aimed to identify: local environmental likes and dislikes as well as desire for change the present level of participation in environmentally friendly actions within the home the level of willingness to undertake sustainable actions in the domestic gardens, and modes of travel to school, work and shops.

It is interesting to note that despite living in an area surrounded by greenspaces and at most within a mile of open country, the children still perceive that there is a lack of green spaces usable by them. The interest in reduction of dog mess may or may not be due to what was being said in the local newspaper at the time of the survey - however, it comes across as an area of concern to all age groups.

The children's worries about safety on the roads are interesting in the light of the intention to reduce reliance on cars for the journey to school (now adopted as government policy). The worries about crime/vandalism show that even this age group - 12 to 14 - is aware of this as an issue for all those living in urban areas - despite the fact that Stocksbridge has a relatively low crime rate compared with other parts of Sheffield. The interest in reduction in dog mess may or may not be due to what was being said in the local newspaper at the time of the survey - however, it comes across as an area of concern to all age groups.

Social data

Environmental data

Monitoring

 

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Monitoring data

It is hoped that eventually both the environmental data and the social data will allow effective monitoring through sampling at regular intervals in the future. The findings, in the form of maps, charts and many photographs of the local situation, will be displayed in the local library. Ideally discussion groups will be assembled for each neighbourhood in Stocksbridge with the intention of identifying the local people's interest in making something happen on the ground and of identifying "key people" - those willing to work within their local neighbourhood to stimulate the necessary actions. Work will be undertaken to develop a series of locally relevant illustrations on: "ideas for using the local landscape through regenerative design schemes to achieve greater local sustainability" (to be prepared by postgraduate Landscape Design students from the University of Sheffield).

Suburbia in Stocksbridge 

Only 20% of Stocksbridge is urban. The remainder is agriculture land, water catchment land, reservoirs and moorland - much of it of high scenic quality as well as relatively high ecological worth. Of the urban area over 80% is suburban - detached, semi-detached and small terraces, all with gardens. If Stocksbridge is to become a more sustainable settlement, therefore, it is what happens within the suburban area which will make the real difference (for further discussion of the role of suburbia )

Social data

Environmental data

Monitoring

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updated 18 Nov 98