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Regional Geography - Region of Industrial Decline
Regional Geography - Region of Industrial Decline
Geography
Higher Level
Tracy Gannon
Regional Geography:
Regions of Industrial Decline
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The Dublin Academy of Education.
Ref: 6/geo/h/RegionalGeography:RegionsofIndustrialDecline
A region is an area on earth’s surface with a characteristic(s) that sets it apart from other
areas, making it distinctive or unique in some way.
Types of Regions
Belgium
Paris Basin
The Mezzogiorno
Regions
1. Depletion of resources
In Belgium, the industrial region of the Sambre-Meuse Valley and in Northern Spain the
Basque region, both declined in significance as local coal and iron ore deposits were
depleted.
Up until the mid-20th century, these centres were important industrial areas. When the
resources were exhausted, industries closed and these regions became zones of high
unemployment, social deprivation and derelict sites.
2. Competition
Ireland never experienced an industrial revolution and therefore, lacked the large-scale
industrialisation found in mainland Europe, however, several Irish towns and cities
developed important industrial functions. In 1973, Ireland joined the European
Economic Community (now called the European Union), some Irish manufacturing
companies closed due to the competition from cheaper European manufacturers. High
unemployment rates and emigration followed. Cork city is a good example of an Irish
city that experienced an industrial decline.
Examine the causes and impacts of industrial decline with reference to any region(s) that
you have studied. [30m]
Sample Question
Core region may fall into economic decline. Explain why this decline may occur with
reference to a region you studied. [30m]
The Sambre-Meuse coalfields are extensions of the Nord coalfields of Northern France.
During the 19th century, coal exercised a considerable pull effect on industry in the region.
Consequently, this coal mining region developed into centre of heavy industry result in
large scale inward migration. At its peak, over 120,000 people were employed in more than
120 mines in the region.
As coal is a finite natural resource, many coal seams in the region became exhausted due to
overuse and coal production declined steadily from the 1960’s onward. As a result,
industries using coal faced increased costs for imported coal. Furthermore, the use of oil
and gas and the improvements in transport links both helped to release the grip that these
areas exerted on industrial location. Many industries relocated to waterside locations.
Coalmining during the 19th century was based in Wallonia in such towns as Liege, Namur
and Charleroi.
The coalfield region experienced industrial decline. This was due to numberous factors:
• Competition from cheaper imports of coal from Poland and America.
• There were alternative sources of energy such as oil and gas.
• The number of jobs was reduced due to new technologies.
The region was devastated by high unemployment rates (over 20%) especially among the
male population. Between 1960 and 1973, 50,000 jobs were lost in the region.
3. Migration
Government and EU support has aided the development of this region. Most of the coalfield
regions of Wallonia were designated as Objective 2 regions by the European Union(EU). The
Sambre-Meuse region alone received €1.04 billion in funding from the EU. Changes in the
area have attempted to make the area more attractive for investment. These changes
included:
• The landscape has been cleaned up to improve the image of the area and attract
private investment.
• Worker retraining schemes were developed.
• Improved infrastructure, especially motorways that link to other EU countries.
Upgrading the airport at Charleroi to improve access.
The results have been positive but still, the Sambre-Meuse area remains an Objective2
region within Europe.
Ireland never experienced an industrial revolution and therefore, lacked the large-scale
industrialisation found in Europe, although several Irish counties, towns and important
industrial functions, e.g. Drogheda and Cork city.
In 1973, Ireland joined the European Economic Community (now called the EU), this meant
some Irish manufacturing companies closed because of the availability of lower-priced
products from European manufacturers.
Up to the 1980s, Cork’s industries provided the entire Greater Cork region with good
employment. However, when the recession hit in the early 1980s, decisions were made to
close down most of these industries in Cork.
By 1985, the shipyards, ford and Dunlop plants had been closed with a huge loss of 3,000
jobs. Cork had experienced deindustrialization and became a region of industrial decline and
a black spot for national unemployment
At this time Cork was Ireland’s dominant centre for large-scale, port-related industries.
These industries included steelworks, shipyard, oil refinery and ford car assembly plant.
However, in the 1990s, Cork’s economy was revived as many new industries moved into the
city. These are mainly chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
Today, Cork city is a thriving urban area that has become a centre of culture and education.