Characteristics of Harpenden

Land use
Harpenden’s land use in 1959 looked more agricultural than
modern Harpenden as in 1910 453 involved in straw hat
making and 405 working in agriculture when the population
was just 2608. However it still remained a commuter town due
to its railway going through the town. In 1959 it looked like
more of a rural settlement for those wanting to still travel into
London. Therefore, the majority of the land was residential

Services
It still had hospitals, schools, green spaces and even an
orphanage. Although, these services were concentrated in the
centre of Harpenden at the time

Evidence of exogenous links

Firstly, there has been a flow of money and resources into
Harpenden, this is because large amounts of freight trains
passed Harpenden and so it had easy access the resources
coming south and going into London. Furthermore, modern day
Harpenden continues to have the train line but the majority of
resources are now delivered through Harpenden’s roads as it is
very close to the M1 motorway. The most obvious change is
the flow of people in Harpenden, The urbanisation of
Harpenden has come from the rapid increase in population as it
is now one of the most desirable places to live. This meant that
thousands of new houses and roads needed to be constructed
along with the expansion of the town and increase of services it
needed to offer.
How has it now changed?
Harpenden has changed by expanding, for example, the
addition of a new residential area near West Common and
Southdown was added to accompany the increasing demand to
live in Harpenden (estimated 1959 population of 23,014
compared to 30,581-2021 census). The Oval was previously an
orphanage but has now been replaced with more residential
housing. One thing that is no longer there is the railway
branching off the main line heading into the east of Harpenden.
This railway was shut down in 1987 and was made into a public
footpath. These changes have altered Harpenden’s character of
place by the process of gentrification as people are wanting to
sell expensive land, more and more houses will be built
therefore increasing placelessness as Harpenden’s unique
attributes decrease. Additionally, it will increase congestion as
its population will inevitably rise being such a good place to
live. Some of Its character is also undeniably irreplaceable such
as the schooling which also stands as a strength of the town as
well as various clubs and independent shops.

Demographics
Harpenden’s median age is 40 and so has an aging population
with 55.5% of the population being 18-64 and 17.7% being over
65. Additionally, Harpendens population is 88.7% white british.