The purpose of the trip was to observe the recent ‘placemaking’ of the power station and its surrounding area and to get first-hand experience of fieldwork methods that they will need for their own research later in the year.
The students learnt about the history of the power station through the displays and the Power of Placemaking exhibition. As well as the various challenges that have been faced in the regeneration process, such as the contamination of the site and the need to preserve the power station’s heritage.
Next, the group took a walked a transect around Nine Elms to see the various regeneration projects in the neighbourhood as part of the government’s ‘Opportunity Area’. They were able to see the new residential and commercial developments that are being built around the power station and analyse how the area is changing in different ways.
The students talked with the local residents and business owners to get their perspectives on the regeneration and learned about the impact of the regeneration on the local community, including the benefits and challenges it has brought, as well as the changes to the area.
The field trip was a valuable learning experience for the A-level geographers. It was an excellent opportunity for them to see how their studies apply to real-world situations and to understand how geography can shape the future of our cities. The students returned to school with a deeper understanding of some key concepts we had recently discussed in class, and how to approach their own independent work in the Summer Term.
