Place makers: how geographers are regenerating Newport’s leisure centre

Aim of student resource

The aim of this resource is to showcase the role of geographers working on the development of placemaking projects, specifically the redevelopment of Newport Leisure Centre in South Wales as a net-zero leisure facility. This regeneration project is led by WSP, a major employer of geographers. The redevelopment of the leisure centre is part of Newport City’s Council’s 15-year placemaking plan. You can read more about the project and more about Newport’s placemaking plan.

The resource spotlights three geographical roles: Quantity Surveyor, Environmental Consultant and Land Use Consultant, although these roles are by no means exhaustive of the roles geographers play in the development of regeneration projects. Other roles may include Sustainability Officers, Town Planners and roles within Local Authorities.

Page 1 of the resource provides context about the regeneration of Newport Leisure Centre, including the sustainability of the leisure centre and how it can meet the needs of local communities in response to Newport’s 15-year placemaking plan. Page 1 also introduces the role of Quantity Surveyors and WSP.

Page 2 of the resource spotlights the role of two Quantity Surveyors and the role of two early career geographers working at WSP - an Environmental Consultant and Land Use Consultant. Featured geographers, Olivia, Lauren and Suha, have spoken in detail about their jobs at one of our Choose Geography webinars. You and your students can watch the webinar recording.

Pages 3 to 5 of the resource contain student activities. Pages 3 and 4 require students to use information from the resource and their own geographical understanding, and page 5 of the resource gives students the opportunity to engage with the career profiles on page 2 of the resource.

Links to A Level specification

AQA: 3.2.2 Changing Places and 3.2.3 Contemporary urban environments, specifically 3.2.3.8 Sustainable urban development.

Edexcel: Topic 4, Shaping Places Option 4a Regenerating Places.

OCR: Topic 2.1 Changing Spaces; Making Places. How are places created through placemaking processes? Specifically 5.b The placemaking process of rebranding constructs a different place meaning through imagining and regeneration and 5.c. Making a successful place requires planning and design.

WJEC GCE AS: Unit 2 Changing Places. 2.1.9 The rebranding places and players in urban places.