To examine the future development

of the seafront in Swanage.

By

Toby, Jordon, Matt, Ahnkit & Jack

Introduction

Aim:

To examine how the seafront meets the needs of the

local population and tourists.

Objectives:

Determine the current state of tourism in Swanage

Determine the use of the seafront

Evaluate current plans of regeneration

And investigate any conflicts between interest groups

Methodology

Preparation, Planning

Methods used:

1. Questionnaire

2. Ethnography

3. Visual analysis

4. Walking Interview

5. Use of Secondary

data

Time Table of day:

1. 9:30 – 12:30 Collection of

Questionnaires and

Ethnographic

observations

2. 1:00 – 1:30 Walking

interview

3. 1:30 – 3:00

Questionnaires and

second Ethnographic

study

Implementation in the field

Questionnaire

Two separate questionnaires

Good Sample size

Ethnography

Four locations along seafront

Two time periods to allow comparisons

Implementation in the field continued

Visual Analysis

Sample of brochures

Photography

Walking Interview

Discussed seafront regeneration scheme with Purbeck

District Council Project Development Officer

Showed the sites of regeneration and answered

questions

Findings – To find out the state of tourism

Tourism began in the late 19th century

16 million tourists visit Dorset each year.

Ethnographic findings

P1 and P2 – Peaceful and quiet, Mainly dog walkers and

local residents.

Affluent residential area

P3 – Small of tourists, little built environment, green

space and gardens, beach huts.

P4 – Beginnings of town, tourism infrastructure

Contrast of morning and afternoon observation

P2

P1P3

P4

Sea front integral to the image of Swanage

Unique green space

3 themes of tourist promotion

Natural environment

History

Culture and heritage attractions

Business Questionnaire

Small amount of tourism orientated business wanted

improvement of facilities

Findings – Identity of Swanage

Findings - Evaluate current plans of

regeneration

Walking interview with Project development officer

Started due to instability in clay soil

Emphasis on local empowerment

Consultation found out people wanted Swanage to stay

as Swanage and “not another Bournemouth”.

Options discussed – Market stall to support local

business, One way system, infill bank and levelling of the

road

No budget set yet, project still in development

Findings - investigate any conflicts between

interest groups

Questionnaire data

35%

65%

Chart showing the % of people who thought regeneration was needed

yes

no

0

5

10

15

20

25

tourists residents businesses

Fre

qu

en

cy

Number of Questionnaires

Number of Questionnaires

Findings - investigate any conflicts between

interest groups continued

Local people vs tourist

Elderly vs young

Traffic management

Off season tourist – lack of facilities

Season tourist – Parking and traffic

Discourse surrounding the term

regeneration

When planning our questionnaire we used the word

regeneration to mean an improvement to the area as

used in the Swanage seafront consultation

However there were negative connotations associated

with the word

Local newspapers twisted the meaning

Conclusion

From our findings we found that the seafront in its

current state meets the need of the local people – this

was expressed through the questionnaires.

The future development of the seafront is to enhance it

but not radically change it

There were many conflicts surrounding the usage of the

seafront – views and opinions expressed in the

questionnaires varied significantly according to age

„„You can‟t please everyone all the time‟‟ (Project

Development Officer)

Short comings and potential future

improvements

Ethnography was too short to make any informed

conclusions

Time frame, day of week and time of year

Bigger sample and broaden the sample area

Lack of visual data

Lack of quantitative data

Humanistic approach was taken however a more

positivist approach may have yielded different

results, but would have excluded open discussion with

local residents and visitors.

Any questions?Local quotes

“The Durlston Country Park are like the Gestapo, walking around with

their clip boards”

“Dorset county council are anti-motorist”

“Swanage is Swanage, I like it as it is”,

“We don‟t want another Bournemouth”

“Not enough for kids to do when the weather‟s bad”

“There‟s no amenities out of season”

“A Leisure centre for swimming would be great, there nearest one is in

Wareham”