Chester case study

• A small city in the North-West of England

• Sits at the top of the Wales/England border

• Close to major cities of Liverpool and Manchester

• In Cheshire West and Chester

18,300

• 20.5% of people living in Chester city centre and the garden quarter are between 20-24, with only 1% aged between 10-14

• 50.4% are female and 49.6% are male

• 87.5% identify as White British

• 5.5% identify as Asian or Asian British

• 2.4% identify as black

20.5% were born outside of the UK, but 82.% don't have an identity from outside of the UK.

29.2% are full-time students (exogenous factor- temporary migration).

• Chester is situated on a small sandstone ridge at the head of the River Dee estuary

• The suburbs are circled by arable fields, meadows and marshland (agriculture)

• Chester has varying relief, but there is a sort of plateau within the city walls due to extensive + constant building in the area

The built environment in Chester's city centre is defined by lasting Roman architecture, such as the amphitheatre, Roman walls and Roman gardens. There is also a medieval cathedral in the heart of the city.

• 40.5% commute up to 10km daily, and 13% commute between 10-30km daily

• The train station connects Chester to the North-West and wider UK, with various local and national destinations. Since the station was built in the 1840s, it has encouraged urban sprawl.

• Chester is a 'regional gateway and economic driver' to North Wales, Merseyside and the North-West.

• Links with Ireland + Wales are reflected in the population.

Regeneration:

• Gateway Project is creating new residential housing for locals in the city centre to promote a sense of community as demand + rent increase. Community:

• There is a strong sense of familiarity between residents due to Chester being a small city.

Migration: migration is limited so the small percentage of people who are migrants could feel isolated.

Tourism: tourists are outsiders in Chester.

Location: certain communities in some suburbs of Chester are isolated physically, with essential facilities like the train station being difficult for them to access (e.g., Broughton and Blacon).

It could be argued that the binary of 'insider vs. outsider' is restrictive, and that considering people as 'outsiders' discourages social fluidity.

• Gateway Project and the One City Plan are promoting social inclusivity, creating transport links between the city centre & suburbs and including the wider community in regeneration plans.

• 1/5 of Gateway Project aims is to create a 'high quality public realm' that is accessible and pleasant for everyone.

• Chester Gateway project

• Chester Northgate project

• Chester One City Plan 2022-2045

• A new leisure and retail facility that has just opened in the north-west of the city centre.

• This includes a new market, cinema, parking, four office suites, cafes/ restaurants and shops.

• The new market alone has welcomed over 2 million visitors.

• A 15 year project that seeks to guide the future socioeconomic development of Chester through public and private investment (exogenous!)

• Over £222 million invested since 2012.

• A sustainable plan to improve the city through conversations with the community (grassroots organisation Good For Nothing Chester consulted).

• Storyhouse

• Boughton corridor (Waitrose, Moxy hotel, railway bridge)

• Bus interchange

A project to re-develop and regenerate the area surrounding Chester Railway Centre as a part of the One City Plan.

1: improved Chester railway station experience.

2: Integrating walking and cycling into city centre transport networks as a priority.

3: Improved car parking around the station.

4: High quality place-making and public realm.

5: Creation of affordable housing for locals in the city centre.