Scoping Temple Quarter and Finzels Reach Bristol for NEA work

Teacher CPD event: 4th June 2025

The redevelopment of land in the Bristol city centre, from the ‘Western Harbour’ (proposed) to Temple Quarter (major project underway), provides a valuable case study for geography students. They can investigate the different approaches to regeneration along the banks of the River Avon and Floating Harbour over the course of the past 40 years. Many use the setting to make enquiries as part of their NEA.

A group of local teachers and lecturers took the opportunity on 4th June 2025 to explore the site and discuss potential avenues and logistics for enquiry. Andrew Tallon (UWE) and Jane Greenaway (Temple Quarter Partnership) drew upon a wealth of knowledge to offer suggestions and provide useful insight as we moved from Temple Meads, via Temple Back to Finzels Reach. In doing so, we moved from planned and rapidly developing sites, to mature mixed-use settings that had seen plenty of change in the last few decades.

Among the themes discussed were:

Pace of change (expected, actual)
Partnerships
Improved quality of office provision
Mixed-use developments
Planning barriers
Push for independent sector use
Community cohesion
Public-private space
Gentrification
Car-parking and transport hub at Temple Meads

Key issues for students are provision of secondary data and collection of primary data from sufficient number of respondents. It was recognised that there was more chance of success in those areas that are now developed and see more footfall. In these areas, students might reflect on the success of redevelopment and consider this against more recent plans or aspirations for the city, local residents and visitors. Among the challenges are permissions because many of the areas are ‘private’. It is good practice to consider the ethical, legal (and safety) aspects of survey methods and data recording as part of the planning.

Our plan was to reconvene and co-create some resources for the NEA on 26th June but there was insufficient demand (this time). Perhaps next year we can offer something similar, but at more convenient time of the year (if there is one!!).

Thanks to those in attendance, and Andrew and Jane for providing valuable input.