Brick Lane Place Study

Exploring the developing character of Brick Lane, East London

As part of the Changing Places module in A-Level Geography, we study our ‘Local Place’: Welwyn Garden City or Hatfield, and contrast it to a ‘Far Place’: Brick Lane in East London. Students work independently to further enhance their understanding of the way their own lives and those of others are affected by continuity and change in the nature of places.

The study investigates the location and locale of the study area, the historical development and how this has shaped the character of the place, people’s lived experience of the place in the past and at present and either changing demographic and cultural characteristics or economic change and social inequalities.

To help bring Brick Lane to life and make the place more memorable, Year 12 Geography students visited Brick Lane in June. This helped to develop a deeper understanding of how the character of Brick Lane has been shaped over time; as well as an opportunity for the students to create their own lived experience, in the form of a detailed paragraph on ‘their walk down Brick Lane’. Students were also encouraged to talk to locals and visitors to find out what their lived experience is. One of the attractions of Brick Lane is the varied wall art which contributes to creating a sense of place. Each painting provides a story about the perception of this dynamic place.