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European Design Project Monday 24th March 2014 Professor Dave Adamson Understanding Contemporary Wales
Wales: The first Industrial nation? The industrial revolution • Early copper production (1717 onwards) • Early iron production (1759 onwards) • Coal production (1830 onwards)
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Wales: The first Industrial nation? • Peak of coal production in 1913 • Relocation of metal production to the coast • Gradual loss of markets for products over 50 years • 1980s closure of mines • 1980s reduction in steel‐making capacity
The socio‐economic consequences • • • • • • •
Wales as European marginal economy Low GDP/GVA (75% of UK average) Wales as a post industrial society Limited economic diversification Branch plant economy Low wage High levels of under and unemployment
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The socio‐economic consequences • • • • • •
Partial depopulation Family breakdown Community breakdown Poor health scores Low educational attainment A pattern of social exclusion
The current context • • • • • • •
High rates of poverty Child poverty currently 33% In work poverty major cause Benefit dependence also cause Youth disengagement High levels of people who are NEET Low skills base
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Some solutions • • • • • • •
Better economic competitiveness EU Funding (ERDF and ESF) Community engagement programmes Skills development Localisation of economic activity The ‘green economy’ A social economy
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