Transition Oxford

Chapter Outline
draft  v080209
            

General
    * World-known universities, regional hospitals
    * Within an hour’s travel from London. Part of UK south east region, which is a major economic growth area for the UK, in rural county

Geography
    * Location in UK, land-form, geology, climate (rainfall, temp range), rivers, flora & fauna

History
    * Medieval university, affluent, home counties, motor industry;

Demographics
    * Population, proportion transient students; Ethnic mix; Age structure (including trends)
    * Wealth and deprivation

Settlement characteristics
    * Morphology of town (settlement and roads) over time, how it developed to current size and shape within green belt.
    * Land ownership & land-use ( farming, business, settlements, roads&rail, reserves&parkland) and ideally the holdings of major landowners eg city council, universities
    * Homes - Number of households; proportion of tenures (ownership, private, ‘social’ landlords); House prices; homelessness
    * Major employment sites

Employment (across the county rather than Oxford due to commuting)
    * Public sector (hospitals, educ, admin) (huge), high tech (growing), retail, manufacturing, agriculture (tiny)  Most vulnerable sectors,eg car manufacturing, high street retailers, freight operators
    * Average income earned by residents in Oxford versus employees in Oxford (demonstrates extent of commuting to high paying jobs in London)

Transport habits -
    * Cycle use, Car ownership; Bus use statistics, trains
    * Commuting patterns, distances, modes of travel (lots commute to London, Milton Keynes, Swindon, Reading), & Retail catchment for Oxford

Food - Amount produced/consumed; special products

Energy -  Gas, Electricity, biomass, solar/wind/hydro;CO2 emissions for Oxford

Communications: near 100% phone, mobile coverage, enabled for broadband

Learning: Schools (low standards achieved for such a wealthy place); Universities & Adult learning;

Cohesion: Crime stats, fear of crime, voluntary organisations; political groups/faith groups/other social organisations