News Hammersmith Under the Spotlight for Year 11 Urban Geographers 30.09.2026
At the end of September, Year 11 Geographers explored the local area, covering a transect from Hammersmith Broadway to Hamlet Gardens, as part of their required fieldwork.
This area, which is familiar to our students – who regularly frequent its bubble tea establishments and juice shops! – was seen through a new lens as students attempted to see how it fits with the Burgess Model. The Burgess Model, developed in 1921 and based on Chicago, describes how cities are organised from a central business district, moving into inner city and then eventually out into the suburbs and urban rural fridge. This model operates under a number of assumptions, meaning it is not always applicable to 21st century urban areas. Students tested hypotheses, examining building age, height and land use, as well as environmental quality to determine if the Burgess Model is fit for purpose in contemporary London.
It was a great day out, with unexpected warm weather. Perhaps the highlight for many was when a local resident, who has been living here for 65 years, shared her thoughts on how the area has changed over the years. Who knew there used to be a swimming pool beside the Flyover?! Students asked excellent questions, including asking her thoughts on the plans to bury Hammersmith Flyover, and really made the most of the opportunity to gather first hand evidence of the changing urban environment.