Drawing_Upon_What_You_Have_Learned_About_City_Road,_Outline_Some_of_the_Ways_in_Which_Differences_Are_Made_and_Remade_on_a_Street_That_You_Know.

Drawing upon what you have learned about City Road, outline some of the ways in which differences are made and remade on a street that you know. Rue du Marché is a main shopping road that passes through the city of Geneva. Geneva is the most highly populated area of French speaking Switzerland with a population of 457,628 as stated by the Office Fédéral du development territorial, 2010. Rue du Marché is very cosmopolitan and used daily by an array of people. To understand the make up of this street today, it is important to reflect on the changes, both economic and social that have taken place over the past 65 years. I shall discuss just a few reasons why some of the differences on this street are made and remade. Although quite different from ‘City Road’ we see a similar pattern that exists in parallel to their individual characteristics, (Blakeley et al, 2009, p. 17), one being the change in which type of business gave strength to their local economies. Having had a long history and strong hold in the Watchmaking and Chocolate industries, which still enhance tourism today, it was decided shortly after WWII that the UN Headquarters were to be based in Geneva. This brought about huge economic change as it instigated much of the development of business and tourism that we see reflected on the street today. The main business we see having developed is Worldwide and Private Banking. This being the case, a very large, transient expatriate community has developed; but also developing overtime in conjunction to this is a large immigrant population that has come to Geneva to escape poverty and war and to make it their permanent home. The buildings themselves have visually changed at eye level as chain stores have moved in to cater to the growing international communities, both expatriate and immigrant. The exteriors of the above levels have been preserved in aesthetic appearance to cater to tourism. The interiors have undergone a total change in function from residential space to office space. As these buildings take on new roles many new jobs have been created and the thriving economy provides evidence of this. Infrastructures have needed to be altered to accommodate higher use of electricity, telephones, water etc. (‘material lives ‘, 2009, scene 4) The ever-expanding expatriate communities social and material needs led to the established businesses changing what is on their shelves. ‘Coop’ a supermarket chain, bringing in household products from around the world. ‘Fnac’ a large bookstore, has dedicated a large department to the English language. English being the official language of the UN has meant it has become a common language amongst many of the layered communities on Rue du Marché. The stores have found an ethnic niche – different but not unlike what we have observed within the smaller shop owners on City Road. For example Xquisite Africa (‘material lives’, 2009, scene 2) The tramline that gives access to the city from one end to the other runs along the street. Early morning is busy with people en-route to school, work etc. It becomes a through fare, as the day progresses we see it change rapidly into a hustling and bustling high-street full of consumers frequenting the many stores, restaurants, and cafes; but as the workday comes to an end one observes the same transitory people passing through Rue du Marché. Night falls and it is transformed in to a place full of lively bars, cafes and restaurants where people can relax and socialize. ‘City Road’, once again mirrors an occasion (‘making social lives on City Road’ 2009, scene 7), we are able to encounter people coming together at ‘The Farmers market’. This takes place biweekly. It transforms the street from a place full of invisible separation, to a friendly and approachable environment. There are stalls selling local produce and freshly cooked dishes from the local immigrant cultures. The market place appears affordable for all, encouraging the communities together. When observing Rue du Marché we see people needing and using this street very differently day and night on a constant basis. When using City Road as an outline to observe Rue du Marché, two streets quite different from each other; we are able to see that much of what appears to be unique about what makes and remakes the differences on a street can in fact be applied to any major street anywhere in the world (Simon Bromley. ‘The street’, 2009). We are also able to understand how people make and remake the differences on a street, both on a short term and long term basis. Peoples needs and different uses of any street are never static. Word count: 753 References: Blakeley, G., Clarke, J., Raghuram, P., Silva, E. and Taylor, S (2009) Learning Companion 1, Introducing the social sciences, Milton Keynes, The Open University. ‘Making social lives on City Road’ (2009) Making Social Lives (DVD), Milton Keynes, The Open University. ‘Material lives’ (2009) Making Social Lives (DVD), Milton Keynes, The Open University. ‘The street’ (2009) Making Social Lives (DVD), Milton Keynes, The Open University. Office Fédéral du development territorial, 2010 www.citypopulation.de/php/switzerland-geneve.php