09.02.2006
Dr Darren Smith, urban geographer at the University of Brighton, has led the analysis of UK census data for a major research project on the geographies of families, partnerships and love across the UK. The analysis will form part of a programme for the BBC3 entitled 'The UK Love Map', and the data is represented in a series of novel maps.
UK Love Map, will be broadcast on BBC Three on 15 February, and reports that Britain has hotspots of particular types of relationships and families, love and marriage and monogamy, as well as unfaithfulness.
Dr Smith found that the highest divorce rates in the UK are all on the coast. Other findings show that the North West is second only to London for the highest percentage of single people in their mid-20s to mid-40s. In the East Midlands, although marriage is still going strong, the number of cohabiting couples is also increasing.
The coastal area of the UK has been a popular retirement place for the last 50 years or more, and is now undergoing a new trend, having become home to the largest number of people living together as same-sex couples in the UK.
Dr Smith said: "The census data provides a fascinating snapshot of the uneven geographies of families and relationships, and our nation in love, as well as the appeals of particular places for different types of people. Viewers will be able to use their interactive service to look up the characteristics of their locality. You'll find out what's going on behind closed doors in your area, as well as what's happening in the public spaces."
The census data was mapped by co-researcher, Craig Rostance, using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) a technique that allows geospatial data such as postcodes, census data or place names to be collected, analysed and displayed in an effective manner.
The university also runs a consultancy GeoSpec which provides high quality GIS solutions combined with the specialist research areas. Geospec has already provided solutions for Sport England and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
