This comparative study will look at the similarities and differences of Swindon in England and Wolfsburg in Germany. These urban places have been chosen, as they are both heavily reliant on the motor industry as a major source of employment for the citizens of both places. Swindon and Wolfsburg are very industrial towns that attract a skilled workforce due to the employment opportunities both areas provide. This study will focus on location, population throughout history, the main economic drivers and the built form, it will also look at how both urban settlements are increasingly looking to diversify the industries that operate in their areas.
Swindon is located in the South of England, along the M4 corridor between London and Bristol. It was originally a market town and is situated on top of a hill almost 500ft above sea level (Dunning, Rogers, Spalding, Shrimpton, Stevenson, & Tomlinson, 1970). Swindon has a very favourable location for companies looking to be based in a very accessible area with the M4 motorway, railway line and Bristol/London airports close by. The land in Swindon is also significantly cheaper than in London or Bristol.
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The city, like Swindon, is land locked and very well connected via road and rail links. The Bundesautobahn 2 is situated nearby to Wolfsburg and provides a fast route to Berlin. The Wolfsburg Hauptbahnhof train station offers regional, local and high-speed trains.
Source: Google Maps,