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General information

Overview

Portsmouth is undergoing rapid change, growing in confidence and developing a renewed sense of itself.  As the UK’s only island city, this waterfront city combines centuries of maritime history with an attractive contemporary lifestyle.

A significant naval port for centuries, it is home to the world's oldest dry dock, which is still in use today, and to world-famous historic ships, including Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and King Henry VIII’s Mary Rose. Now new investment around the harbour has transformed the waterfront and attracts generations of new visitors to the city. In recent years the city has hosted major international events including the International Fleet Review and in 2005 the events to mark 200 years after the Battle of Trafalgar. Portsmouth is also fast becoming the home of ocean racing, hosting the Global Challenge yacht race in 2004/5 and in 2006 the city is the only UK port chosen to host the Volvo Ocean Race.   

The Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays opened in 2005 and is a new icon for the city and the south coast. At 170 metres high, it has already changed the skyline forever and provides an unparalleled view of Portsmouth and the surrounding area from its three observation decks.

This dynamic waterfront city still has an important role as a major dockyard and home base for the Royal Navy. VT have brought shipbuilding back to the city and in 2006 HMS Clyde will be the first ship launched here for 40 years. The council-owned commercial port also continues to thrive and serves more destinations on the continent with freight and passenger traffic than any other UK port.

The city is enjoying renewed interest and investment in its future. The University continues to grow with almost 20,000 students in the city. New monies are committed to the development of a new 50m pool and sports complex at Mountbatten and the redevelopment of Fratton Park, home of the only Premiership football club on the south coast. The city centre is also being transformed with over £350 million already committed to its redevelopment and the retailer John Lewis confirmed as one of the major anchor stores. The cultural life of the city will also be given a boost by the opening in 2006 of a brand new Aspex gallery, a regional showcase for contemporary art, on the waterfront.  

As Portsmouth continues to change, there’s a great sense of excitement in the city and a real shared passion in our future. 

Geography

Portsmouth is a city of about 188,500 people located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of Great Britain. Most of the city lies on Portsea Island, located where the Solent joins the English Channel.  This makes Portsmouth the UK’s only island city. The island is separated from the mainland to the north by a narrow creek, bridged in places to make it - in appearance - a peninsula. The sheltered harbour lies to the west of the island and the large tidal bay of Langstone Harbour is to the east. Portsdown Hill dominates the skyline to the north and to the south are the waters of the Solent with the Isle of Wight beyond.

Quick facts

Social background

• Population of 188k
• Strong sense of community
• Minority ethnic groups 5%
• Mostly densely populated city outside of inner London with 46.9 people per hectare
• WW2 bomb damage created a home building project off the main island, Leigh Park in Havant is one of the biggest out-of-city developments in the UK

Housing background

• 67% live in terraced housing (UK average 28%)
• 46% of housing was built before 1919 and 76% before 1945
• 9% of private housing stock is classed as “unfit”
• 19% of households are without central heating (UK average 8%)

Economic background

• 128k electors
• 67% car ownership
• 41,900 commute into the city and 23,100 commute out of the city daily
• Total jobs of 97,200 (of which 35k are part time)
• Unemployment is at 2.5% (GB average 2.6%) - correct as of April 2006
• Average household income £25,700 (UK average £29,400)
• In WW1, the naval dockyard was the largest industrial site in the world
• One of the largest freight and ferry ports in the UK
• Awarded ‘Tourist City of the Year’ with over £302m income from 8.4m visitors per year
• Over 250 miles of roads to manage and maintain
  

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