Is this the start of the seaside town renaissance?
Seaside towns are located on the coast. The settlements are located on the beach in the seaside cities, and the sea is close to view. Seaside towns have been in existence for centuries. The towns, also referred to as seaside resorts or villages, attracted tourists because of the closeness to the sea and the beach. This happened in countries and towns where the beach and the sea were among the main tourist attractions.
The History of Seaside Tows or Resorts
During Roman times, seaside towns like Baiae, located by the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy, were prevalent. The resorts or towns were considered the perfect place to showcase ancient leisure culture, mostly comprised of the sea.
The development of beaches as a location for seaside towns grew even more popular in the mid-19th century. The beach officially became an international tourist attraction, and seaside towns grew in popularity. The popularity of seaside cities continued to increase when businesses started developing actual resorts and hotels along the beach. This led to the seaside towns becoming majorly aimed at tourists. This means fewer locals settled on the coastal towns, and there were not as many permanent settlements on the seaside. Regardless, this did not affect the continued establishment of new towns on beaches across Europe.
Barcelona, a city in the Northeastern region of Spain, is considered one of the seaside town culture’s birthplaces. The first coastal towns in this area were established in the 18th century for the aristocracy. The aristocracy frequented the resorts, and soon after, they became quite popular in Spain and other parts of Europe including the UK. The resorts started to accommodate the middle and working classes following the railway system’s development in the 1840s. Cheaper seaside towns or resorts began to emerge, and more people had access to them.
The growth was further intensified when the cotton mill owners in Lancashire began giving their employees a week worth of vacation every year as they repaired and assessed their machinery. This gave them time to explore nearby seaside resorts. Therefore, the seaside towns ceased to be a thing for tourists and the elite as everyone, including locals, gained access. For several years, the resorts have been designed and operated in a traditional style. This means that most of them still feature traditional architecture, mode of operation, and style.
The seaside town renaissance
NOTE; Renaissance refers to a period in European history that marks the transition from the middle ages to the modern era. Therefore, the seaside town renaissance refers to a period where the coastal town’s transition from historical or traditional ages into modernization.
It is also worth noting that the UK is a member of the European Union as it is located on the Northwestern coast of the European mainland.
For several years, the seaside towns have maintained their grip on the historical era. However, off late, the villages have begun embracing modernization. Below are some factors that seem to suggest that this is the start of the seaside town renaissance in the UK.
1. The popularity of coastal towns
In the UK and other parts of Europe like Italy, the real estate industry has recently attracted seaside towns. Towns like Bournemouth are known for their pristine beaches have become a hot spot for real estate development of towns and resorts for personal and business purposes. The beaches are the main attraction for the towns. However, the temperature and climate of the areas have also played a crucial role in the towns’ popularity.
2. Adoption of modern architecture
Modernization has hit the coastal or seaside towns as more developers are looking to incorporate new designs in their seaside town developments. This has led to the old towns being subjected to modernization through renovations and new and modern developments. These developments are aimed at attracting all sorts of people to seaside towns.
3. The transition from resorts to settlements
Additionally, seaside towns have transitioned from vacation homes and resorts into settlements. This means that people are no longer looking at the towns as places for locals and tourists to vacation but as a potential place to settle permanently. Other people are buying coastal homes and beach houses, as vacation homes do not have to pay to stay in resorts.
Conclusion
There is still a long way to go before the total renaissance of seaside towns. However, the current occurrences are a clear indication that the area is experiencing a positive transition into modernization