There are two main factors that affect character: endogenous and exogenous
- Endogenous factors- these are factors that originate from within a place, which goes on to influence the original local of that place. These factors can include relief, natural resources, infrastructure and geology. For example, the chalky white cliffs of Dover , which is the geology aspect, has influenced the character of the place as it makes up a large part of dover’s identity. Its local people have a strong identity to the chalk cliffs, which has gone on to influence the media’s perception about Dover as it’s the highlights which is conveyed.
- Exogeneous factors- these are factors that originate from outside of a place or looks at the relationship between places. These include capital, people, ideas and resources. Capital includes the flow of money from outside of a place like a bank or the government. This capital can influence social process is in a place like gentrification or regeneration. For example, alocal place , the Saint Nicholas shopping centre in Sutton was financed by a German bank. For people, the influx of Bangladeshi immigrants into Brick Lane has brought along their cultures and cuisines. This had led to new shops and restaurants which had changed the media’s perception about the place as it’s been nicknamed Curry house . As a result, outsiders have changed their perception about Brick Lane. Ideas include urban planners who have to design urban areas with the genus lokai in mind. Resources include when building materials are brought infrom an outside of a place. However, this can be an endogenous factor as Scottish homes are built with granite which was mined within the local area.