2.3 Urban Flashcards
Rio Transport problems
Citizen loses 100 hours in traffic yearly- late to work, money on fuel
Rioting damaged railways stations- can’t get to work, railway companies lose income
Isolated communities on steep hillsides, transport difficult- tricky to build or expand roads
3 million rely on overcrowded buses- injuries, frequent breakdowns
Subways don’t connect with favelas- can’t travel to work
Poorly maintained streets + vehicles run red lights- 700 traffic fatalities yearly
Rio Transport management + effectiveness
Rio-Niteroi Bridge connects two cities- shorter alternative to 80km road journey
Rising levels of car ownership, both ends of bridge jammed in rush hours, congestion
Bike lanes sponsored by government throughout city- cycling safer + encourages it
Locals delighted about safe bike-sharing, active travel + public health
600 bikes available at 60 rental stations- increases physical activity within city
Traffic congestion reduced- viable alternative to using vehicles to travel
Tram system designed without overhead power lines- no fossil fuels + toxic gases
Fastest way to travel through city, frequent + cheaper than other transportation
Metro is cleanest transport + carries 1 million people daily- fast and frequent to commute
Reduced amount of cars on road, less congestion and pollution
20km toll road used by lots of vehicles daily- cheap + provides income for government
Government- not enough money to cover cost, less drivers as people won’t pay
Rio Housing problems
Poor building materials eg. metal and scrap, vulnerable to collapse
Limited space as multiple people share rooms, cramped conditions, spread of disease
Favelas located on steep hillsides- exposed to land slides during heavy rainfall
Gang activity and frequent violence- difficult to live there (lack of safety)
Limited access to schools, hospitals and transportation- impacts residents
Flammable materials and unsafe electrical wires, risk of spreadable fires
Rio Housing management + effectiveness
Implemented programmes- more schools for kids in area to attend
Student performance increased and drop-out rate fell, keeps kids off street
Collaboration with NGOs, provide resources for housing + community development
Brought a sense of unity to community + shared purpose among residents
Urbanisation improves infrastructure, access to water, electricity, sewage systems
Gentrification (upgrades increased property values), displaced poorer residents elsewhere
Presence of police to reducing gang violence, improve safety and living conditions
Gang violence + drug trafficking decreased, greater freedom of movement within favelas
Self-help schemes- locals use skills from materials provided eg. bricks + cement by government
Cost effective as government pays for materials, but building quality is poor (DIY)
New suburb of Rio built to provide more housing for locals, reduced overcrowding
Urban sprawl from expansion into rural areas, environmental degradation + habitat loss
Edinburgh Transport problems
High level of car ownership, people have money to afford 1+ cars
People commute in and out of CBD for work, traffic jams during rush hours
Lack of parking spaces in CBD, cars park on street, costly for ticket
Roads in need of constant repair, poorly maintained
Cobbled + narrow roads flowing one way, slow flow of traffic
Tourism in peak seasons adds to cars on road and jams
Edinburgh Transport management + effectiveness
Park and ride at Hermiston, reduces need for CBD shoppers to drive into town
May boost CBD shopping + aid competitiveness with out of town retail shops
Pedestrianised streets- Rose Street, safer for people
More pleasant environment + greater footfall (more space)
Cycle lanes implemented to promote active travel
Carbon neutral, helps reach green plan targets set
Trams to and from airport- reduce taxi travel by tourists
Electric so zero emissions in a busy city, better for health
Edinburgh Housing problems
In Leith:
Port and trade declined, many industries shut down, derelict land
Brownfield site + empty docks- visual pollution, unattractive environment
Deindustrialisation- high unemployment rate, low income
Poverty- social issues eg. crime + drug use in area
Local population shrank (people moved), shops less profitable + limited
High density of buildings, limited open space, isolated on upper floors
Edinburgh Housing management + effectiveness
In Leith:
New tenement housing- security entry + parking off street
Increased house pricing, residents have had to move elsewhere
Affordable housing- provided by local housing associations eg. Port of Leith HA
Anti-social high-rise flats- demolished + upgraded eg. Cairngorm House
Houses designed with nautical theme, old industrial buildings repurposed as flats
Private health club + new restaurants provide employment opportunities
Improved amenities- built for locals to enjoy eg. Ocean Terminal
Affluent residents attracted to area, improved its perception
