Birmingham

Question 1

Why did the UK’s cities grow?

Answer 1

Jobs in factories during Industrial Revolution attracted people to cities.

Question 2

How did the UK’s population increase during the 18th Century?

Answer 2

From 5 million in 1700 to 9 million in 1801.

Question 3

Why did London develop?

Answer 3

Due to its position and status as capital of the UK. The most important political and financial buildings located there.

Question 4

Why did London’s young population grow?

Answer 4

Opportunity for regular, well-paid work. Entertainment, theatres & fashion on offer.

Question 5

What did London’s urban young work as?

Answer 5

Domestic servants to aristocratic families. Apprentices to London’s tradesmen.

Question 6

What % of the British population lived in London by 1800?

Answer 6

Nearly 10%.

Question 7

Why did Birmingham grow?

Answer 7

Positioned in the centre of the UK and had industrial links.

Question 8

Why have the UK’s coastal areas attracted people?

Answer 8

Cities have grown here because of availability of sheltered bays and river estuaries, suitable for building harbours and ports.

Question 9

Why did many northern cities grow?

Answer 9

Valuable minerals caused industries to develop e.g. Newcastle and Leeds developed through major coalfields.

Question 10

How might the UK’s population distribution change in the future?

Answer 10

Since 1997, inward migration has exceeded outward migration. Immigrants tend to settle in large cities. More people moving to countryside e.g. to retire.

Question 11

Where is Birmingham located?

Answer 11

In the geographic centre of England; in the centre of the West Midlands region.

Question 12

What makes Birmingham an important city?

Answer 12

Home to approx. 31,000 companies. Over £13 billion investment in infrastructure. 200 law firms located there. Many global firms located there e.g. Fujitsu.

Question 13

How do railway links make Birmingham an important transport hub?

Answer 13

Direct rail links to many UK cities. 2020 – New Street 5th busiest train station in UK. HS2 station being built in Curzon Street – can travel to London in 52 minutes.

Question 14

How do aviation links Birmingham an important transport hub?

Answer 14

Birmingham Airport – 12.7 million passengers in 2019. Many destinations can be reached from Airport. Runway extended in 2014, allowing larger aircraft and further destinations.

Question 15

How do we know that Birmingham is culturally diverse?

Answer 15

2018 – 1.1 million people from 187 different countries living in Birmingham.

Question 16

What % of Birmingham’s population is aged 25 or under?

Answer 16

40%.

Question 17

How has migration shaped Birmingham’s character?

Answer 17

Rich cultural heritage. Successful multi-cultural communities. Ethnic restaurants and cultural events. Polish Catholic Centre established in Digbeth in 1947.

Question 18

How many universities are located in Birmingham?

Answer 18

5, including University of Birmingham.

Question 19

Why is Birmingham an important international city?

Answer 19

Airport links to major European and non-European destinations. High levels of foreign direct investment. University of Birmingham attracts foreign students.

Question 20

Identify opportunities in Birmingham: cultural mix.

Answer 20

Very diverse. Lots of religious landmarks e.g. Birmingham Central Mosque.

Question 21

Identify opportunities in Birmingham: recreation and entertainment.

Answer 21

Lots of entertainment – Symphony Hall, Botanical Gardens, Royal Ballet. Michelin Star rated restaurants. The Balti Triangle – restaurants & curry houses.

Question 22

Identify opportunities in Birmingham: employment.

Answer 22

70,000 jobs in tourist industry. Barclays has relocated to Birmingham. 171 foreign direct investment projects in 2017-18, creating 9,500 jobs.

Question 23

Identify opportunities in Birmingham: integrated transport systems (ITS).

Answer 23

‘Birmingham Connected’ plan – new train system, cycle routes, walkways & improved rail links. Extension of Birmingham Metro.

Question 24

Identify opportunities in Birmingham: urban greening.

Answer 24

‘Birmingham’s Green Vision’ plan – increase amount of green space in city. Encouraging use of allotments, creating walkable and cycleable neighbourhoods, creating green roofs.

Question 25

Identify challenges in Birmingham: urban deprivation.

Answer 25

2015 – 3rd most deprived city in England. Deprivation clustered near city centre. Partly caused by closure of industries in 70s. High unemployment & spiral of decline.

Question 26

Identify challenges in Birmingham: inequalities in housing.

Answer 26

High population = pressure on housing. Poor quality housing in deprived areas. 10,000 homeless.

Question 27

Identify challenges in Birmingham: inequalities in education.

Answer 27

Large number of residents with no qualifications in Shard End (41%) and Bordesley Green (39%). 2017 – in Sutton Coldfield, GCSE pupils overachieved; in Perry Barr, they underachieved.

Question 28

Identify challenges in Birmingham: inequalities in health.

Answer 28

Aston – lower levels of English speakers = difficulty accessing health services. Female life expectancy in richest areas is 85.1 but just 80.2 in most deprived areas.

Question 29

Identify challenges in Birmingham: emlpoyment

Answer 29

Closure of factories = high unemployment. MG Rover closed in 2005 = 6,000 immediate job losses. Lots of benefit claimants in e.g. Sparkbrook & Soho.

Question 30

Identify challenges in Birmingham: dereliction.

Answer 30

Derelict buildings e.g. closed factories attract vandalism & graffiti = poor environment. Dudley Road Police Station – empty, boarded up & marked with graffiti.

Question 31

Identify challenges in Birmingham: brownfield & greenfield sites.

Answer 31

Housing shortages. 2015 – needed 89,000 new homes but only had space for 51,000. BMHT will spent £19 million to develop 107 new homes on brownfield in Birmingham.

Question 32

Identify challenges in Birmingham: waste disposal.

Answer 32

2015 – only 30% of waste recycled. Will increase to 40% by 2026 through household waste recycling centres and energy recovery facility. Some waste is burned, releasing CO2.

Question 33

Identify challenges in Birmingham: urban sprawl.

Answer 33

Rural-urban fringe desirable for new housing and leisure facilities. Worries about environmental impacts of building on greenfield. Leads to outward sprawl of cities.

Question 34

Identify challenges in Birmingham: growth of commuter settlements.

Answer 34

In the last 10 years, 42,000 people moved from centre of Birmingham to edge of city = growth of commuter settlements. Issues with traffic congestion & pollution.

Question 35

Why is regeneration needed in Birmingham?

Answer 35

Decline in manufacturing e.g. closure of MG Rover Longbridge, has led to deprivation, job losses and dereliction.

Question 36

What is the Big City Plan?

Answer 36

A 20-year regeneration plan for reforming 5 key areas of the city (including the City Centre Core and Jewellery Quarter).

Question 37

What are the aims of the 20-year Big City Plan?

Answer 37

Create over 50,000 new jobs. Create an efficient, walkable, connected city centre. Provide over 5,000 new homes. Address the impacts of climate change.

Question 38

How is the Jewellery Quarter being regenerated?

Answer 38

Develop the art/craft sector. Golden Square – a focal point in the centre of JQ for events, exhibitions and markets. Create convenient links between JQ and City Centre.

Question 39

How is the City Centre Core being regenerated?

Answer 39

£127 million extension of metro – will create 1,300 sustainable jobs and bring £50 million into economy. Mixed-use development opposite Snow Hill Station. 2 office blocks, a hotel and apartments.