BIRMINGHAM- urban challenges

Question 1

what is the distribution of the UK’s population?

Answer 1

• majority in major cities like London

- ver few people up north in Scotland

Question 2

where is Birmingham located in relation to human and physical features?

Answer 2

• central England
• close to towns like Solihull, Coventry
• prime location for transport of goods
• major motoways, M5, M42

Question 3

what is Birmingham’s role on the wider world?

Answer 3

• industry, first steam engine, so mass transport
• alternative business hub to London
• eg HSBC £200 million investment in new head quarters

Question 4

what are the positives of ethnicity distribution in Birmingham?

Answer 4

• greater cultural awareness
• new food, events
• range of stores

Question 5

what are the negatives of ethnicity distribution in Birmingham?

Answer 5

• not much diversity
• hate crime
• over crowded
• racism
• people don’t find out about other cultures

Question 6

what are the social, economic and environmental opportunities urban change has created in Birmingham?

Answer 6

• social + economic= culture mix, recreation and entertainment, employment, transport systems
• environmental= urban greening

Question 7

how has cultural mixing created opportunities?

Answer 7

• ‘Balti Triangle’ south of Birmingham city centre. high concentration go baltic restaurants.
• greater variety= food, fashion, religion
• attracts tourists and more taxes payed

Question 8

how has recreation and entertainment created opportunities?

Answer 8

• symphony hall, library, restaurants

- attract people from outside Birmingham

Question 9

how has new transport systems created opportunities?

Answer 9

• midland metro (tram)= snow hill to new street, 1300 jobs
• trains grand central= 37seconds train arrives, 400 new carriages
• pedestrianisation= ecofriendly
• ring road removal= less pollution, easier to walk into city

Question 10

what is urban greening?

Answer 10

the process of increasing and preserving open spaces such as public parks ad gardens in urban areas.

Question 11

what is an example of urban greening in Birmingham?

Answer 11

east side park, improves green way network, links brooks and other small ecosystems

Question 12

what are the social, economic and environmental challenges urban change has created in Birmingham?

Answer 12

• social+economic= urban deprivations, housing inequality, education, health and employment
• environmental= dereliction, building on brown and green field sites, waste disposal
• urban sprawl on rural urban fringe and commuter settlements

Question 13

how has urban deprivation caused challenges?

Answer 13

• high urban deprivation in city centre

- high unemployment in centre

Question 14

how has housing inequality caused challenges?

Answer 14

• population new 6x faster than houses built
• 10,000 in 2014-1015
• natural growth and immigrants from abroad and UK

Question 15

how has health inequality caused challenges?

Answer 15

• people in the north and south live longer than people who live in central Birmingham
• more urba deprivation in central Birmingham

Question 16

how has dereliction caused challenges?

Answer 16

• attract squatters
• attract rats
• lower value of local properties
• increase crime rate

Question 17

what is a brown field site?

Answer 17

a previously developed piece of land now available for redevelopment

Question 18

what is a green field site?

Answer 18

an undeveloped piece of land with proposal first time development

Question 19

how has waste disposal caused challenges?

Answer 19

• by 2030 70% will be recycled
• aim to reduce the amount of waste by 10%
• not enough funding
• people are lazy and not willing to help

Question 20

what is urban sprawl?

Answer 20

the spread of city buildings and houses into an area that used to be countryside

Question 21

why has Birmingham sprawled?

Answer 21

migration
more industry
easier transport
population growth

Question 22

what are the characteristics of commuter settlements?

Answer 22

• train stations
• larger houses
• transport links
• main roads that link to city centre

Question 23

what is an urban regeneration project which happened in Birmingham?

Answer 23

the big city plan

Question 24

key facts about the big city plan?

Answer 24

• bring £2.1 billion to economy each year
• 600million on new street station
• 50,000 new jobs

Question 25

why was the redevelopment needed?

Answer 25

• voted ugliest translation in UK
• over crowed
• 170,000 people using station but only built for 60,000
• poor impression on Birmingham

Question 26

what did the big city plan involve doing?

Answer 26

• shops, new platform, new entrances
• John Lewis to Birmingham and new high end retailers
• 1000 new permenant jobs
• new design

Question 27

what made the big city plan sustainable?

Answer 27

• 60% of rainwater harvested to flush toilet buildings
• 300,000 passengers per day
• concret removed plastic replaced to allow light

Question 28

how could cities like Birmingham be made more sustainable urban living?

Answer 28

• recycling waste
• creating green space
• water and energy conservation

Question 29

what would be a better transport strategy to reduce traffic congestion within cities?

Answer 29

• more pedestrianised
• cycle paths
• buses
• train links