Case studies: challenges for rural-urban fringes

Question 1

What is the rural-urban fringe?

Answer 1

The interface zone between urban and rural environments

Question 2

What is suburbanisation?

Answer 2

The decentralization of people, services, and industry to the edge of the urban area. This occurred at greenfield sites like Castlereagh and Sydenham

Question 3

\What are the consequences of suburbanisation?

Answer 3

• Agricultural lands and forests destroyed
• Absorption of villages by urban sprawl
• More traffic congestion, more pollution and longer journey times

Question 4

What is counter-urbanisation?

Answer 4

Movement of people from the inner city and suburbs to rural towns and villages, such as Comber and Carryduff which have seen growth over 20 years

Question 5

What are the consequences of counter-urbanisation

Answer 5

• Increases house prices since demand increases (Comber)
• More traffic in rural areas (16000 to 34000 1995 to 2006 in Belfast’s outer ring)
• Loss of village character
• Increased service pressure

Question 6

Greenfield developments

Answer 6

An area of land surrounding a city or town that has not been developed or built up.

Question 7

What are the impacts of Greenfield developments upon rural-urban fringes?

Answer 7

• Loss of agricultural land (9,000 out of 51,000 new homes Belfast Metropolitan Area plan)
• Increased congestion
• Loss of wildlife habitats
• Increased flood risks

Question 8

Discuss Transport Infrastructure

Answer 8

Infrastructure will take over farmland and habitats, encroach on scenic areas and increase pollution.

Question 9

Give some examples of the effects of Transport infrastructure

Answer 9

• BMA plan cites 20% increase in traffic on the major arterial routes in Belfast.
• 1995 to 2006 16,000 to 340000 in Outer ring
• To combat this construction of a connection between the M1 and M2 is to reduce congestion.