Case studies (Human geography) Flashcards
1
Q
Why is Rio important? (Regionally, nationally, internationally)
A
- Rio is located in the south east of Brazil in south America.
- It is important regionally for education such as the federal university of Rio. Rio is also important for healthcare and medical expertise with a university of hospital care.
- Rio is important nationally for as it makes 5% of Rio’s income. The city is the home of government owned companies such as petrobras and electrobras.
- The city is important internationally for trade exports such as coffee. The country also owns the international companies Esso and Shell. Lots of people abroad seek investment and employment in Rio’s marketing and trade opportunities.
2
Q
Why is Rio’s population increasing?
A
- There are many migrants from china and south career looking for business opportunities.
- There is a high rate of natural increase (0.82%) as there is a younger population.
- There is lots of economic growth and wealth within the city because of the three ports making it attractive for people looking for employment.
3
Q
What are some of the social opportunities in Rio?
A
- Health : There are 105 hospitals with nearly 300,000 beds making it a city of excellent healthcare. There is a low death rate and high life expectancy.
- Education : Children living in Slums receive free daily education improving the quality of life for children.
- Water : 95% of people in Rio have access to clean drinking water compared to 65% in the rest of Brazil. This improves health.
- Energy : 99% have access to the power grid allowing people to heat their homes and improve their quality of life.
4
Q
What are some of the economic opportunities in Rio?
A
- Informal Sector : The great opportunities in Rio have attracted lots of Migrants. Many of these people work in the informal sector which is unregulated, poorly paid, irregular and has not tax. (e.g street vendors)
- Formal Sector : The growing economic opportunities has attracted large companies and investors internationally. For example Land Rover has spent $240 million investing car making plant in Rio. Jobs in this sector are well paid, regulated & pay tax to the government.
5
Q
How has urban growth created challenges in Rio?
A
- Slums : migrants gather on the landscape surrounding the city i informal settlements. They are illegal and the land they are build is prone to landslides.
- Resources : within these slums there is very limited health services and resources such as clean water. This leads to increased disease such as cholera and typhoid.
- Services : only 25% of children in slums have education, 16% are illiterate and only 55% have access to healthcare. There are limited services that people in slums can access.
- Environment : the lack of a regular pin service leads to lots of pollution and litter in the area. Increased population also leads to more traffic in the area. This contributes to more greenhouse gases being emitted. Buildings are often built poorly to have mould or asbestos.
- Crime rates: they are high within Rio’s favelas from drug trafficking. Slums are a very dangerous place to be with many wars between gangs and shootings.
- Unemployment : 20% of the population are unemployed. Many people work i the informal sector instead which is not as stable.
6
Q
How has the Favela Bairro project improved the challenges created in Rio?
A
- Slums : residents can apply to legally own their property
- Resources : many areas have been remodeled to have green spaces for growing food, new sewage systems and safe roads
- Services : A cable car has been built to connect people in slums to healthcare and education within the city. Daycare and education has also improved through free schooling.
- Environment : more funding for people to buy better materials for their housing. Weekly rubbish collection takes place. A new city metro system is created to reduce traffic.
- Crime rates : a pacifying police unit (UPP) was introduced in 2008. It reduced murder rate by 40% however residence are often more scared of the UPP than the gags because of their violent methods.
- Unemployment : A cable car system connects the clums to employment opportunities in Rio.
7
Q
How is London important nationally?
A
- London is nationally important for a range of entertainment such as its 300 theatres.
- It is also an important city for travel from the UK internationally and within the country.
- It has important british historical sites and museums for tourists.
8
Q
How is London important internationally?
A
- The city is important internationally as many iconic sites like the shard are owned by rich international investors.
- London has great education and people travel from all around the world for universities such as Goldsmiths or Eaton.
- There as 5 airports which connect London to the rest of the world.
9
Q
What has the national migration effect done for the growth and character of London?
A
- Growth: National migration has led to a growth in student accommodation, services aimed at the younger generation, large housing estates i the suburbs and more luxury apartments.
- Character: National migration has changes the character of london leading to dereliction of inner city areas because of suburbanisation and it has lead to the breaking up of communities.
10
Q
What has the international migration effect done for the growth and character of London?
A
- Growth: International migration has led to growth in services/shops/buildings that reflect a certain culture and background from different parts of the world. It has also lead to a growth in languages and diversity with over 100 different languages being spoken.
- Character: International migration has changed the character of london leading to clustering of different ethnicities, increased racial tension and terrorist attacks as well as difficulties with understanding so many different languages.
11
Q
How has urban change created environmental challenges in london?
A
- Derelict: Factory was abandoned in 1992 and is a contaminated site. Plant growth is negatively impacted, animals habitats and food supplies are affected, leaching gets contamination into water like the river Thames’ affection for aquatic life.
- Brownfield & Greenfield sites: as the city grows there is more pressure on building on greenfield sites( natural untouched land) to expand the city in the easiest way possible while destroying natural habitats. Building on brownfield sites (derelict unused parts of the city) is more environmentally friendly but is much more difficult as the land needs clearing and decontaminating.
- Waste disposal: 9 million people create 27 million tonnes of waste that needs to be disposed correctly. In London people are encouraged to recycle, share and take part in jumble sales to increase recycling.
12
Q
What are some of the opportunities created in London from urban changes? (Social, economic and environmental)
A
- Social : cultural mix and diversity has increased encouraging cultural festivals like notting hill carnival. Recreation opportunities such as museums and galleries.
- Economic : there is a wide range of jobs for people to earn a living. The amazing integrated transport system of buses and the tube mean people can get around faster and make more money.
- Environmental : urban greening where people share allotments and gardens creating communities, There are also many large parks for the public to escape city life.
13
Q
What are some of the social and economic challenges created in London from urban change?
A
- Urban Deprivation : the west side of london is much wealthier than the east side. Kensington and Chelsea are much wealthier than in Newham.
- Housing inequalities : In newham houses are cheap (2 bed rent £2,500 monthly) but in Kensington and Chelsea houses are expensive (2 bed rent £4000 )
- Education and Employment : GCSE grades are 20% higher in Kensington and Chelsea than in Newham. 5% more are unemployed in Newham.
- Lifestyle: Life expectancy is 5 years higher in Chelsea & Kensington than Newham.
14
Q
What did the Olympic site regeneration project entail?
A
The lower Lea Valley was regenerated from the olympic site into a site that benefits the people of London. The site was derelict and overgrown. It was often flooded as it was on a tributary of the Thames so there were few houses. It was once the main industrial area of London and is also one of the most deprived parts. The buildings used in the olympics were transformed into businesses, schools, housing, sports facilities etc for the community.
15
Q
What were some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Olympic site regeneration project?
A
- Advantages: the athletes village was transformed into nearly 3,000 homes, new jobs in construction, tourism and retail, the River Lea estuary was cleaned to improve water.
- Disadvantages: Social: properties were expensive and not affordable for most people, Existing jobs had to move away for the project, Wilderness and biodiversity lost in building projects.
16
Q
What is BEDZED?
A
Bedzed is a sustainable urban development in the south of London in the borough of Sutton. Residents have a way of life that will last a long time. The environment is not damaged, local people can earn an income and they are involved in decision making.
17
Q
How does BEDZED help with reducing energy consumption, conserving water, recycling waste and increasing green space?
A
- Energy : reduced by 81% because of south facing windows in buildings, triple glazing, thick insulation, low energy lights and appliances as well as energy metres which allow residents to keep track of what they are using.
- Conserve Water : permeable pavements, plant covered roofs collect rainwater to reuse within the home for non drinking uses like toilet flushes.
- Recycle waste : in Bedzed 60% of waste is recycled which is three times the UK average this is because of special recycling Kitchen appliances and residents who encourage each other to recycle.
- Green space : there are green roofs and sky gardens on each house that attract insects and wildlife. Borders have also been planted around the houses with local lavender, rosemary and native trees.
18
Q
What does traffic in London lead to?
A
- increases accidents
- pollution levels high
- noisy for residents
- makes people late and wastes their time
- causes stress and road rage.
19
Q
How can traffic be reduced in London?
A
- Using other modes of transport such as london buses, underground, trams, hirable bikes, emirates air line cable car.
- Laws can also be put in place such as congestion charges if you are passing through a certain part of London
red routes which warn people of traffic areas and advise people on transport routes or shortcuts.
20
Q
Where and what is the Snowy Mountain Transfer Scheme?
A
The snowy mountain transfer scheme is located in the south east of Australia. The project transports melt water from the mountains to other parts of Australia in water deficit as well as supplying water to agriculture and industries.
21
Q
What are some advantages of the Snowy Mountains Water Transfer Scheme?
A
- Provides jobs for the construction industry.
Works with people from 30 different countries increasing diversity. - The dam also supplies hydroelectric power through three power stations. This is environmentally friendly as it does not burn fossil fuels.
- The project aims to maintain and conserve the landscape to make it sustainable for the future.
- The water has many uses and benefits to people across Australia.
22
Q
What are some disadvantages of the Snowy Mountains Water Transfer Scheme?
A
- The building process often damages the natural landscape and habitats within it.
- It is a very expensive scheme to build and run.
- Diverts the natural flow of rivers.
