Case Study - Birmingham (developed city)

Question 1

where is Birmingham on a global scale?

Answer 1

Europe, N.W of France and E of Canada

Question 2

where is Birmingham on a national scale?

Answer 2

U.K, England

Question 3

where is Birmingham on a regional scale?

Answer 3

West Midlands

Question 4

what is the site of Birmingham?

Answer 4

dry-point site, originally no connectivity/river.
flat plateau, north of river
south-facing
near crossing point of river Rea

Question 5

what is the situation and connectivity of Birmingham?

Answer 5

middle of country
canals originally linked Birmingham to other nearby towns
railway connects Birmingham to the rest of the UK
good road links
airport
near large work force

Question 6

what is Birmingham’s CBD like?

Answer 6

e.g. Corperation Street
businesses, banks, shops, etc…
tall buildings, not much housing

Question 7

what is Birmingham’s inner city like?

Answer 7

e.g. Ralph Road
houses built in small spaces, originally built for factory workers - terraced housing

Question 8

what are Birmingham’s inner suburbs like?

Answer 8

e.g. Wellesbourne Road
typically houses = semi-detached with garages

Question 9

what are Birmingham’s outer suburbs like?

Answer 9

e.g. Pilkington Avenue
housing is detached with driveways, garages and gardens

Question 10

what is Birmingham’s industrial zone like?

Answer 10

e.g. Tyburn
warehouses, big companies, head offices, depos

Question 11

what is Birmingham’s rural fringe like?

Answer 11

e.g. Curdworth
villages, not near city, but roads to get to the city go through villages.

Question 12

define urbanisation

Answer 12

the increase in % of people living in towns/cities, causing them to grow.

Question 13

define suburbanisation

Answer 13

the outward spread of the built-up area, often at lower density compared to older parts.

Question 14

define counter-urbanisation

Answer 14

the movement of people and employment from major cities to small settlements and rural areas located beyond the city or move to more distant towns and cities.

Question 15

define re-urbanisation

Answer 15

the movement of people back towards city centres away from rural areas and suburbs

Question 16

what is the population pyramid of Birmingham like?

Answer 16

there is a bulge in the 60s = baby boom in the 1950s
there is less of a bulge in the 40s = people move to more rural areas to have a family
there is a bulge in the 20s = universities and people getting jobs

Question 17

how has national migration affected Birmingham?

Answer 17

retirement to rural areas = +less pressure on services, +more housing, -less sending
jobs in the city = +more people to fill jobs, -more competition, -job shortages
study = -using services but not contributing, +part-time/seasonal jobs, +spending money

Question 18

how has international migration affected Birmingham?

Answer 18

worker = +willing to fill less desirable jobs for less, -bring families increases pressure
EU migration = -competition, -pressure, +fills labour, +pays taxes
flight from conflict = -large number so hard to prepare, -increased crime, -increased inequality, +fills jobs

Question 19

define deindustrialisation

Answer 19

the decline of industries in a city

Question 20

define decentrilisation

Answer 20

the movement of people, factories, offices, shops away from city centres to edge of city locations

Question 21

define infrastructure

Answer 21

roads, buildings, powerlines etc that enable human society to operate

Question 22

define globalisation

Answer 22

process by which cities become part of the world market

Question 23

what are four reasons for deindustrialisation?

Answer 23

globalisation
technological advances
decentralisation
transport/infrastructure developments

Question 24

what has employment in Birmingham been like since 1981?

Answer 24

services (tertiary sector) = increased since 1981
manufacturing (secondary sector) = decreased since 1981, increased in 1994/5
total = compared to 1981, there are less people employed

Question 25

how is Birmingham fighting back?

Answer 25

green vision = green spaces
community energy = renewable energy and less CO2 emissions
cycle revolution = cycling
Bullring + environmental improvement

Question 26

what is IMD?

Answer 26

IMD (index of multiple deprivation) measures the 38 characteristics of areas in a city and splits them into 7 categories

Question 27

define deprivation

Answer 27

the lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities to society

Question 28

what is deprivation like in Birmingham?

Answer 28

higher deprivation = centralised and in a ring around centre due to expensive housing, and lack of housing
lower deprivation = North and South of centre due to less expensive housing and more housing

Question 29

how is deprivation linked to unemployment?

Answer 29

40% of Birmingham’s population live in areas of deprivation
Birmingham has the highest levels of youth unemployment for the UK’s major cities.