changing cities Flashcards
What was the process of urbanisation in developed countries?
The main cause of urbanisation was industrialisation. In the UK, the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions of the 18th/19th centuries led to the mechanisation of farming and increase in factory jobs which meant people moved from rural areas to cities
What have been the recent changes in the process of urbanisation in developed countries?
In recent years, counter-urbanisation (where people leave towns to live in the countryside) and re-urbanisation (where people move to live close to city centres) has occurred.
What has been the process of urbanisation in emerging and developing countries over the last 50 years?
Most urbanisation has occurred very rapidly in the last 50 years. This is because of rural-to-urban migration (people moving to cities in search of jobs and a better quality of life) and natural increase (when birth rates are higher than death rates).
Why are cities in emerging and developing countries growing so fast?
This is because of rural-to-urban migration (people moving to cities in search of jobs and a better quality of life) and natural increase (when birth rates are higher than death rates).
What have been the effects of rapid urban growth in emerging and developing countries?
There is not enough time to build sufficient houses for those moving to cities. Some people have to rent or build their own homes in unplanned slums or shanty towns. Air, noise and water pollution increase. The gap between rich and poor widens.
What is a megacity?
A very large city with more than 10 million inhabitants. They have grown because of rural-to-urban migration (people moving to cities in search of jobs and a better quality of life) and natural increase (when birth rates are higher than death rates).
In which parts of the UK is the population density generally lower?
It is generally lower in the north of the UK. This is because there are fewer major cities and the high relief of the land makes it difficult to build on. The cooler climate of Scotland makes living in the area more difficult because of the extreme conditions.
In which parts of the UK is the population density generally higher?
It is generally higher in the south of the UK where there is flat land and fertile soils. London in SE England has the highest population density in the UK. It is the capital city, a port, close to the EU market and the centre of UK government and decision-making.
How do physical factors such as high relief and steep slopes affect population density in the UK?
To the north and west of the Tees-Exe line, the land is mostly high with mountains and steep slopes. The soil is thin and farming is difficult. There are few major cities as it is difficult to build on steep land, so employment opportunities are limited.
How do physical factors such as climate (temperature and rates of precipitation) affect population density in the UK?
Colder temperatures and high precipitation levels make parts of the UK difficult to live in. In Scotland and Wales, the cool and rainy climate has led to low population densities in these areas.
How have historical factors such as the Industrial Revolution influenced the UK’s population distribution?
The Industrial Revolution led to the rapid growth of factory towns on the coalfields of central Scotland, N and NE England and South Wales. Cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle grew rapidly. They remain important conurbations.
How have recent economic factors influenced the UK’s population density?
Many secondary industries have relocated to emerging and developing countries, leading to decline in the N and NW of the UK. Tertiary and quaternary activities need space, access to good transport networks and the EU market - i.e. SE England.
How can political factors explain London’s continued growth?
London is the centre of UK government and decision-making. This has encouraged firms and people to live in or near the capital. This has been reinforced by the UK’s relationship with the EU. London is also a world-class cultural/financial centre.
Describe the site of Birmingham.
Birmingham grew up on a dry point site on a south-facing sandstone ridge overlooking a crossing point of the River Rea. it is located on the Birmingham plateau, part of the Midlands region.
Describe the situation of Birmingham.
Birmingham is located centrally in England. It has excellent road links to the north and south (M6, M42, M5 and M40). It is also at the heart of the national rail network and has an international airport, linking it to cities all over the world.
Describe how Birmingham is connected to the West Midlands and the rest of the UK.
Birmingham has excellent road links to the north and south (M6, M42, M5 and M40). It is also at the heart of the national rail network. When HS2 (a high-speed rail project) is completed, the journey between Birmingham and London will only take 49 minutes.
Describe how Birmingham is connected on a global scale.
Birmingham International Airport is located to the SE of the city. The airport offers domestic flights within the UK and international flights to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, North America and the Caribbean.
What are the main cultural characteristics of Birmingham?
Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the UK with 42% of its inhabitants from ethnic groups other than white. In the 2011 Census, 13.5% defined themselves as Pakistani and 6% as Indian. A wide range of religions are practised here too.
What are the main environmental characteristics of Birmingham?
Birmingham has 571 parks, more than any other European city. In 2010, it was ranked 15th in the list of sustainable cites. It reduced carbon emissions by 12% in 2009/10. There is continued investment in energy-efficient measures for housing.
Explain the age of buildings, function and land use in Birmingham’s Central Business District.
This is one of the oldest parts of the city and the hub with offices, shops, theatres and hotels. Many of the buildings are quite new following redevelopment projects such as the Bullring shopping centre. Environmental quality is quite high.
Explain the age of buildings, function and land use in Birmingham’s inner-city.
These areas developed in the 19th century to house workers in Birmingham’s many factories. Today, they consist of tightly packed terraces and blocks of flats that were built during the 1970s. There are few shops, factories and churches.
Explain the age of buildings, function and land use in Birmingham’s suburbs.
These were built during the 1930s, 1950s and 1960s. The suburbs extend beyond the inner-city. Some are centres of council housing and others are private estates. The density of buildings is low, and environmental quality is generally high.
Explain the age of buildings, function and land use in Birmingham’s urban-rural fringe.
This is the area on the outskirts of the city where town meets country. There is a mixture of land uses here - some large, modern, detached houses, golf courses, out-of-town shopping centres and business parks and the airport.
How did the process of urbanisation change Birmingham in the 18th and 19th centuries?
This was based on the manufacture of jewellery, guns, buttons and brass. New terraced houses were built for workers coming to Birmingham from the countryside in areas such as Selly Oak and Small Health.
How did the process of suburbanisation change Birmingham in the 1920s and 1930s?
The growing population in the 1920s and ’30s meant large estates of council and private houses were built on the outskirts of the city. Many were semi-detached on large plots of land. They were often laid out on wide tree-lined roads with grass verges.
How has the process of counter-urbanisation changed Birmingham since the 1970s?
Five comprehensive development areas in Birmingham’s inner city saw the demolition of many 19th century terraced houses and encouraged people to move to estates on the edge of the city or to new towns e.g. Redditch.
How is the process of re-urbanisation changing Birmingham today?
Since the 1990s, many people have chosen to move back to the city centre to be nearer to amenities and offices. New apartments have been built near the canals and in converted factories. The Mailbox is another successful redevelopment project.
How has the population of Birmingham been changed by national migration over the last 50 years?
Some people have moved out of Birmingham to retire in destinations on the south coast, such as Bournemouth. Many have moved to Birmingham to find work in the CBD or to study in one of the city’s five universities.
Why have people from rural areas and other major UK cities moved to Birmingham?
Many people have moved to Birmingham to find work in the redeveloped CBD or to study in one of the city’s five universities. Indeed, Birmingham is the UK’s second largest student city.
Why have people from Birmingham moved away to other parts of the UK?
Some people have moved out of Birmingham in order to retire in attractive destinations on the south coast, such as Bournemouth and Eastbourne. Others have moved to London and other UK cities to find employment.
Why did international migrants move to Birmingham in the 1950s?
In the 1950s, the UK government encouraged immigration from former colonies in the Caribbean, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. They needed to fill vacancies in unpopular employment sectors such as transport and textile manufacturing.
Why have international migrants from eastern European countries moved to Birmingham since 2000?
Many people have moved to Birmingham from Poland, Latvia and Estonia. They have wanted to find better jobs and a higher standard of living. The majority of these immigrants are aged 18-34.
Why did international migrants from Syria and Afghanistan move to Birmingham in 2012-2015?
Many people fled from conflict and fighting, hoping to start a new, peaceful life in the UK.
How has international migration affected the older inner-city parts of Birmingham?
In the 1970s, many migrants sought cheap housing to rent and buy in the older, inner-city parts of Birmingham e.g. Sparkhill, Sparkbrook and Aston. Communities have developed in these areas, with many specialist shops and places of worship.
How has international migration affected the eastern side of Birmingham, including areas such as Bordesley?
Many of the more recent immigrants have settled in the eastern side of the city. Here the houses were relatively cheap to either rent or buy. Most are terraced houses with some blocks of flats. Community centres have been built too.
How has migration affected Birmingham’s age structure?
With many migrants settling in Birmingham, the percentage of people aged 20-35 is higher than the UK average. 66% of the population is under 65. There are fewer people aged 40-85+ than the UK average.
How has migration changed Birmingham’s ethnic profile?
42% of Birmingham’s residents are from ethnic groups other than white. 16% of the population does not have English as their main language. Communities have developed their own shops and places of worship.
How has migration affected demand for housing in Birmingham?
There is an increasing demand for housing. This is because of the large number of people who have arrived in Birmingham in a short space of time.
How has migration affected demand for services such as GP surgeries in Birmingham?
Having more people in the city is putting increased pressure on key services. The local authority is struggling to keep up with the pace of change and do not have the funds to improve services as they would like to.
According to the 2011 Census, how large is Birmingham’s population?
Just over 1.1 million people live in the city.
Give two key reasons for Birmingham’s continuing population growth.
Birmingham continues to grow because of national and international migration. Migrants tend to be young, so the birth rate is high; however, the death rate is declining because of improved healthcare.
How did the process of globalisation affect Birmingham’s car and motorcycle manufacturing industries in the 1970s?
These industries were affected as cheaper vehicles were imported from Japan and western Europe. This led to a decline in the demand for cars and motorcycles produced in Birmingham causing these industries to decline.
How did the process of de-centralisation affect Birmingham’s inner-city areas in the 1970s?
Old factories were demolished to make way for new housing. The construction of the inner ring road involved the demolition of old factories, warehouses and houses. Some factories moved out of the inner-city. Others never reopened.
How did the slow adoption of new technologies affect some of Birmingham’s metal manufacturing businesses?
New technologies in the metal manufacturing sector were slow to be applied to the older factories in Birmingham. Consequently, some firms went out of business because they were less efficient than their high-tech rivals.
What were the impacts of de-industrialisation on Birmingham?
Many factories closed. Workers were made redundant. There was wide-spread unemployment and many workers needed to be retrained. Brownfield sites were created (empty factories and warehouses). Some land was left badly polluted - a health risk.
Which industries have grown in Birmingham in recent years?
Finance, IT and advanced manufacturing industries have grown in recent years.
How does the Index of Multiple Deprivation show inequality in Birmingham?
It assesses 38 items grouped in 7 main headings to measure people’s access to general resources and opportunities. Poverty is just one of these indices.
Describe the high levels of deprivation in Birmingham’s disadvantaged inner-city areas.
Many people have low incomes. There is high unemployment. Some of the schools are poor. Health provision is poor. Deprivation is high in areas such as Sparkbrook and Bordesley Green.
Which other areas of Birmingham also have high deprivation levels?
Deprivation is not just confined to the inner-city areas. Some of the suburbs, particularly towards the south and west, also have areas with high levels of deprivation, low incomes, high unemployment, poor living conditions and poor schools e.g. in Kings Norton.
Describe the low levels of deprivation in some suburban areas of Birmingham such as Sutton Four Oaks.
Sutton Four Oaks is in the top 5% of least deprived areas in the UK.
Why is there inequality in terms of level of deprivation in Birmingham?
Many new jobs are temporary and do not pay well. Job seekers may encounter racial discrimination. Older houses can be damp and cause health issues. The rapid increase in population has put pressure on health and education services in some areas.
What is the quality of life like in suburban areas such as Sutton Coldfield?
The quality of life is good in these prosperous areas. Crime rates are low, people have high incomes, there is a wide range of shops and low air and water pollution. There are also many areas of green space.
What is the quality of life like in inner-city areas such as Sparkbrook?
People are concerned about crime, air pollution and rubbish collection. There is less green space than elsewhere in the city. Despite this, many happy with their quality of life - they enjoy the wide range of local shops selling goods from around the world.
Why does the quality of life vary between different areas of Birmingham?
Local authority investment in the inner-city has been slow because of limited funding. These are also areas of high population density. This has put a strain on housing, education and health services. Some migrants do not have the skills for jobs available.
Why did Birmingham’s central business district change in the early 19th century?
People started to move away from the high-cost, noisy and polluted city centre to the suburbs.
Why did Birmingham’s central business district change in the 1870s?
Manufacturing industries started to relocate to the suburbs e.g. the Cadbury family built a chocolate factory in Bournville.
Why did Birmingham’s central business district change in the 1970s and 1980s?
Some retail shops moved out of the city centre. First, new shopping centres opened in the suburbs, then out-of-town shopping centres began to be developed e.g. Merry Hill in the 1980s.
What impact did the growth of out-of-town shopping centres in the 1980s have on areas such as Merry Hill?
This was a former steel works that was developed into a massive new shopping centre in 1985. This created employment opportunities and encouraged further investment.
What are the advantages of edge-of-town and out-of-town shopping centres for retailers?
They can have cheaper, larger units than those that are available in the CBD.
What are the advantages of edge-of-town and out-of- town shopping centres for consumers?
There is free, easy parking. Many stores are under one roof - out of the weather. The shopping area is pedestrianised and family-friendly. Large stores such as Debenhams and Marks and Spencer offer a wide range of goods to shoppers.
What are the benefits of internet shopping for consumers?
It allows for 24-hour shopping which is very convenient for those with full-time jobs and family commitments. People can indulge in ‘armchair shopping’. Many special discounts are available.
How has the increasing popularity of internet shopping impacted on Birmingham’s central business district?
There has been a decline the number of people who visit the shops. This has led to a decline in trade in the CBD, leaving empty retail units and declining services for people.
What strategies have Birmingham City Council employed to address decline in the central business district?
They have embarked on a programme of redevelopment including flagship projects such as the International Convention Centre and National Indoor Arena. The central shopping area has been pedestrianised and there is late-night opening of stores.
What impact have redevelopment schemes had on Birmingham’s central business district?
Recent redevelopment schemes include the Mailbox (1985), Bullring shopping centre (2003) and Grand Central rail and shopping centre (2015). These have resulted in a growth in trade in the city centre once again.
How is Birmingham City Council using recycling schemes to make urban living more sustainable and to improve quality of life?
It has improved its recycling system to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill site. It now recycles 30% of its waste, although this is less than the national average of 40%, so there is still some way to go.
How is Birmingham City Council promoting green transport to make urban living more sustainable and to improve quality of life?
It has encouraged people to use public transport, car share, use electric vehicles and walk or cycle around the city. The Council has supported the use of hybrid buses which could save 378 tonnes of carbon each year.
How is Birmingham City Council tackling youth unemployment to make urban living more sustainable and to improve quality of life?
It has introduced the Youth Promise pledge to provide employment, education and training for 14-25 year olds. It works closely with schools and universities through the Birmingham Education Partnership to recruit and retrain teachers.
How is Birmingham City Council promoting affordable housing to make urban living more sustainable and to improve quality of life?
Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust and Capita are working together to build new affordable houses. 1576 houses have been built across different areas of the city e.g. new houses and apartments have been built in Solihull and Kings Norton.
How is Birmingham City Council promoting energy-efficient housing to make urban living more sustainable and to improve quality of life?
In February 2016, it announced a new £59 million project. It plans to improve insulation by installing new windows and more energy-efficient heating systems. This will help to reduce the city’s CO2 emissions.
In what ways is Sparkhill’s community centre a good example of sustainable development in Birmingham?
This opened in 2012. It houses 3 GP surgeries serving 15,000 people, and also offers local council services, a library, rooms for community use and offices for start-up enterprises. The building has been awarded an ‘excellent’ sustainable rating.
How is Birmingham City Council working with Healthy Villages to improve the quality of life for its residents?
Healthy Villages promotes activities such as horticulture hubs - encouraging residents to grow food and eat more healthily. They have also set up weekly lunch clubs, walking clubs, tai chi classes and local befriending services.
What is an eco-footprint and how can measure a city’s impact on the environment?
This measures how much land is needed to provide a city with all the energy, water and materials it uses. It calculates how much pollution is created and how much land is needed to absorb the city’s waste.
Is Birmingham’s eco-footprint larger or smaller than the UK average?
Birmingham’s eco-footprint is 4.15ha/person. This is lower than the UK average of 5.3ha/person.
