Changing Urban Environments Flashcards
Spatial patterns of economic inequality in contrasting areas
▪️In 2015, the London Fairness Commission reported that for every £1 of wealth owned by the bottom 10% of London households, the top 10% own £172
▪️The richest 10% by financial assets have 60% of all assets
▪️The top 10th of employees earn roughly 4.5x more than the bottom 10%
▪️Kensington and Chelsea have the biggest imbalance- the top 1/4 earn at least £41 p/h, 3.5x those of the lowest 1/4.
▪️Average incomes are £130k in Kensington and Chelsea compared to £35k in Newham
Physical factors in Urban forms
▪️Topography: Slopes are harder to build on and less accessible so slums may develop here
▪️Water: Cities may grow along rivers. Lakes and seas limit urban growth
▪️Land type: Some grounds are harder to build on. Concrete is more stable than swamps and wetlands
Human factors in urban forms
▪️ Infrastructure: New developments are often built along transport links, leading to linear growth
▪️Land Value: Highest land value is near city centre, profitable businesses are located there
▪️Population: The denser the population, the more compact and structured, high rise terraced housing to accommodate
▪️Economy: A poor economy and government leads to chaotic and unplanned urban sprawl eg Mumbai
Economic and social well-being in London
▪️By 2018, London Living wage was now at £10.55 p/h which was above the average £9 p/h. This lifted 10k families out of poverty. However, there are still 700k jobs undo the London Living Wage
▪️Air pollution causes 9k deaths annually. Public health England found that 5.3% of deaths of over 25s were linked to air pollution.
▪️Poorer people are twice as likely to die from chronic lower respiratory illnesses, some have lengthy commutes on buses as they can’t afford tube fares.
