Changing Urban Environments

Question 1

What is urbanisation?

Answer 1

• an increase in the % of people living in urban areas
• urban areas are built up zones that form part of a town or city
• in 2006, the UN announced that more than 50% of the world’s people were now living in urban areas

Question 2

When did the more developed countries (MEDCs) become urbanised?

Answer 2

• mainly before 1950

- however, from 1950 to 2050, we are still seeing substantial (53% to 85%) growth

Question 3

When did the least developed countries become urbanised?

Answer 3

• between 1950 to 2050.
• it grew from 5% to 55%. this growth rate is faster than MEDCs
• there is a clear link that urbanisation is linked to development. seen on stage 2 and 3 of DTM.

Question 4

What are the push and pull factors for urbanisation in MEDCs?

Answer 4

push factor from rural:

• fewer job options and long commute, wastes time and expensive
• in 1850s, changing industries forces people to move away
• fewer activités catered for young people: rural; areas are generally elderly population so social activities non existent or few
• decline in services and businesses due to depopulation. this leads to low quality of life and pushes people to move to the city
• agriculture may have declined since food imports from other countries are at competitive prices: there may be a decline in jobs in farming.poor crop yields

Pull factor to urban:

• mor job options and variety
• social activities: cities have places fit for young people such as clubs
• large population means more shops and consumers: services are more improved e.g. better schools and more variety of shops
• access to good services and healthcare

Question 5

What are the push and pull factors for urbanisation in LEDCs?

Answer 5

Push factor from rural:

• low wages: people are more likely to be attracted to higher income in urban areas
• poor living conditions: e.g. poor housing, education and healthcare
• decline of traditional agricultural industries: many people are left impoverished and forced to leave
• famine, drought, natural disasters: forces people to leave rural areas since they are no longer to earn money or live there properly

Pull factor to urban:

• better jobs and higher incomes: standard of living increases
• health and education is better: increased chances of receiving proper medical are and chances to attend school and even uni
• more resources and urban facilities: people are able to receive more leisure services, hygiene/household services such as water and electricity
• protection from conflict

Question 6

What are the four zones of the Burgess model used for British cities?

Answer 6

• CBD (central business district)
• inner city
• suburbs
• rural urban fringe

Question 7

What is the CBD?

Answer 7

• oldest part of the city
• high order shopping
• commerce
• high building density
• busy
• high land values
• accessible

Question 8

What is the inner city?

Answer 8

• located next to the historical core
• area of old housing and industry, often suffering from urban decay
• terraced housing, built for the factor workers. small houses in streets arranged in a grid like pattern
• little open space
• old and sometimes abandoned factories and warehouses
• derelict land
• some area may have experienced redevelopment

Question 9

What are the suburbs?

Answer 9

• the largest areas of most cities
• predominantly residential
• semi-detached, detached houses, housing estates with gardens and garages
• more open space
• popular for families

Question 10

What is the rural urban fringe?

Answer 10

• on the edge of the city
• land is under pressure from urban sprawl
• may find big retail parks here
• recreational activités such as stab;es and golf courses found here

Question 11

What are the problems of traffic in urban areas?

Answer 11

• the city centre is the most congested part of any city.
• there needs to be a lot of transport as the centre has fewer permanent residents, but many attractions
• ‘grid-locked’ traffic (stopping and starting) causes more air pollution than normal. deep narrow streets mean pollutants are trapped there, so poor air quality, leading to health problems.
• city centres have less space, so parking could be a problem.
• in a global scale, burning fossil fuels contribute to global pollution

Question 12

What are some urban issues that cities in richer countries have?

Answer 12

• shortage of good quality housing
• run down CBDs
• traffic and pollution
• ethnic segregation

Question 13

What are some efforts made to revitalise CBDs?

Answer 13

• pedestrianising areas: making it safer and nicer
• improving access with better transport links and better parking
• converting derelict warehouses and docks into new shops
• improving public areas: more parks etc

Question 14

How to make sure everyone has equal access to services?

Answer 14

• make sure everyone can access information about different services. e.g leaflets in different languages
• improving communication between all parts of the community e.g. involve leaders of different ethnic communities
• provide interpreters
• suitable services for different cultures. doctor genders etc

Question 15

What is the informal sector?

Answer 15

• jobs that aren’t taxed or monitored by the government

- often work long hours for little pay

Question 16

What is sustainability?

Answer 16

• sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question 17

What are the ways to make living in the UK more sustainable?

Answer 17

Reuse, recycle and reduce waste and water:

• reduce amount of waste to meet UK landfill Directive target.
• reuse bottles, plastic bags more than once
• collect and recycle water

Use brownfield sites for new development:

• improves appearance
• reduces loss of greenfield sites in the countryside
• uses waste land and empty spaces which helps the UK government target of 60% of all new developments but on brownfield sites

Conserve historic environment:

• enhance use of historical buildings to appeal to visitors
• once they are gone, they are lost forever
• repair and renovate

Involve communities in local decision making:

• foster growth of community spirit
• put people first: e.g. Aston pride
• consult local people instead of imposing plans
• improves quality of life for locals

Improve public transport systems:

• provide cycle storage and safe cycle routes
• use more environmentally friendly vehicles
• link bus, tram, rail routes

Provide more open spaces and greenery:

• may reduce urban sprawl in the outer suburbs
• can be used for recreational purposes
• canals in cities can be rebranded and used a leisure facilities