Contemporary Urban Environments CASE STUDIES Flashcards

1
Q

What are 3 Urban Policies and Regeneration in Britain since 1979

A
  1. Property-led Initiatives & Entreprenuerial Culture (1979-1991)
  2. Partnership Schemes & Competition-led Policy (1991-7)
  3. Area-Based Initiatives (1997-2000s)
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2
Q

What is an example of Property-led initiatives & Entreprenuerial Culture in 1979-1991 Britain?

A

London Docklands Development Corporation.
+ Attracted £12 billion in new investment.
+ Created 190,000 jobs nationally.
+ Improved urban derelict environment.
- Locals did not benefit from housing and jobs.
Did not tackle social issues, as locals not involved in decision-making and were driven out by higher prices.

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3
Q

What is an example of Partnership Schemes & Competition-led Policy in 1991-7 Britain?

A

Hulme City Challenge Partnership, Manchester.
+ Improved 40,000 homes.
+ Created 53,000 jobs.
+ Reclaimed 2000 ha of derelict land.
+ Equal importance to buildings, people and values as local councils able to bid.
- Resources usually too small for area so thinly spread.
Areas that received government funding from previous schemes lost funding if urban decline insufficient.
- Money lost by local authorites who prepared bids but did not win.

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4
Q

What is an example of an Area-Based Initiative in 1997-2000s Britain?

A

New Deal for Communities had 10-year programmed to improve 39 most deprived neighbourhoods e.g. Devonport Regeneration Company, Plymouth.
+ Improvements seen in 32 of 36 UDI.
+ Gaps between local and national authorities narrowed.
- Positive change for place rather than people as education and worklessness faced little change compared to other factors.

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5
Q

What is the Case Study for Spatial patterns of land use, Economic Inequality, Social Segregation and Cultural diversity in contrasting urban areas?

A
  • **London, UK
  • Mumbai, India**
  • Manchester, UK
  • Detroit, USA
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6
Q

How was economic inequality illustrated in London? Is it spatially?

A

Incomes in London are known to be the most unequal than any other region in the UK. Top tenth earn 4.5 times more than the bottom tenth. Spatially, billionaires are in close proximity to people earning below minimum wage. Not many spatial patterns are high-price housing mixed/next to social housing.

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7
Q

How is economic inequality illustrated in Mumbai? Is it spatially?

A

Spatially: poorest live in squatter settlements known as ‘slums’ e.g. Dharavi slum in central Mumbai.
Billionaires live in luxury apartments worth 300 years of working on the average Indian salary meanwhile 1 million people live in 1 square mile sharing latrines between 500 and in unsuitable, unhygienic environment.

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8
Q

How was social segregation and cultural diversity illustrated within Manchester, UK? Is it spatially?

A

+ 1980-90s some schools were half Jewish and half Asian, children mixed well, no racial or religious conflicts even in pubs or nightclubs.
- In 2001 May, Oldham town experienced riots which injured 86 police officers, clashes between White and Asian youths lead to widespread damage to properties and businesses.
- Government reports concluded the racist far right stirred up tension meanwhile a leading politician argued Asians had chosen to live apart from the community.
Spatially: You can see clusters of ethnic groups in Manchester but minimally.

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9
Q

What counter-arguements have been given to Manchester’s 2001 riots?

A
  • Academixs argued that towns like Oldham and Burnley were more ethnically mixed than suggested and were not self-segregated.
  • A 2009 poll found the Muslim community more likely to identify with Britain than other populations and were in favour of mixed ethnic communities.
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10
Q

What was a key issue that lead to social segregation and riots in Manchester, UK?

A

Deprivation in towns like Oldham and Burnley (some of the poorest wards in UK) caused tensions over poor-quality housing and youth unemployment. Recent terrorist events also increased hate crime in UK. Lack of spatial evidence.

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11
Q

How is social segregation and cultural diversity illustrated in Detroit, USA? Is it spatially?

A

Spatially: Racist policies to seperate Black and White American neighbourhoods took shape in a nearly 1km wall built in 1941 along Eight Mile Road. The wall still remains.
- In 1940-50s black families were charged higher rents or banned from living in certain neighbourhoods. Even at work white and black workers were segregated. Authorities undertook urban renewal initiatives causing some black families to move to previosuly white neighbourhoods, causing tensions resulting in riots in 1967.
- Presently, Detroit remains the most racially unequal metropolis in USA. Due to deindustrialisation in 1980-90s where many car companies went out of business. White workers moved out of the city for a better quality of life and employment but black families were prevented from moving. They were forced to stay in declining inner city, with a shrinking job base and increase in poverty & crime.

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12
Q

What were key issues which lead to social segregation and riots in Detroit, USA?

A
  • Spatially segregating neighbourhoods of different races.
  • Suburbanisation of White Americans and preventing Black Americans from doing the same.
  • Deindustrialisation of Detroit lead to inner-city decline.
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13
Q

What is an example of a cultural and heritage quarter?

A

Sheffield’s Cultural & Heritage Quarter with a ‘Waterfall of Steel’ statue.

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14
Q

What is an example of a fortress development?

A

Fortress LA
Gated communities with LAPD surviellance towers created due to paranoia & fear of gangs, minorites and homelessness.

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15
Q

What is an example of a gentrified area?

A

Liverpool City, 2013 sold 20 derelict homes for £1 with ~1000 applicants per home. To avoid abuse of scheme, buyers had to prove they could renovate homes to suitable standard and live in property for 5+ years.

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16
Q

What is an example of an edge city?

A

DUMBO, New York
In Brooklyn’s Tech Triangle and centre for digital + creative industries in NYC. Renovated warehouses into luxury residences with public waterfront parks, .useum and rooftop park with view of Manhattan skyline.

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17
Q

What is an example and festures of post-modern western cities?

A

Concept based on LA, results in changes in late 1900s in Western society & culture illustrated through mixing of art and architecture. Greater ethnic diversity, varied architecture (London) and flagship developments e.g. Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.

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18
Q

What is the main Case Study for tackling urban pollution?

A

Beijing, China

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19
Q

What was the issue of air pollution in Beijing, China?

A

Instances of smog reaching up to 1000ppm happened often.Global Times newspaper criticised government for not releasing environmental data e.g. estimates of 886ppm too low. This occurred due to their topography, traffic congestion and regular wood & coal burning from residents and economic activity.

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20
Q

How did Beijing, China tackle their urban air pollution?

A

Spent $76 billion on improving air quality through monitoring, implementinh strict emission controls on coal power plants, expanding public transport and phasing out older, more polluting vehicles.
PPM fell by 60% in 10yrs but still remain 6 times above WHO guidelines. “Good air days” went from 13 (2013) to 300+ in 2023.

21
Q

What is the UK’s strategy for tackling urban air pollution?

A

London Clean Air Act 1945
1956 = implemented smoke-free zones in UK urban areas.
1990s = Strict regulations on PM10 levels entering atmosphere. Local councils required to monitor levels and establish Air Quality Management with some councils urban greening to reduce PM10s.

22
Q

What is the example of a river restoration and conservation project?

A

Cheonggyecheon River Restoration Project 2003

23
Q

What were the reasons for the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration?

A
  • Cultural shift in population to prioritise quality of life, sustainablity of ecosystems and social responsibility.
  • Over 100,000 small businesses had disintegrating buildings, polluted areas with no green space.
  • 2nd World War and Korean War prevented maintenance work. 1960s squatter settlements established.
24
Q

What were the aims of the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration?

A
  • Improve connectivity of north-south divide.
  • Fix congestion and overcrowdedness along 5.8km stream. (One of most densely populated cities MEGACITY)
    -Repair elevated freeway and concrete deck which posed safety risk.
25
What were the attitudes and contributions of different stakeholders in the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration?
- Project was part of Lee Myung Bak's (former South Korean president) successful bid to bevlcome Seoul's mayor in 2001. - Local businesses saw project as threat or interruption to livelihoods so to counteract local authorities made parking free or reduced price, grants for businesses to promote or special arrangements made for those who had to relocate.
26
What activities took place under the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration?
- 22 bridges built = 12 pedestrian/10 car & pedestrian. - Hananag River pumped to area for consistent flow and treated water to prevent pollution. SPLIT INTO 3 ZONES: 1. Central historic zone incorporates earlier bridges as decoration with plenty seating and landscaped banks. 2. Middle zone made of eco-friendly materials consists of recreation areas, fountains, waterfalls, waterfront decks etc. 3. Next to Hanang River is a wetlands conservation area, overgrown & widened stream and overpass/piers left behind as industrial memento.
27
What were advanatges of the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration?
+ Became tourist attraction with 18.1 million visitors in 2008. Museum gives permanent and temporary exhibitions. + Number of businesses rose here compared to decreasing trends in other districts. + Removal of cars lowered temps by 2.5°C. + Urban wildlife haven reestablished wildlife and habitats and ecology is embedded in schools.
28
What were disadvantages of the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration?
- Property prices rose at double the rates elsewhere in the city. -Area fell behind rest of Seoul in economic viability. Non-inclusive design led to 2005 Sept. protests for elderly, visually-impaired or wheelchair users. 7 lifts were installed for wheelchair users but uneven surfaces, dimly lit and congested corridors remain.
29
What is the Case Study for comparing incineration and landfill approaches to waste disposal?
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
30
Why was landfill discouraged in Amsterdam?
Greater waste generation by dense population, lack of space and environmental awareness meant Dutch government implemented 'Lansink's Ladder' into legislation 1994. 1995 landfill tax to encourage companies to look for other methods, increased every year until 2012 then was repealed due to low levels of landfill disposal. Landfill ban covered 35 waste categories. Amount of waste decreased significantly and met targets of Landfill Directive 2016 10 years early.
31
What is Amsterdam's Incineration approach to waste?
Waste-to-energy (W2E) approach in Afval Energie Bedrijf (AEB) incineration plant producing 1 million MWh of electricity and 300,000 GJ of heat anually. 64% of 1.4 million tons of waste is recycled and plant has installed complex process of scrubbing flue gases. It supplies energy and heat for nextdoor Waternet Treatment plant with sludge and biogas serving as another fuel source. Avoids 438 kilotons of CO2 emissions per year.
32
How does incineration compare to landfill as methods of waste disposal in Amsterdam?
If the 1.4 million tons of waste put into landfill, it would generate 1036 kilotons of CO2 emissions per year (more) and even with burning or capturing gases it would produce more than incineration. Incineration is economically and environmentally better than landfills, though Dutch government has set target to reduce incineration by 50% and focuses on reducing waste rather than disposing it like most sustainable cities.
33
What are your case studies for atmospheric pollution, water pollution and dereliction in contrasting urban areas?
* Atmospheric Pollution: London & Beijing * Water Pollution: London & Mumbai * Dereliction: London & Detroit ## Footnote See previous flashcards for Beijing and Detroit.
34
How does London suffer from atmospheric pollution and how is it managed?
Historically London had issues with smog during the Industrial Revolution. 1956 introduced smoke-free zones and 1990s had tough regulations on local councils monitoring PM10 levels. Urban greening and ULEZ. 2010 still saw 9400 Londoners die from exposure to NO2 and PM2.5.
35
How does London suffer from water pollution and how is it managed?
Historically, the River Thames was heavily polluted by human and industrial waste until 'Great Stink' of 1858 prompted Bazalgette's interceptor sewers. Victorian sewer system outdated to larger population and still releases raw sewage during heavy rain e.g. 2013 saw 55 million tonnes. Nowadays, Thames Water monitors and ensures cleanliness of water in London. Possible pollution may be in brownfield, previously industrial areas such as Stratford's pre-2012 River Lea.
36
How does London suffer from dereliction?
Derelict London website contains 3000+ photographs of derelict buildings still existing in London. But have been reduced due to regeneration projects e.g. Stratford Regeneration Project for 2012 Olympics. Also urban policies such as New Deal for Communities saw improvements in 32 of 36 UDI measures.
37
How does Mumbai suffer from water pollution and how is it managed?
Central Pollution Control Board found over half of India's rivers are contaminated from domestic sewage due to incomplete sewage systems. Doctors deal with 4000 cases of typhoid and dipthera daily from children playing amongst sewage. Lack of action in Dharavi apart from Dharavi Redevlopment Project which is constantly delayed. Prime Minister has made cleaning Ganges River, holy to Hindus, a key policy and the city of Ahmedabad has started paying children to use public toilets to minimise public defecation.
38
What are your contrasting urban areas for... * Patterns of Economic & Social Wellbeing * Nature & Impact of Physical Environmental Conditions * Environmental Sustainability * Character of Area * Experiences & Attitudes of Population
London and Mumbai
39
Summarise London's Economic & Social Wellbeing
Extensive economic inequality and differences in housing, education quality, health or lifestyles. LFC reported for every £1 owned by bottom 10%, £172 owned by top 10%.
40
Summarise London's Nature & Impact of Physical Environmental Conditions
* See previous flashcards for air pollution. * UHI warmed Central london by 10%. * LCCP declared consumption of energy for cooling purposes is 'unsustainable'. * Climate Change estimated to rise risk of flooding by 15% which the 2100 Thames Estuary Project is aiming to address this.
41
Summarise London's environmental sustainability
2002 established London Sustainable Development Commission and 2016 world's 1st National Park City. ULEZ, integrated transport and cycle hire schemes (increased cycling by 173% since 2001) decreased air pollution.
42
Summarise London's Character
* Capital and most populous - 8.9 million estimated to rise to 11 million by 2050. * Global financial centre. * Most culturally diverse in UK, 300+ languages spoken. * One of most visited cities in world for business, tourism, education, culture etc.
43
Summarise experiences & attitudes of London's population
Multiculturalism more prevalent here than in UK - lowest proportion of White British which is 40%. Generally welcoming to migrants with few hostile instances to minority groups. Pupils in London do better here than rest of England and despite inequality in schooling, poorest London schools saw greatest improvements made to them: Newham's Every Child programme provides universal school meals and ability to learn an instrument for free.
44
Summarise Mumbai's economic & social wellbeing
Rural-urban migration caused population to double since 1991. Extensive economic inequality with 60% population living in slums. See previous flashcards.
45
Summarise Mumbai's nature & impact of physical environmental conditions
IPCC estimates Mumbai to be 2nd most at-risk city in world due to climate change. Tropical climate and monsoon season June-Sept. 2005 saw 944mm rainfall in one day causing devastating floods killing 400, destroying 10,000 homes and costing $1.2 billion. Urban growth to blame and GMDMAP aims to address this (unsuccessfully so far).
46
Summarise Mumbai's environmental sustainability
Lack thereof. * 700,000 cars on congested roads. * Lacks open space = 0.03 acres per 1000 people compared to London's 12 acres. * NO2 levels 3x above WHO limits. * Discards 11,000 metric tonnes of waste and government has no recycling scheme but informal recycling plants recover 90% (one of highest in world).
47
Summarise Mumbai's character
West Coast of India and capital of Maharashtra state. Megacity with highest population density in world - 24+ million people. Diverse population with 16 of India's major languages spoken here. Largest single contributor to India's GDP.
48
Summarise experiences & attitudes of Mumbai's population
Poor quality of life for slum dwellers - housing, employment, water, electricty, hygiene etc. Dharavi Redevlopment Project aimed to improve this by providing 300 sq foot house for verified residents, commercial and green space. But difficult to verify residence and concerns for community & businesses being displaced.