EQ1 Flashcards
evaluate the reason why urban population structure varies rural continunm (20)
Population structure is the make up or composition of the population and varies due to international and internal migration, the placement in the rural to urban continnuum and are also a result of varying fertility and mortality rates and how accessible the area is. Rural-urban continuum refers to the idea that rural and urban areas are no longer two distinct, different places but are merging
One reason population structure varies in the rural-urban continuum is how accessible the area is. For example, area s in the inner city such as Newham in London, have a population structure witha large foregin-born population and large- working -age population of 21-40. This demographic has a fertillity rate, making Newham the fastest growing area in the UK. Accessibility has created this population structure because Newham is very close to cultural and economic areas of London, encouraging migrants to settle in these areas. This varies other areas as Newham in particular has lots of publid transport i.e. the tube and is situated in a key area. This is significant because migrants that move into London tend to be young people professionals looking for work, this demographic are more likely ti have children, which drives the aged the age down and the foregin-born population up.
Moreover, International and internal migration also has a significant impact on the population structure in different places due to the impact on fertility rates. Urban areas tend to have higher levels of internal migration and high inward and outward migration meaning their population structure is likely to be younger than in rural areas, they will able to access better opportunities and quality of life whereas rural areas tend to have lower levels of international migration due to a number of factors such as discrimination meaning that rural areas in the UK tend to be less ethnically diverse and older. Often urban areas with higher rates of international migration have a younger population as many migrants come to urban areas and key cities for economic opportunity such as heavy international migration in Newham. There is also likely to be a higher population number as younger populations tend to have larger average family compared to an ageing population in the UK the current family size is around 1.7 compared to 1900 where the number was 4.6 children. However, it is hard to generalise rurall areas as there are a number of other factors which affect population structure including the nature of the physical environment.
furthermore, rural areas are often more sparsely populated when compared to urban areas in the Uk and therefore urban areas often have a higher rate of population growth. this is because of the high proportion of young adults which causes the fertility rate to increase, moreover services such as healthcare services often have better availability which can lead to a decrease in mortality rate. on the other hand, rural areas often have a less stressful and slower pace of life which can also contribute to a lower mortality rate and therefore population growth, however due to a lack of services and a high proportion of older people, the mortality rate is often higher than in urban areas. moreover, rural areas often have a lower fertility rate because of the older population which remains relatively untouched by international immigration for example, commuter villages by London like Sevenoaks often have a higher incidence of economically active adults and younger families whereas remote rural villages have a high proportion of elderly with a low proportion of children such as in north Yorkshire and in Scotland. however, because of covid, it is high likely that people’s attitudes towards urban areas will change resulting in internal migration to rural areas and causing a more even age structure.
Overall, rural areas such as Scotland, their urban population structure will vary to an urban area like Newham due to its population density and how accessible the area is for people to move their and international migrants. International migration and internal migration have changed the population structure massively because of migrants who are seeking better opportunities and have greater quality of life. Other factors like accessibility, made the growth of the population increase massively, this is because transport links has made it easier for commuters to get on public transport to the CBD, reducing travel time.
evaluate the factors which lead to cultural diversity (20)
Cultural diversity is the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a city or society. Factors like social clustering, accessiblility to key cities, physical factors and government decisions on Immigration in the UK have led to cultural diversity in places. Social clustering and accessibilty to key cites are more significant than physical factors and government decisions as it allowed communities with the similar background and culture to feel intergrated and more connected.
One factor which leads to cultural diversity is social clustering into ethnic enclaves. For example, the areas surrounding Brick Lane in East London is nicknamed ‘Banglatown’ as 34% of its population is Bangladeshi. This leads to cultural diversity because immigrants are more likely to move areas which already have a high percentage of immigrants move into an area the services provided by the government, culture and businesses will adapt to suit the new demographic. This makes the area more attractive to immigrants this is known as social clustering. This is signifcant because if an area has social clustering of cultural diversity, it will encourage more immigrants to join, higher household and family due to the increase in fertillity rates, therefore rapidly increasing the cultural diversity in the area. Within ethnic enclaves, community faciliates offer some protection aganist racism from the outside and they help maintain a shared identity and culture.
Another factor which leads to cultural diversity is accessibity to key cities and physical factors. For example, areas in the inner city such as Newham is easily accessible for both work and leisure activites. As Newham is 10mins away from the CBD, therefore reducing travel time as it quick and easy to get to central London. This leads to cultural diversity because 55% of Newham’s population are foregin-born and is very densely populated as it tends to be young students and graduates who migrant to the UK. As immigrant are more likely to move to areas where there is a good transport links for example the tube and buses and it has a large working population of 21-40. This demographic has a high ferility rates, making Newham the fastest growing area in the UK. This makes Newham more attractive to immigrants as it is very close to cultural and economic areas of London. This is significant because many migrants tend to young professional who are looking for work, therefore this demographic are more likely to have children which drives the foregin-born population up, therefore rapidly increasing cultural diversity in an area.
finally, Another factor which leads to reduced cultural diversity is government decisions on reducing immigration in the UK. Since 1995, the number of overseas-born people living in the UK has increased, the main reason is the UK’s EU membership as well as the expansion of EU in 2016. This is because the rural economy depends on EU migrants for many jobs and many migrate seasonally. For example, the Schengen agreement allows the movement of passport-free EU citizens across continential Europe. This leads to cultural diversity because most migrants are working- age adults aged 21-35, So this demographic will increase the government’s tax revenue and long-term immigrants will have famillies which increases the UK’s birth and ferillty rates. This is significant as the population will be economicaly active as young professionals are working.
Overall, Social Clustering, accessibilty, physical factors and immigration have led to cultural diversity, the most significant factor is social clustering which has enabled similar cultures and communities to interlink and come together as one to protect themselves.
evaluate the connections which have shaped the characteristics of one place you have studied (20)
trade connections, Globalisation and migrants have shaped the characteristics of West Yorkshire. Migrant connections have had significant impact on the characteristics of West Yorkshire than trade and Globalisation although both connections have equally shaped the characteristics of West Yorkshire.
One connection which has shaped West Yorkshire is trade connections. For example, West Yorkshire developed into a major mill area, meaning the wool was the dominant industry. Leeds is still the UK’s third largest manufacturing centre with around 1,800 firms and 39,000 employees. This has shaped the characteristics of West Yorkshire because there was a strong sense of community and locality in West Yorkshire towns each town even produced different textile products from its neighbours. Morley had over 30mills and their related communities lived and worked closely together. Therefore the employment rate is higher as more people are joining and earning money. This is significant because some childrens might start to work in the same place as one of their parents, sons with father, daughters with mothers therefore creating as sense of community and young people can continue to live locally.
Another connection which has shaped West Yorkshire is Globalisation and deindustrialisation. Globalisation has driven traditional communities apart. For example, the impact of globalisation by the 1980s, Morley’s textile mills had all closed . Without them, younger people were forced to move away causing demographic change . this has shaped the characteristics of West Yorkshire because most of morley’s population now works outside the town due to the old textile mills now being replaced by new industrial estates on the outskirts which is an easy commute to Leeds and Bradford, therefore unemployment rate is lower than the UK average. This is significant because now several textiles mills were owned by TNC clothing chains and close more mills as the clothing produced there was more expensive than produced overseas.
finally, another connection which has shaped West Yorkshire is migrant connections. For example, Between 2011 and 2021, the population of Leeds grew by 60,500 people. This has shapedd the chararcteristics of West Yorshire because national migration has contributed to population growths in Leeds. New housing estates have had to built on the outskirts of the city in areas such as alwoodley and horsforth, therefore this leads to urban sprawl and loss indiviual character. This is significant because Leeds is culturally diverse with more than 140 ethnic groups. The minority population represents 15% of the total population of leeds and that 35% of Dewsbury population is mainly Pakistani Muslims therefore bringing a close sense of community is helped by the mosque and close family ties.
Overall, trade connections, globalisation, and migrantss have contributed to the shape of West Yorkshire. Especially migrants connection which has significantly impacted West Yorkshire as it has brought demographic and cultural change to West Yorkshire. Trade connections have impacted the shape of West Yorkshire as business that was there has moved away therefore unemployment rate increases.
