G4 Potential Questions and Answers

Question 1

Describe and explain reasons for city growth? (8)

Answer 1

• Central urban areas have high property prices + family life cycle model
• LA - lack of planning leading to sprawl - freeways and improved infrastructure makes cities more accessible, encouraging skirt growth
• Social attitudes - perceptions (fig.4) influencing people to move
• Better employment opportunities- London controls 22% of GDP. Forced rural-urban migration - Shenzhen - cutting of rural support = attraction to special economic zones
• FDI into shenzhen
• growing divorce rates - 2 properties desire
• second homes
• ageing population - DTM
• Room for expansion for companies - Avia

Question 2

Challenges associated with city growth?

Answer 2

Classic social, economic, environmental
Social - house price rise (cambridge), crime (Karachi, 82 on Crime index), inequality (Gini index - Sierra Leone 0.63), traffic (Jakarta - poor public transport - 17.1 million cars, gridlock), informal settlements (25-50% according to UN), access to water (New York, Mumbai)
Economic - losses from gridlock in Jakarta (rp 12.8 trillion), uneconomical housing, water demands - Chennai - 6000 truckloads of water
- Environmental - smog - China - 51.3% of 2013 unhealthy air conditions
waste disposal - Bejing - 18400 tonnes of waste
Loss of culture
Agricultural loses - Pearl River Delta
Encroachment of green belts
Greenfield developments

Question 3

How do cities accommodate city growth/ expansion of areal extent?

Answer 3

• Greenfield developments
• road networks (a47 bypass)
• China - ghost cities - Chenggong - 100,000 apartments empty ready to accommodate for overspill
• New Towns = Northstowe with rapid bus services

Question 4

Explain how technology can help/ hinder food production

Answer 4

Help
- Fig 16 - GM
- Irrigation means food in Murray Darling can be grown without the threat of dying through the half-drip system
- Growing under plastic speeds up growth by affecting heat - prevents freezing
- Green revolution 1960s - IR8 rice crop
- Plant research (fig 18) looks into improving crop growth - second green rev.
Hinder
- Fertilisers can increase weeds
- eutrophication
- Pesticides can encourage resistant weeds
- Technology is expensive - peasant farmers cannot afford

Question 5

How do physical factors impact on food production?

Answer 5

Climate
- Fig 20 - areas can produce food at different times
- Foodstuffs needing lots of rain require climates like India
- Potatoes and wheat can be grown in the UK
- Areas which are constantly hot can cultivate Haricot beans - Africa
- Fruits such as bananas need a stable climate
Relief/ Geology