Human, M2: Urban Geography Flashcards
What are landuses in the CBD?
-Many shops (e.g. Buchanan Galleries) as it is central and accessible which is good for business. High end designer shops (e.g Armani) also locate in the CBD as it has a fashionable image.
-Many offices (e.g Blythswood square) because it is accessible for workers and customers, but also because the CBD has a good image of prestige for the company.
-Main train(Central) and bus stations (Buchanan) are in the CBD as many people travel there to work and shop etc so most journeys converge here.
-Many historic building found there as it is the oldest part of the city (e.g. Glasgow Cathedral). These attract tourists to the area.
-Many hotels (e.g Hilton) as there are many tourist attractions and many tourists. Also tourist information centre in George Square.
-Cinemas and theatres (e.g. Cineworld). This is also because the CBD is accessible, good for business and has a fashionable image.
Recent changes to Glasgow’s CBD
-Some shops have closed down (e.g Debenhams) because they have lost a lot of business due to competition from out of town shopping and internet sites (e.g. ASOS)
-Large shopping malls being expanded and renovated (e.g Buchanan Galleries) was part funded by the council to attract customers back to the CBD and create jobs/boost the economy.
-Streets have been pedestrianised (e.g Buchanan Street) to reduce traffic and pollution. Also to make it safer and more pleasant to encourage more shoppers.
-Renovation of old buildings (e.g City Chambers) to attract tourists and business to the area.
-Many new hotels built (e.g. Hilton) as there is increased demand for hotels due to growth in tourism.
-More designer shops (Armani) as people now have more disposable income to spend on clothing than in the past.
What are key things to look for when identifying the CBD on maps?
-Many roads meet there.
-Town hall and historic buildings (e.g. castle)
-tourist information and many tourist attractions (e.g. museum)
-main train station
-bus stations
-many churches and often a cathedral
-many bridges crossing a river.
What are key landuses in the Inner City?
-Housing (many old Victorian Tenements e.g. Partick) which were built in the 1800’s near old factories e.g. the Clyde shipyards. They were built near the factories as people walked to their work.
-Housing (new modern luxury flats e.g. Glasgow Harbour) which have been built recently as the are has become very fashionable.
-Old industries (e.g. shipbuilding) which grew beside the river clyde for transport in the 1800’s
-New tourist and leisure developments (e.g The Hydro) which have been build to attract business and jobs the the area.
What are problems experienced after World War 2 in the inner city which are types of urban decay?
-Overcrowded Victorian tenements had become run down slums
-high rise flats build in the 1960s were poorly built and also run down
-many old industries closing down
-high unemployment, poverty and crime
-derelict/ contaminated land from old factories
-population declines as many people move away from the area for a better life.
Examples are areas which were affected by this are Govan and Springburn.
Inner city changes
Housing
-old tenements(slums) renovated in areas like Govan to improve social housing for local people
-New luxury private penthouse flats were built (e.g. Glasgow Harbour) to attract wealthy young people to the area and because the area has become very fashionable.
Industry
-Old ship yards close down due to competition from abroad, causing unemployment.
Tourism
-new tourist developments (e.g the science centre) to attract visitors, create jobs and boost the economy.
-new hotels built (radisson red) due to growth in tourism as the area is regenerated.
Transport
-Building the squinty bridge to reduce congestion on the M8.
Suburbs Key land uses
-Modern housing as the land is cheaper and there is plenty of open space for building. There is also a high quality pleasant environment where people like to live.
-leisure facilities like country parks and golf courses as there in more open space and greenery.
-there is some new out of town shopping near to motorways as this is accessible, the land is cheaper, there is less congestion and more room to expand.
-there is some new modern industrial estates and business parks near to motorways as they are accessible, the land is cheaper, there is less congestion and more room to expand.
Examples of Suburb areas are Newton Mearns and Giffnock.
What are things to look for when identifying the inner city on maps?
-location close to the CBD
-tightly packed roads in a grid pattern which is poorly planned.
-very little open space or greenery
-very few services such as schools, sports centres etc
-main roads running straight through housing areas
-likely to be old terraced housing areas
-likely to be dirty polluted area with busy traffic
What are things to look for on maps to identify the suburbs?
-Carefully planned road layouts with winding roads, crescents and cul de sacs
-Lots of open space and greenery
-Many local services like schools and sports centres
-housing estates separate from main roads
-likely to be large detached and semi detached houses with gardens
-cleaner less polluted area with less traffic
What are reasons businesses want to build on the green belt?
-cheap land with lots of open space for building and car parks
-easy accessible- less traffic congestion and easier links to motorways than in the city
-very pleasant environment which is good for attracting investment/ customers for business
What are examples of developments in Glasgow’s greenbelt
-New industrial estates/ business parks e.g. Robroyston
-New housing estates e.g Newton Mearns
-Out of town shopping centres e.g. Glasgow Fort
-Leisure facilities e.g. Virgin Active Milngavie
-New motorways e.g. M8
-Landfill sites (rubbish dumps)
What are the impacts of building on the greenbelt?
A lot of environmental damage has been caused:
-Visual pollution i.e. scenic landscape destroyed.
-Wildlife habitats destroyed e.g trees and hedges
-Valuable farmland destroyed as cities are usually surrounded by fertile land
-popular recreational areas lost e.g footpaths and golf courses
-more traffic causing air and noise pollution
-economic damage to CBD as there is a decline in shopping and business as money goes to edge of city developments instead.
What is the impacts of out of town shopping?
Advantages
-easier access for shoppers, workers and deliveries near motorways, less congestion
-plenty of free parking
-better shopping environment: indoor sheltered malls with larger shops
-lower rent costs for shops which means cheaper prices
-many jobs created for local people
disadvantages
-countryside (scenery, wild life and farmland) destroyed
-pollution from cars
-poorer people with no cars cannot get there easily
-shops in CBD close down due to competition
-CBD becomes run down
What are the causes of traffic congestion in the CBD?
-All the main roads meet here creating a bottleneck effect
-Many people travel here to work/ shop
-Most journeys are at the same time of day
-old narrow roads unsuitable for traffic
-roadworks on old victorian roads
-Poor public transport
What are solutions to congestion in Glasgow?
Approach 1: Improving the existing roads
To improve traffic flow
-one way streets e.g Hope street
-Computer controlled traffic lights e.g. Hope street
Approach 2: Build new roads
To ease traffic on existing roads
-M8 motorway
-M74 extension
Approach 3: Improve public transport
To encourage people to leave their cars at home
-new buses and trains around city
-modernisation of underground
-modernisation of train/bus stations e.g. Buchanan Bus station
-Digital information boards at bus stops.
Approach 4: Discourage car use
-pedestrianise streets e.g Buchanan Street
-increase parking costs and employ more traffic wardens
-bus and cycle only streets e.g. Hope Street
