Key Terms - Changing Urban Environments Flashcards
1
Q
Homogenisation (def)
A
The process of people, products and places becoming the same (in this case city landscapes which have become indistinct from one another).
2
Q
Megacity (def)
A
A city or urban agglomeration with a population of more than 10 million people.
3
Q
Metacity (def)
A
A conurbation with more than 20 million people.
4
Q
Million city (def)
A
A city with a population of more than 1 million.
5
Q
Natural increase (def)
A
The birth rate - death rate per 1000 per year being positive.
6
Q
Pull factor (def)
A
Positive reasons why people are attracted to an area.
7
Q
Push factor (def)
A
Negative reasons why people move away from an area.
8
Q
Rural-urban migration (def)
A
The movement of people from rural to urban areas.
9
Q
Under-employment (def)
A
When a person is not doing work that makes full use of their skills and abilities. May occur when a migrant moves to anew city.
10
Q
Urban growth (def)
A
An increase in the number of urban dwellers.
11
Q
Urbanisation and causes (def)
A
An increase in the proportion of a country’s population living in towns and cities. Caused by natural population growth and rural to urban migration.
12
Q
Urban sprawl (def)
A
The spread of an urban area into the surrounding countryside.
13
Q
Green belt (def)
A
An area of land usually surrounding an urban area, where development is restricted. Prevents urban sprawl.
14
Q
Greenfield site (def)
A
An area which has not previously been built on - often in the rural urban fringe.
15
Q
Ribbon development (def)
A
Urban growth and the expansion of suburbs, along routes into the CBD.
16
Q
Suburbanisation (def)
A
Movement of people living in inner parts of the city to the outskirts. Facilitated by development of transport networks and increased car ownership.
17
Q
Urban sprawl (def)
A
The spread of an urban area into the surrounding countryside. This happens if there are no planning controls.
18
Q
Counter-urbanisation (def)
A
The movement of people from larger urban areas into smaller urban areas or rural areas, leapfrogging the rural urban fringe.
19
Q
Rural urban fringe (def)
A
The area beyond the built up area of the town/city.
20
Q
Suburbanised village (def)
A
A village within commuting distance of an urban place which receives newcomers due to counter-urbanisation. Shares suburban characteristics.
21
Q
‘Dead-heart’ syndrome (def)
A
The result of loss of manufacturing and retail from the ‘downtown’ areas of cities, which leaves a ‘dead heart’.
22
Q
Deindustrialisation (def)
A
The loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which occurred in the UK in the second half of the 20th century.
23
Q
Gentrification (def)
A
The process by which wealthy individuals or groups of individuals buy and renovate properties in run down areas.
24
Q
Urban resurgence (def)
A
The economic and structural regeneration of urban area previously suffering from urban decline. Initiated by redevelopment schemes.
25
World city (def)
An urban area that has influence over the whole world, acting as global centres for finance, trade, business, politics and culture.
26
Decentralisation (def)
The movement of population and industry from the urban centre to outlying areas. May involve processes of suburbanisation and counter-urbanisation.
27
De-multiplier effect (def)
Opposite to the multiplier effect, where a withdrawal of income and investment leads to the closure of activity such as a factory. The loss of jobs means less money is spent in the economy, causing further job losses.
28
Quaternary sector (def)
The sector of the economy where knowledge or ideas are the main output, such as advertising, computer programming and software design.
29
Service/tertiary sector (def)
The sector of the economy providing services, such as in retail.
30
Bottom up (def)
When local people are consulted and supported in making decisions to undertake projects or developments that meet specific needs.
31
Devolution (def)
The transfer of delegation of power to a local level, usually by central government to local or regional administration.
32
Top down (def)
When the decision to undertake projects or developments is made by central authority with little or no consultation with the people it affects.
33
Urban policy (def)
Strategies chosen by local or central government to manage the development of urban areas and reduce urban problems.
34
Albedo (def)
The reflectivity of a surface. The ratio between amount of incoming insolation and amount of energy reflected back to the atmosphere.
35
Anticyclonic (def)
High atmosphere pressure = fine weather. Dry, calm conditions. In summer can lead to heatwave conditions. In winter, will be cold clear and blue skies.
36
Channelling (def)
Wind directed down long, straight, canyon-like streets where there is less friction. Referred to as urban canyons.
37
Hygroscopic (nuclei) (def)
Water-attracting eg. dust in the atmosphere around which raindrops can form.
38
Insolation (def)
Incoming solar radiation.
39
Isotherm (def)
A line joining places with equal temperature (like contours joining places of equal height).
40
Microclimate (def)
The small-scale variations in temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed and evaporation that occur in a particular environment such as an urban area.
41
Particulates (def)
Microscopic matter referred to as Particulate Matter 10 (from exhausts, cement dust, tobacco smoke and ash) and Particulate Matter 2.4 (fine particulate matter).
42
Photochemical pollution (def)
A form of air pollution that occurs mainly in cities and can be dangerous to health. Exhaust fumes become trapped by temperature inversions and, in the presence of sunlight, low-level ozone forms. Associated with high pressure weather systems.
43
Temperature inversion (def)
An atmospheric condition in which temperature increases with height. As inversions are extremely stable conditions and do not allow convection, they trap pollution in the lower layer of the atmosphere.
44
Urban climate (def)
A set of climactic conditions that prevail in a large metropolitan area, which differ from the climate of the rural surroundings.
45
Urban dome (def)
The urban microclimate is sometimes called and urban dome. The area within which the weather is different from that of the surrounding rural areas.
46
Urban Heat Island/Urban Heat Island Effect (def)
The zone around and above an urban area which has higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas.
47
Bioswale rain garden (def)
A sloped retention area designed to capture and convey water while allowing it to infiltrate into the ground. They help to store and/or convey runoff and remove pollutants.
48
Catchment management (def)
A way of managing rivers and improving drainage systems by looking at the whole river catchment, and the interactions between water and land.
49
River restoration (def)
The process of managing a river to restore the river systems to a more natural state. It can reduce flood risk, decrease water pollution, create new habitats and increase biodiversity.
50
Sustainable urban drainage systems (def)
A relatively new approach to managing rainfall by using natural processes in the landscape to reduce flooding, control flooding and provide amenity for the community.
51
Swale (def)
Shallow, broad and vegetated channels designated to store and/or convey runoff and remove pollutants.
52
Energy from waste (def)
Electricity and heat produced when general waste is safely burned at high temperatures and under carefully controlled conditions.
53
Incineration (def)
Thermal treatment of waste (burning)
54
Industrialisation (def)
The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural practices to one based on the manufacture of goods.
55
Inorganic waste (def)
Material that is non-biodegradable.
56
Landfill/burial (def)
The disposal of waste material by burying it.
57
Leachates (def)
Toxic waste water containing arsenic, lead, solvents and other contaminants leached from illegal dumps and landfill.
58
Municipal solid waste (def)
Known in the UK as refuse or rubbish. Most definitions do not include industrial waste, agricultural waste, medical waste, radioactive waste or sewage sludge. Composition of MSW varies between countries and has changed over time.
59
Organic waste (def)
Material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or animal.
60
Recovery (def)
The selective extraction of disposed materials for a specific next use, such as recycling, composting or energy generation.
61
Recycling (def)
When materials from which items are made are to be reprocessed into new products.
62
Reuse (def)
The action of using something again.
63
Urbanisation (def)
An increase in the proportion of a country's population that lives in towns and cities.
64
Waste stream (def)
The complete flow of waste from its source through to recovery, recycling or disposal.
65
Air pollution (def)
Solid and/or liquid particles and gases in the atmosphere that can have a negative effect on human health and the planet as a whole.
66
Appropriate technology (def)
Technology that is suitable to the social and economic conditions of the geographic area in which it is to be applied, is environmentally sound and promotes self-sufficiency for those using it.
67
Non-point source pollution (def)
Pollution which is the result of precipitation run-off from a wide range of sources including fertilisers and pesticides from agriculture, and chemicals and toxins from urban settlements. These pollutants are difficult to regulate.
68
Remediation (def)
The removal of pollution or contaminants from watercourses which have been polluted.
69
Water-borne diseases/infections (def)
Infections/diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted in contaminated fresh water. Commonly results in infection during bathing, washing, drinking, the preparation of food or the consumption of affected food.
70
Water pollution (def)
Contamination of water bodies or sources including rivers, lakes, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. Occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water without adequate treatment to remove contaminants.
71
Brownfield site (def)
An area of previously developed land. Used in urban planning to describe land previously used for industrial or commercial purposes.
72
Deindustrialisation (def)
The absolute decline of manufacturing industries resulting in abandonment and unemployment.
73
Dereliction (def)
The state of buildings/an area having been abandoned and become dilapidated.
74
Greenfield site (def)
An area of undeveloped land.
75
Land remediation (def)
The removal of pollution or contaminants from the ground, which enables areas of derelict former industrial land to be brought back into commercial use.
76
Carbon neutral (def)
Having a net zero carbon footprint, achieved by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount offset.
77
Eco city (def)
A city that aims to provide a healthy environment for its inhabitants without using more resources than it replaces.
78
Ecological footprint (def)
A measure of the demands we place on ecosystems that support us. The amount of biologically productive land that is used to produce the resources we consume and to absorb the waste we generate.
79
Liveability (def)
A measure of how good living conditions in an area are, referring to the locations that are the best and worst living conditions globally.
80
Sustainability (def)
Urban development which meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Must consider natural, physical, social and economic sustainability.
81
Urban form (def)
The physical characteristics that make up a city, including its size and shape, population density and how the city is arranged (land use patterns).
82
Bid-rent model (def)
A graph showing land values falling with increasing distance from the PLVI resulting in different land use zones.
83
Business/science parks (def)
These tend to be found on the edge of urban areas where there is good access to main roads. Also located near universities.
84
Central business district (CBD) (def)
Traditionally the most accessible part of a town or city. Has the highest concentration of retailing, offices and entertainment facilities.
85
Distance decay (def)
The concept that land value decreases with increasing distance from the PLVI.
86
Green areas (def)
Eg. Parks. Tend to be dotted throughout urban areas, ranging from large botanical gardens to playgrounds within a housing estate.
87
Industry (def)
Manufacturing industry requires large areas of land and locate near the edge of cities where cheaper land is available. Deindustrialisation saw decline of UK industry, with former industrial areas demolished or converted into other land uses.
88
Informal settlements (def)
Also known as slums or shanty towns, these are features of cities in LICs. Traditionally develop on city edges, although also found adjacent to transport routes and in undesirable city areas.
89
Inner city (def)
An area of old housing and light manufacturing industry dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Mainly factories and terraced housing providing accommodation for factory workers. These areas have recently seen regeneration in the UK.
90
Peak Land Value Intersection (PLVI) (def)
The most expensive location in a town or city
91
Out of town retail developments (def)
Originally developed by large supermarkets, these spaces include non-food retail units and entertainment complexes. Have had a negative impact on some town and city centres.
92
Residential (def)
These areas consist of housing from a range of periods - usually increasing in size and price as you move towards the outskirts. Urban regeneration means that some of the most expensive property can now be found in traditional 'low cost residential areas'.
93
Urban morphology (def)
Refers to the spatial structure and organisation of an urban area.
94
Cultural and heritage quarters (def)
Areas that focus on the history or character of a city eg. Such areas are often home to theatres, art galleries and historical buildings. Developed by local councils to regenerate former industrial areas. Attract visitors.
95
Edge city (def)
New areas of offices, shops and leisure facilities that develop close to major transport links eg. Motorway intersections outside city centres where land is cheaper. Often contain some housing but most people travel to them to work.
96
Fortress landscapes (def)
Developments for residential and retail use with lots of security such as CCTV, security guards and high walls. Designed around security, exclusion, protection and surveillance.
97
Gentrified areas (def)
The buying and renovating of properties, often in more run down areas, by wealthy individuals. A process of housing improvement supported by estates and local authorities.
98
Post-modern Western City (def)
Many cities, especially in developed countries, are moving away from uniformity in architecture and clear cut patterns in land use. Known as post-modern Western cities.
99
Town centre mixed developments (def)
Areas in town and city centres where the land use is mixed. Offices, shops, retail, leisure, gyms, cinemas, residential areas, flats. Commercial, leisure and residential needs all combined. Planned by local councils with private investment. Aims to attract people to city centres.
