London and Lagos - Urban issues and challenges Flashcards
Importance of London
-International trading hub
-Capital of England
-Centre of government in England
-Generates 1/3 of Uk’s GDP
Case study for urban regeneration in LDN
The Stratford project, Olympic park regeneration
Info about Olympic park
Project cost 180 million
-Produced $3.5 billion economic value to Stratford
-Stratford was one of the most deprived communities in England
Why was the Olympic park regeneration needed?
-Deindustrialization, Urban deprivation, poor environment
-Lack of infrastructure
Causes of growth in London
National migration
Young population having children
Job opportunities
Impact of growth in London
-More social spaces and services
-Multicultural city, range of eateries, cultures and shops etc
-Economic inequalities
-Urban sprawl
Social Economic and Environmental opportunities in London
Social- Nightlight, diverse areas e.g. Brixton
Economic - London generates 1/3 of Uk’s GDP, Trading hub internationally
Environmental - Urban greening —-> Increasing amount and proportion of green spaces within a city, Water conservation (Grey water systems)
Challenges caused by growth in London
-Traffic congestion
-Economic inequalities
-Waste pollution
-Building on greenfield and brownfield sites
What is a greenfield site
An area of land that has not been developed previously
What is a brownfield site
-An old industrial site that is cleared for new building development
Adv and disadvantages of Greenfield
Advantages: Healthier environment than brownfield
Disadvantages: encourages urban sprawl and removes rural land
Adv and disadvantages of brownfield
Adv: Doesn’t remove rural land and can regenerate derelict land
Disadvantages: Causes high levels of pollution
Impacts of urban sprawl
-Loss of farmland to build new homes
-Increased pollution levels and impact on ecosystems
-Loss of rural way of life and character on the countryside
-Creates impermeable surfaces and surface run-off
-Higher emissions coz of car dependancy
Social Benefits of Olympic regeneration
Social- 33,000 new homes will have been built, new neighborhoods, education academies.
Economic benefits of Olympic regen
Stratford is now a well-connected area making commuting easier, new jobs in construction and tourism created (multiplier effect), 100,000 new jobs by 2030.
Environmental benefits of Olympic regen
-The park is now sustainable with public footpaths, cycle paths and natural habitats now in place
Importance of Lagos
-6th largest city in the world (17,000,000)
-1/4 GDP in Nigeria produced
-Airport is important for international travel
-Largest economy in Africa
Why is Lagos’ population growing
-People pushed away from rural parts of Nigeria due to:
-Natural increase
-Droughts and floods
-Lack of jobs other than farming
-Lack of education and health services
Issues of population growth in Lagos
-Not enough living spaces
-Job shortage
-Food insecurity
-Traffic congestion
How urban growth has caused opportunities in Lagos
-Access to healthcare
-Access to education
-Water supply
-Improved public transport
Formal economy/sector
-Secondary/tertiary sector
-Jobs result in higher income and areas become richer
-More disposable income to create more jobs e.g. cleaner.
Informal economy/sector
-Don’t have to pay tax
-Minimum wage
-Dangerous conditions
-Opportunity to earn more money than previously
-Chance for people escape poverty
Lagos- How urban growth created challenges environmentally:
-Raw sewage ejected into the lagoon causing health problems such as cholera.
-Poor waste management
-Factory emissions not controlled properly causing air and water pollution
-Traffic congestion
Name a method of countering traffic congestion in Lagos
Danfos buses - like a taxi/bus service
Lagos
Urban growth challenges socially and economically
- Lack of safe water supply
- Unemployment and crime
- Access to healthcare and education**
Unemployment and crime in Lagos
-Crime:
Drug dealing, vandalism and theft
-Armed robbery rates high
-gang wars
Unemployment: Unemployment rate below 10%
-People are forced into the informal economy.
Why is lack of water supply a challenge in Lagos
-Waste and sewage isn’t dispersed properly, mixes with drinking water and causes diseases
-Water treatment plants too expensive
How is lack of access to healthcare and education a challenge in Lagos
-Healthcare can be expensive and there are long queues to see doctors, wealthier people tend to seek healthcare from abroad
-Education is free but children in poverty have to work to provide money for their families
Give an example of urban planning improving quality of life for the poor
-The Makoko floating school
Benefits of Makoko floating school
-Provides education for children in poverty
-Potentially could get a job in the formal sector and escape poverty in the long term
-Doesn’t cause environmental problems
-Provides employment opportunities
-Built on water on stilts to reduce flood risk.
-Uses solar panels as energy source
What happened to the Makoko floating school in 2016
-The Makoko school was practically destroyed and almost sunk
-This damaged it’s reputation as children were at risk
-Gave government a reason to destroy squatter settlements
