London case study Flashcards
Counter-urbanisation of London
-In the 1960s, new commuter towns such as Milton Keynes began to develop, to combat the issue of a lack of affordable housing and space in London.
-Deindustrialisation had occurred leaving large parts of the East End of London like Stratford facing severe social, environment and economic issues.
-In the 1960s, London was a major centre of industry with33% of all jobs in manufacturing, this had fell to 5% in 2016. (Deindustrialisation caused by globalisation + government policy)
Photochemical smog in London
-In the first half of the 20th century, smog events so common in London that the term ‘London Particular’ was used and is still used to refer to smog.
-The introduction of Clean Air Act in 1956 reduced CO2 emissions in the city.
-Greener net zero carbon routemaster buses, taxi age limits and the Ultra Low Emission zone have also been used.
-However, this hasn’t been successful, as Nitrogen Dioxide still breaches EU legal limits, and London still suffers higher levels of air pollution than surrounding rural areas.
-5.3% of deaths in people over 25 in 2014 were linked to air pollution.
Urban heat island effect in London
-London centre is up to 10% warmer than the surrounding rural area, this particularly increases in summer and will continue to increase with climate change.
-poses risks to peoples health, vulnerable people, and cities consumption of water and energy.
-In response, targets have been set to increase green cover in London by 5% by 2030.
Flooding in London
-Risk comes from 5 different sources: tidal, fluvial, surface, sewage and groundwater.
-Climate change will bring heavier downpours, rising sea levels and higher tidal surges.
-15% of London is floodplain protected from flood defences.
-Both residential areas and infrastructure and transport are at risk, the Thames Estuary project is a response to this risk.
Socio-economic inequality in London
-Huge areas of poverty despite status, largest disparities between rich and poor than any other English region.
-In 2015, London Fairness Commission reported that for every £1 wealth in bottom 10%, top 10% earned £172.
-Richest 10% have 60% all assets and property wealth 45%
Social regeneration in Newham
-Newham Olympic park regeneration- provided additional affordable housing, social housing, leisure facilities, schools and TNC investment to the area.
-student improvement rate faster than anywhere else in the nation in terms of GCSE results.
-The Newham Every Child programme provides oppourtunities for extracurricular engagement such as music and sport and free school meals.
The London Living wage
-A wage calculated to give the rate needed for a worker in London to provide their family with the essentials of life- not compulsory.
-It has lifted an estimated 10,000 families out of poverty.
Sustainable green living in East Village- green space
-Although East Village is a high-density urban area, 37% land is green open space, 10 out of the 27 ha is green space.
-There is a wetland area that recycles rainwater, which is used for flushing toilets and water plants
-A large green park containing a children’s play area
-Green roofing- reducing UHIE
-each apartment block has a shared private green space- encouraging and social sustainability.
Waste recycling in East Village
-99% of parkland waste is recycled rather than being sent to landfill
Energy efficiency in East Village
-Water use in East Village is 50% less than typical urban areas, this has been done through recycling water naturally and reed beds in wetland areas.
-Rainwater is filtered naturally before being recycled and used for irrigating plants and flushing toilets.
-East village uses 30% less energy than average urban area due to combined heat and power (CHP)- generating heat and electricity from the same source- water heated to turn a turbine to generate electricity.
Social benefits of East village
-More than 10,000 new homes will have been built by 2030 and 5 new neighbourhoods.
Economic benefits of East Village
-New jobs in tourism, retail and construction have created a multiplier effect.
-By 2030, over 20,000 jobs could be created, bringing £5 billion into the area.
-The Westfield Stratford shopping centre created 10,000 permanent new jobs from day 1, 2,000 for previously unemployed locals.
Environmental benefits of East Village
-The Olympic bid was in part successfully based on sustainability. The park is sustainable in many ways, including public transport, walking and cycling routes, the water and energy efficient design of homes and protection of green spaces and natural habitats.
-300,000 new plants have been planted in the wetlands.
-The London Olympic Athlete’s Village is the largest sustainable homes project in the UK.
-Before construction, the Olympic Delivery Authority excavated and cleaned more than 2.3 million cubic metres of contaminated soil.
Inequality in London statistics
-16% Londoners are in the poorest 10% nationally, 17% richest 10% nationallay.
-Richest 10% of people in London have 60% all assets whilst the poorest 80% share just 20% all asset wealth in London.
How many Londoners lived in poverty in 2020
28% or 2.5 million
