London: CASE STUDY urban challenges in the UK Flashcards
Where is London located?
SE England on River Thames; tidal navigable river so became a port; lowest bridging point for Roman city.
Why did London grow?
New docks built through 18thC. Centre of trade and commerce grew; developed thriving manufacturing industry attracting more people; port declined but remains main hub of UK transport network for national and global connections.
What is London’s national and international importance?
UK capital; hosts government; UK’s largest and wealthiest city; widening gap between London and rest of UK; a world city…important financial centre; HQ of major TNCs; Iconic buildings like Shard
How has London’s population changed?
8.6million in 2015; previous peak in 1939. Population grew in 19thC due to migrants seeking employment in factories; 2WW pop fell after Blitz; pop grew again from 1991 due to natural increase…young migrants having children.
Why did London docklands decline? Economic and social challenges:
new container ships too large for the original dock facilities; docks closed and lying derelict by 1980. Industries closed too. Port moved nearer sea.
How have new industries grown? Economic opportunities:
1981 govt set up LDDC to regenerate docks. Finding new private investment to create new opportunities and jobs to replace those lost. Canary Wharf high rise office blocks now houses international banks. But biggest growth was in service jobs (law, accountancy, market research, consultancy etc), manufacturing continued to decline.
What are the challenges for transport in London?
London has an integrated transport system i.e transport types are linked; but struggling to cope with increased passenger numbers and rising pop. Limited car parking and traffic congestion. 75 millions used underground and buses 2014; Growing every year.
What opportunities does Crossrail provide for transport in London? Challenges and opportunities for transport.
Crossrail due to open 2018. Links east and west London through to Reading. Tunnel under city. reducing journey times and increase number of passengers who can commute into London within 45mins. Raise property values; improve integrated transport system by adding links to underground; encourage regeneration, improve disabled access.
How much of London is “green”? Urban greening is an environmental opportunity.
47% is green space including parks, woodlands, cemeteries and gardens. 8 royal parks.
What benefits are there of having a green city? environmental opportunity
trees produce oxygen and filter out pollutants and noise; reduce flooding; provide wildlife habitats; provide recreation for people; provide allotment space to grow food.
How can London be made greener? environmental challenge
Urban greening: 700 rooftop green spaces; individual actions - feeding birds, not paving over gardens; larger scale - connecting green spaces, canals, rivers to allow wildlife breeding and migration.
How does deprivation vary across London?
A lot! Social deprivation is a major problem across the 33 boroughs. Life expectancy and people on benefits varies a great deal across the city.
Why is inequality a challenge in London? social challenges:
Wealth divide, house prices, life expectancy and educational attainment still vary widely despite economic success. (e.g life expectancy East London 78yrs; Knightsbridge 90 years)
Why is there a housing shortage? socio-economic challenges:
Population growing by natural increase; too few houses being built, just 20,000 a year. Result is house prices rise.
What are the issues about building on brownfield sites? these are a mix of costs and benefits:
sites available since industry declined; reduces urban sprawl; public transport better; old buildings need to be demolished first; new development improves environment, land is more expensive in urban areas.
What are the issues about building on greenfield sites?
public transport worse in rural areas; need more cars; increases urban sprawl; loss of countryside/greenbelt; land is cheaper; no demolition or decontamination needed; recreation / farmland lost; natural habitats destroyed.
What opportunities does the greenbelt provide?
Greenbelt established 1947 to prevent urban sprawl. Preserves farmland, woodland and parkland around London by strict planning laws.. Now pressure to build on it as pop grows and people move to commuter towns; new housing estates pop up outside Reigate on A217.
London’s polluted air is an environmental challenge
Pollution is less than in 1950’s smog when coal was burned for fuel and in power stations. Vehicle emissions now pollute London, especially diesel. Tall buildings trap pollution. Nitrogen dioxide and particles cause 4000 deaths per year in London.
London’s waste is an environmental challenge
A quarter of London’s waste goes to landfill. Landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas. More of the waste is recycled. Target for zero landfill by 2030.
Revise Olympic regeneration example in book p238-241
revise Stratford Olympic regeneration and legacy from book p238-241: WHY was regeneration needed? What were the challenges to overcome? How has the Lower Lea valley changed? What social and economic changes have there been? helpful website https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z9y47hv/revision/3
revise Curitiba sustainable city in Brazil from notes in your book.
revise Sustainable city example
London importance: travel hub facts
has several major airports inc Heathrow, Gatwick; public transport increased by 40% since 2000; car journeys fallen since 2000.
London importance: Tourism
one of the most visited cities in the world; highest tourist spend in the world, per head.. total over $20billion 2011
London importance: Finance and business
accounts for over 20% of UK GDP. 6th largest city economy;
London importance cultural diversity
Over 2 million Londoners do not speak English at home; One third of Londoners born abroad.
London importance: economy
800,000 people commute to London everyday. 5 million jobs in London.
Social and economic opportunities: Cultural mix
multicultural ad diverse pop in London - huge numbers of races and cultures from all over world. enriches food, culture, language, parties, festivals, carnivals,
social challenges: cultural mix
integration of diverse races and ethnicities is an issue; language services and education;
Economic opportunity and challenge: employment
London houses major world finance centre. ore highly paid managerial jobs BUT high unemployment too.
Transport for London: integrated transport system
TfL controls the majority of transport in London including the London Underground,theiconic red London Buses,theDocklands Light Railway,and the London Overground
Integrated transport system
Commuters can travel on most forms of transport using the Oyster card.
London also has an integrated sustainable cycle network
over one million Londoners own bicycles but as of 2008 only 2% of all journeys in London are made by bike
Urban greening means
to increase the amount and proportion of green spaces within a city. These green spaces are essential for people’s quality of life.
London challenge 1: inequality
tackling inequalities in health, housing education and employment.
London challenge 2: urban decline from deindustrialisation
urban decline and deprivation: deterioration of city due to lack of investment; deprivation: low standard of living with lack of access to basic resources.
London challenge 3: dereliction
brownfield sites left unused after factory closures.
London challenge 4: urban sprawl
impact of urban sprawl on greenbelt: health issues; increased traffic; isolated communities; impact on environment
London challenge 5: brownfield /Greenfield sites
Lack of affordable housing; controversial issue building on greenbelt.
London challenge 6: waste disposal and atmospheric pollution
NO2, ozone and particulate matter.
