London- urban change environmental opportunities and challenges

Question 1

• disadvantages of building on the greenbelt (environmental challenges urban change)

Answer 1

natural habitats may be destroyed

valuable farmland or land for recreation may be lost

no existing infrastructure so expensive

public transport is worse so more need for cars

encourages commuting and therefore pollution

encourages urban sprawl

Question 2

• advantages of building on brownsfield ( urban change challenges and opportunities environmental)

Answer 2

reduces the need for urban sprawl

ground may need to be decontaminated

close to existing facilities and servies

new development can improve the urban environment

sites are not left empty and or dereleict

cut commuting and public transport is better in urban areas so reduced the need for cars

sites are available since industry declined

cheaper to build on due to existing infrasturucture such as roads and electricity.

Question 3

• should new homes be built on green belt ( environmental challenges urban change)

Answer 3

as the population of London grows and house prices rise, more people move to commuter settlements around London. this forces population and house prices in the rest of south east england to rise too. the problem of urban sprawl has shifted to commuter settlements outside the green belt. cities like reading and Chelmsford are growing rapidly. Urban development in the form of a new housing estates and business parks, encroaches into the surrounding countryside.

Question 4

• why are green spaces needed ( urban change environmental challenges and opportunities)

Answer 4

they help us to keep healthy. we use these spaces for walking, running, cycling and for sport.

tree produce oxygen, clean the air, and help to reduce global warming by using carbon dioxide. there are 8.1 million trees in London almost one per person

people also use green spaces for growing food. there are 50,000 allotments in London.

greenspaces act as habitats for 13,000 wildlife species in London

Question 5

• define the alternative to greenbelts

Answer 5

the alternative is to build on Brownsfield sites in the city.

Question 6

• how can London be made greener ( urban change environmental opportunities and challenges

Answer 6

encouraging people to feed birds. in winter not paving over gardens

‘green grid’ created to help species migrate naturally

wildlife sites protect wildlife from development and are important for nature conservation

London has 55,25 hectares of designed greenbelt, preventing urban sprawl

Question 7

• why are there housing shortages in London- Urban sprawl

Answer 7

London’s population is growing by about 100,000 people every year, yet only about 20,000 new homes a year are being built. this has led to a severe housing shortage in London and the rest of southeast England this results in higher housing prices

Question 8

• solution to the housing shortage- urban sprawl

Answer 8

one possible solution to the shortage of homes in London is to build outside London on greenfield sites. Building on these sites can lead to urban sprawl and is not very popular with those people already living in the countryside.

Question 9

• advantages of building on the greenbelt ( environmental opportunities urban change)

Answer 9

Easier to sell homes due to the pleasant countryside environment.

Doesn’t need demolition or decontamination so cheaper to prepare.

Housing plots can be larger

existing road network won’t cause restrictions

The land is cheaper in rural areas

more space for gardens