Paper 2: Urban Opportunities and Challenges Flashcards
What is a Brownfield site?
Land that has been used, abandoned, and now awaits some new use. Commonly found across urban areas, particularly in the inner city.
What does Dereliction refer to?
Abandoned buildings and wasteland.
What are Economic opportunities?
Chances for people to improve their standard of living through employment.
What is a Greenfield site?
A plot of land, often in a rural or on the edge of an urban area that has not yet been subject to any building development.
What are Inequalities?
Differences between poverty and wealth, as well as in people’s wellbeing and access to jobs, housing, and education.
What are Integrated transport systems?
When different transport methods connect together, making journeys smoother and public transport more appealing.
What defines Mega-cities?
An urban area with a total population in excess of ten million people.
What is Migration?
When people move from one area to another with the intention of settling there.
What is Natural increase?
The birth rate minus the death rate of a population.
What is Pollution?
The presence of chemicals, noise, dirt, or other substances which have harmful or poisonous effects on an environment.
What is the Rural-urban fringe?
A zone of transition between the built-up area and the countryside, often with competition for land use.
What is Sanitation?
Measures designed to protect public health, including the provision of clean water and the disposal of sewage and waste.
What is Social deprivation?
The degree to which an individual or area cannot access services, decent housing, adequate income, and local employment.
What are Social opportunities?
Chances for people to improve their quality of life, such as access to education and healthcare.
What is an informal settlement?
An area of poor-quality housing, often lacking amenities like water supply, sewerage, and electricity.
What is Sustainable urban living?
A city with minimal environmental damage, a sound economic base, and a strong community sense.
What is Traffic congestion?
Occurs when there is too much traffic for roads to handle, leading to traffic jams and slow movement.
What is Urban greening?
The process of increasing and preserving open spaces like public parks and gardens in urban areas.
What is Urbanisation?
The process by which an increasing percentage of a country’s population lives in towns and cities.
What is Urban regeneration?
The revival of old parts of the built-up area by either installing modern facilities in old buildings or opting for redevelopment.
What is Urban sprawl?
The unplanned growth of urban areas into the surrounding rural areas.
What is Waste recycling?
The process of extracting and reusing useful substances found in waste.
What is the Birth rate?
The number of births in a year per 1000 of the total population.
Q: Where is Rio de Janeiro located?
A: Rio is located in the southeast of Brazil, on the Atlantic coast, and is Brazil’s second largest city.
Q: Why is Rio de Janeiro regionally and internationally important?
A: Rio is a major port city, cultural hub, tourist destination, and hosts important industries including oil, finance, and manufacturing. It was also the host of the 2016 Olympics
Q: What is the population of Rio de Janeiro?
A: Approximately 6.7 million people live in the city itself, with over 13 million in the wider metropolitan area.
Q: What are the education opportunities in Rio?
A: Rio offers many schools and universities; education is improving through local government schemes and NGO support in favelas.
Q: How has healthcare improved in parts of Rio?
A: Mobile health clinics have been used to visit favelas and detect diseases like tuberculosis and treat infant illnesses
Q: What employment opportunities exist in Rio?
A: Jobs in tourism, oil and gas, manufacturing, and services, especially around the port and commercial districts. Jaguar Landrover have a factory there
Q: How has urbanisation created economic opportunities in Rio?
A: It has encouraged the growth of industry, commerce, and services, providing jobs and boosting Brazil’s economy
Q: What are the main housing challenges in Rio?
A: Rapid urbanisation has led to the growth of favelas, with overcrowded, poorly built homes lacking basic services
Q: What social challenges affect education in favelas?
A: Low school attendance due to poverty, drug use, and lack of facilities; many children drop out early to wor
Q: What are the environmental challenges in Rio?
A: Air pollution from traffic, water pollution in Guanabara Bay, and waste problems in favelas due to lack of services
Q: What are the transport challenges in Rio?
A: Congestion is severe due to lack of adequate public transport, steep winding and narrow roads. Also as the city develops, car ownership is increasing, but these cars may be older and more likely to break down as the ci
Q: Where is Rocinha located?
A: Rocinha is Rio’s largest favela, located on a steep hillside overlooking the wealthy district of São Conrado
Q: How has Rocinha developed over time?
A: Rocinha has seen some self-improvement with brick houses, electricity, running water, and local businesses, making it more developed than other favelas
Q: What are some of the problems faced by residents of Rocinha?
A: Crime, poor sanitation, risk of landslides, overcrowding, and limited healthcare and education access
Q: What has been done to improve life in Rocinha and other favelas?
A: The Favela Bairro Project has provided basic infrastructure, legal housing rights, education centres, and health clinics
Q: What is the main aim of the Favela Bairro Project in Rio de Janeiro?
A: To improve conditions in favelas by integrating them into the formal city through upgrading infrastructure and services, rather than demolishing them
Q: When did the Favela Bairro Project begin and who funded it?
A: It began in the 1990s and was partly funded by the local government and the Inter-American Development Bank
Q: Name three infrastructure improvements made under the Favela Bairro Project.
A: Paved roads, improved drainage and sanitation systems, and installation of street lighting
Q: What social services were introduced through the Favela Bairro Project?
A: Day care centres, adult education classes, vocational training, and healthcare access
Q: How did the Favela Bairro Project support housing improvements?
A: Residents were given legal ownership of land and support to improve their homes with access to water, electricity, and sewage systems
A: Residents were given legal ownership of land and support to improve their homes with access to water, electricity, and sewage systems. It is called the site and service scheme
Q: What are some criticisms of the Favela Bairro Project?
A: Limited coverage (only around 250,000 people out of millions), short-term improvements, and some services were not maintained over time.
Q: What is the Police Pacification Programme (UPP) in Rio?
A: A strategy to reclaim control of favelas from drug gangs by establishing a permanent police presence to reduce crime and violence
Q: How does the UPP support the goals of the Favela Bairro Project?
A: By improving security, it allows other services (like education and healthcare) to operate more safely and consistently within favela
Q: What are the positive outcomes of the police pacification programme?
A: Reduced levels of violent crime and improved perception of safety in some favelas, leading to more tourism and investment
Q: What are some problems or criticisms of the UPP scheme?
A: Allegations of police brutality, lack of trust between police and residents, and limited success in completely removing gang influence.
Q: Where is London located?
A: London is in the southeast of England, on the River Thame
Q: Why is London important nationally?
A: It’s the UK’s capital city, home to the government, a financial centre, and a cultural and media hub.
Q: Why is London important internationally?
A: London is a global city with major international companies, world-class universities, and strong transport links like Heathrow Airport and the Eurostar.
Q: How has migration contributed to London’s growth?
A: Migration has increased London’s population, cultural diversity, and workforce, especially since the EU expansion in 2004.
Q: How has education improved in London compared to other parts of the UK?
A: GCSE results are generally higher in London, and the London Challenge programme helped improve struggling school
Q: What is an example of health inequality in London?
A: Life expectancy in wealthy boroughs like Kensington is over 10 years higher than in poorer areas like Stratford or Tower Hamlets
Q: What education challenges exist in London?
A: Despite progress, there are still gaps in attainment between ethnic groups and children from low-income families
Q: Why is traffic congestion a major problem in London?
A: London’s population and economic activity cause heavy demand on roads, leading to delays, air pollution, and lost productivity
Q: What are the environmental impacts of traffic in London?
A: High levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter contribute to poor air quality and respiratory health problems
Q: What is the purpose of the Congestion Charge zone?
A: It aims to reduce the number of vehicles entering Central London, cut emissions, and fund public transport improvements
Q: What are some sustainable transport initiatives in London?
A: Expansion of cycle lanes, introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), electric buses, and improved rail services like the Crossrail (Elizabeth Line)
Q: What is London’s approximate population, and how is it changing?
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A: Over 9 million people live in London, and it continues to grow due to natural increase and international migration
Q: Why was Stratford chosen for regeneration?
A: Stratford was one of the most deprived areas in London with high unemployment, poor housing, and contaminated brownfield land after industrial decline.
Q: What major event kick-started the regeneration of Stratford?
A: The 2012 London Olympics, which brought investment in housing, transport, and infrastructure
Q: What happened to the Olympic Athletes’ Village after the Games?
A: It was converted into the East Village, a residential neighbourhood with nearly 3,000 new homes
Q: What new transport infrastructure was developed in Stratford?
A: Stratford became one of the most well-connected areas in London with upgrades to the Stratford International station, DLR, London Overground, and bus services.
Q: How has regeneration affected employment in Stratford?
A: New jobs were created in construction, retail (e.g., Westfield shopping centre), tourism, and tech industries in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area
Q: What new public spaces were created in the Stratford area?
A: The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, waterways, and parkland were cleaned and landscaped for recreation and biodiversity
Q: How has housing changed in East Village since the Olympics?
A: High-quality, affordable homes were built, with a mix of private and social housing, aimed at a range of income levels
Q: What criticisms have been made about the Stratford regeneration?
A: Some locals were displaced, house prices rose, and not all promised affordable homes were delivered
Q: What facilities were retained or repurposed after the Olympics?
A: The Olympic Stadium became West Ham’s football ground; the Aquatics Centre, Velodrome, and Copper Box were opened for public and elite use.
Q: How did the regeneration aim to benefit the local community?
A: It aimed to reduce deprivation through better jobs, housing, education, and access to green space
Q: What is meant by “sustainable urban living”?
A: Living in a way that meets present needs without harming the environment or reducing resources for future generations.
Q: How is water use made sustainable in East Village?
A: Water is conserved through rainwater harvesting and dual-flush toilets; homes use 50% less water than average.
Q: How is energy use sustainable in East Village?
A: A combined heat and power (CHP) system provides energy-efficient heating and electricity from a single source.
Q: How does East Village promote sustainable transport?
A: It has excellent public transport links, secure bike storage, and promotes walking and cycling to reduce car use.
Q: How does East Village support green living and biodiversity?
A: There are green roofs, wetlands, and communal green spaces to support wildlife and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Q: What is one economic benefit of urbanisation in LICs?
A: Urbanisation can lead to more job opportunities in factories, construction, and services, improving people’s incomes
Q: What is a social benefit of urbanisation in LICs?
A: Access to education, healthcare, and clean water often improves in cities compared to rural areas.
Q: What is a negative effect of urbanisation on housing in LICs?
A: Rapid urbanisation often leads to the growth of slums or informal settlements, with poor sanitation and overcrowding
Q: What is an environmental problem caused by urbanisation in LICs?
A: Increased air and water pollution, as waste disposal systems and clean energy sources are often limited.
Q: What transport-related issue is caused by urbanisation in LICs?
A: Many LIC cities face severe traffic congestion and poor public transport, causing long commutes and pollution
Q: What is one economic benefit of urbanisation in HICs?
A: Urbanisation boosts the service and tech sectors, driving innovation and economic growth in cities.
Q: What is a social benefit of urbanisation in HICs?
A: People have better access to high-quality healthcare, education, and cultural opportunities
Q: What housing challenge does urbanisation cause in HICs?
A: Urbanisation can lead to a shortage of affordable housing, especially in popular city centre
Q: What environmental problem is linked to urbanisation in HICs?
A: Urban sprawl and high car use contribute to air pollution, loss of green space, and increased carbon emissions.
Q: What is a social issue caused by urbanisation in HICs?
A: Urbanisation can increase social inequality, with noticeable divides between wealthy and deprived urban area
Q: What is the main economic reason people are leaving the Hebrides?
A: Lack of job opportunities, especially for young people, due to the decline of traditional industries like fishing and crofting.
Q: Why is farming no longer a reliable livelihood in the Hebrides?
A: Crofting is unprofitable, with small-scale farming unable to compete with large farms elsewhere or provide stable incomes.
Q: What services are affected by population decline in the Hebrides?
A: With fewer residents, schools, hospitals, and transport services are reduced or closed, making life harder for those remaining.
Q: What is a social reason for out-migration from the Hebrides?
A: Young people often leave for education or better career prospects, and many don’t return, leading to an ageing population.
Q: How does physical isolation impact life in the Hebrides?
A: The remote location and limited transport links make commuting, accessing services, and attracting investment difficult.
Describe the location of the Hebrides
The Hebrides are islands just off the west coast of Scotland in the Atlantic
