Reasons for regional variations in urbanisation in the UK Flashcards
What are the historical reasons for regional variations in urbanisation in the UK
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION - The Enclosure Acts in the Midlands and North of England saw many people being forced off the land and move to towns and cities in search of work. Cities, such as Birmingham grew rapidly.
CAPITAL CITY - London stood out form the other towns of the UK in 1801 and continues to do so today because of its size and its importance. London had been the capital city and an important port for so long that it attracted industries and in-migration of people in search of work.
What are the political reasons for regional variations in urbanisation in the UK
CENTRE OF GOVERNMENT - London is the centre of UK government and decision making which encourages firms and people to move to live in or near the capital.
What are the physical reasons for regional variations in urbanisation in the UK
CLIMATE - The south coast towns have more recently developed as retirement settlements due to the more relaxing environment and often more mild climate. An example is Bournemouth.
NATURAL RESOURCES - The urban areas in South Wales (Swansea and Cardiff) grew in the 19th century, because coal, iron ore and limestone were found. This lead to the development of industries in the area, so people moved there for jobs.
PORTS - Cities which had located on river estuaries grew as ports during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as trade with other countries developed. As a result people moved to these areas for work. For example London and Bristol.
RELIEF and SOIL - In the north and west of the UK, land is higher, slopes are steep, soils are thin and farming is difficult; as a result, fewer people live here. The rich soils in the south and east of the UK (Herefordshire and East Anglia) also result in lower population densities as these areas are mostly farming communities generally far from large towns.
What are the economic reasons for regional variations in urbanisation in the UK
INFRASTRUCTURE – Areas accessible by motorways or fast rail links are more desirable and grow rapidly as commuting and the movement of goods becomes more economic and rapid.
From the 1950s onwards, UK economic growth focused on tertiary industries and quaternary industries, such as research and development. They located in areas in the south and south-east of England grew, for example, Swindon where there is good transport and communications.
TOURISM – As coastal towns and cities developed their tourist industry people moved there for jobs. For instance Blackpool and Scarborough in the north and Brighton in the south.
