Rural-Urban Links Flashcards
What is the location of significant areas of population in wales? (4)
- population density is highest in the South of Wales
- Population is also somewhat high in the North East
- The rest of Wales is sparsely populated
- With the exception of the coast which can have a slightly higher population density
What is the population in mountainous areas of Wales like?And why? (1 + 2)
- Fewer people live in the mountains areas of wales
- Because it has a hilly relief (difficult to build on), lacks a wide variety of services, feels remote
- But they can also benefit form tourism
What is the population of Cardiff like? And why? (1 +1)
- It has the highest population density in Wales
- Because it is the capital, close to the M4, built up area, many shops, jobs and services
What is the rural-urban continuum?
Shows a transition between the two ends of the continuum - rural and urban areas. It accommodates for areas that are between these classifications.
What is a sphere of influence?
The area that is affected by or influenced by a particular settlement, service or employment
How does retailing and urban services vary along the rural-urban continuum? (2)
- in rural areas: have fewer, basic retail outlets, have basic services but rely on urban areas for specialised services.
- in urban areas: higher population density, large number & wide variety of retail outlets, hubs for specialised services (healthcare, education, offices)
What does ‘rural’ refer to?
Areas in the countryside, that are often less densely populated and often contain farmland
What does ‘urban’ refer to?
Towns, cities and built - up areas with a higher population density.
What is a settlement hierarchy?
A hierarchy that shows the different types of settlement. They get larger and less frequent towards the top of the hierarchy.
What types of settlement are at the bottom of the settlement hierarchy?
Isolated dwellings and hamlets.
Give the order of the settlement hierarchy from highest to lowest? (6)
1) Conurbation
2) City
3) Large Town
4) Small town
5) Village
6) Hamlet/isolated dwelling
How does sphere of influence vary in relation to retailing and urban services? (2)
- a major urban centre often has a larger sphere of influence in retail, attracting shoppers from nearby smaller settlements (factors like transport links, uniqueness of goods, and distance to competing centres affect this)
- urban areas have more specialised services such as healthcare services, leading to a greater sphere of influence as they cater for nearby settlements. Rural areas have limited access to healthcare and so may have to travel great distances for comprehensive healthcare.
Larger settlements have a _____ sphere of influence
larger
What two main factors is provision of services in a settlement influenced by? (2)
- Threshold population (minimum number of people required to maintain a particular service)
- Range of a service (the maximum distance people are willing to travel for a particular service)
What factors does the size of a sphere of influence depend on? (3)
- Settlement infrastructure and transport links (the better they are, the more people can access the settlement)
- Distance from cities (further settlement is from a city, the smaller the sphere of influence)
- Settlement size (larger settlement, higher population density, higher sphere of influence)
What can choropleth maps be used for? (4)
To show:
- population density
- rainfall
- vegetation cover
- land use
What are the advantages of use of chloropleth maps? (3)
- Easy comparison between regions/areas
- Good for looking at changes over time
- Easy to produce
What are the disadvantages of use of chloropleth maps? (3)
- can oversimplify data
-Gives the impression that everything is the same within a colour block - can be difficult to read if colour-blind or printed in greyscale
What are dot distribution maps?
Each dot represents a specific piece of statistical data e.g. 100,000 people
What are the advantages of using a dot distribution map? (4)
- can be used to show a wide range of data
- easy to construct
- easy to compare data across a single area
- good to show areas of interest
What are the disadvantages of using a dot distribution map? (3)
- Overcrowding of dots can blur data and make it difficult to read
- Location of the dots can be subjective
- Creation can take a long time
Push factors for urban areas (7)
- High crime rate
- Air pollution
- lower quality schools
- expensive housing
- lack of open and green spaces
- traffic congestion
- noise pollution
What factors have been increasing commuting from rural towns to urban centres? (6)
- higher paying jobs in the city
- house prices are lower in rural areas, than urban areas
- increased ownership of affordable, fuel-efficient cars
- cheap access to smartphones allow work on the go
- signal and free wi-fi are available on trains and buses
- lower pollution levels in rural towns
What are the environmental impacts of counter-urbanisation? (2)
- increased traffic congestion and pollution in rural areas as people commute to work
- building on greenfield land: loss of habitat and countryside to urban sprawl
What are the economic impacts of counter-urbanisation? (3)
- house prices in rural areas increase as demand rises
- local people find it difficult to afford houses and have to move away
- migrants tend not to support local services and instead shop in the urban areas in which they work
What are the social impacts of counter-urbanisation? (5)
- conflict between local residents and ‘newcomers’
- traditions of the village aren’t valued by newcomers leading to a loss of community spirit
- some local services supported (public houses, local tradesmen)
- local rural schools have increased numbers and can stay open
- old derelict farm buildings are turned into habitable dwellings, adding aesthetic value, increasing community wellbeing
Explain the process of formation of rural commuter villages and deprivation (6)
1) very few houses are built in the countryside due to low local population and limited local requirements
2) high demand for rural housing from wealthy families from urban areas looking for second/holiday homes
3) the price of rural housing is forced up
4) local people (especially young adults) cannot afford to buy a house close to their families
5) local people are forced out the area
6) the full-time residential population of the area declines, forcing local services (schools, banks, buses) and shops to close
What are the causes of rural poverty? (5)
- lack of local employment
- decline in services and shops
- increased house prices
- closure of rural schools
- limited public transport
What does a ‘deprived community’ mean?
A community that lacks features that are usually regarded as necessary for a reasonable standard of living
What is depopulation?
Reduction of the amount of people living in an area
What is a sustainable community?
A place that is able to adequately support the needs of all the residents, providing a good quality of life now and, in the future
What is Egan’s wheel?
The wheel shows the criteria that we use to judge whether a community is sustainable or not. To be sustainable, it must have the appropriate level of elements from each of the segments.
What factors are contributing to a lack of services in rural areas? (6)
- daytime commuting
- larger sphere of influence of urban areas
- second-homes
- aging populations
- online (shopping and banking)
- better, cheaper, faster transport
Explain transport issues in rural communities
Many rural areas have infrequent public transport, leaving people isolated as many cannot afford cars
Explain employment issues in rural communities
As a result of poor education and closure of shops and services in rural communities, there are a lack of opportunities for employment
Explain the cycle of rural depopulation (4)
1) few jobs are in area/jobs are limited to low skill and low pay
2) People live in poverty and have a poor quality of life
3)Young people choose to move out of the area to find better opportunities
4)There is less demand for local services and less investment so they close.
What strategies can be used to create sustainable rural communities? (6)
- Improve transport links
- Provide affordable housing
- Support local businesses and tourism
- Enhance internet connectivity
- Maintain key services (post offices, schools, GP surgeries)
- Set up national parks/nature reserves
Rural de-population case study?
Blaenau-Ffestiniog
Where is Blaenau-Ffestiniog located?
North-West Wales, Snowdonia.
What is the context for Blaenau-Ffestiniog (2)
- They were an old mining town.
- The people used to work as slate miners.
Blaenau Ffestiniog: As the slate industry has declined, the population has ____
declined
What is the approximate population of Blaenau Ffestiniog now?
5000
Is Blaenau Ffestiniog now heavily reliant on tourism?
Yes
Rural poverty and deprivation case study?
Cwm, a village in Denbigshire, North Wales
What are the causes of poverty and deprivation in Cwm? (3)
- Lack of jobs - decline in coal mining
- Low wages
- Local shops and services closing
What are the effects of poverty and deprivation in Cwm? (4)
- people can’t afford food
- 1/7 people take antidepressants
- many are dependant on welfare
- older people are isolated
What was done to help Blaenau Ffestiniog regenerate? (5)
- creation of mountain bike trails
- Llechwedd Slate caverns mine tours and ziplining
- promotion of Welsh culture, language and slate mining heritage
- redevelopment of town centre + investment in public art
- Awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status
What is counter-urbanisation?
People migrate from urban to rural communities. (This only happens in accessible rural areas).
What is the counter-urbanisation Case Study?
St Hilary, Vale of Glamorgan
Where is St Hilary located? Is it accessible?
Just south of the A48
It is accessible
Is St Hilary a commuter village?
Yes
What transport issues are caused by the commuter village - St Hilary?
- Traffic congestion at certain times of the day
- Full trains and overcrowded platforms
What are pull factors that have attracted people to live in St Hilary? (6)
- A48 gives quick, easy access to Cardiff
- Close to Cowbridge
- Area receives fruit and veg deliveries
- Sunday church services
- Lower house prices compared to the average area
- Country walks
What are the advantages of counter-urbanisation? (4)
- It maintains or increases house prices for locals who want to sell
- it can boost local economy
- leads to improvement in infrastructure
- children help keep local schools open
What are the disadvantages of counter-urbanisation? (5)
- traditional services may close
- transport issues - commuting
- social tension
- young people forced out of the area as house prices rise
- pollution
What are key causes of population change within the UK? (3)
- falling birth rates
- aging population (higher life expectancy)
- migration (into and within the UK)
What factors have reduced fertility rates in the UK? (5)
- access to family planning
- raise in the status of women
- improved healthcare
- education for women
- people getting married later
What are the consequences of a falling birth rate? (3)
- fewer school-aged children
- workforce may shrink in the future
- change in services (fewer fertility wards)
Case study for migration to the UK?
Polish migration to the UK
What are the push factors from Poland to the UK? (4)
- Unemployment was almost 20% in 2004
- Income is 4 times lower in Poland than in the UK
- Lower life expectancy
- Longer working hours
Pull factors to the UK, from Poland? (3)
- Desire to experience life abroad and learn the English language
- Job vacancies in the Uk, especially in construction, leisure and farming
- better healthcare
What is the history of Polish migration to the UK? (2)
- Increase in World War 2
- Influx in 2004 when Poland joined the EU, so movement into the UK was free
What are 2 key places where Polish migrants settled in the UK?
- London
- Southampton
What work are polish migrants doing in the UK?
hard, manual labour jobs. Relatively low pay.
Who are the new polish migrants to the UK? (2)
- families
- young men who are able to do work requiring physical labour
Advantages of polish migration to the UK - for migrants? (3)
- Chance for new life
- Higher wages
- Better standard of living
Disadvantages of polish migration to the UK - for immigrants? (2)
- People think they are invaders - unwanted
- Immigrants face abuse
Advantage of polish migration to the UK - for
UK?
Fills a skills shortage and puts money into the local economy
Advantage of polish migration to the UK - for Poland?
Reduces overpopulation and puts less pressure on local services
Disadvantages of polish migration to the UK - for Poland? (2)
- Young leave - unbalanced population
- Brain drain - loss of most skilled workers
Disadvantages of polish migration to the UK - for the UK? (3)
- Puts pressure on local services (e.g. schools)
- resulting in housing shortages
- Cultural conflicts
