Successful places - Sydney

Question 1

What is a successful place?

Answer 1

An area which attracts both migration and inward investment. They typically have low levels of deprivation however still face issues such as overheated populations leading to traffic congestion and high housing prices.

Question 2

Why is Sydney a successful place?

Answer 2

1. As of 2015, the city had an average income of £40,000 - the 7th highest of all cities in the world.
2. Its time zone allows for trading with the West.

3 Favorable climate - attracts immigration

4. GRP (gross regional product) of $337 billion in 2013
5. One of the most multicultural cities in the world with over 250 languages spoken.
6. Leading financial centre for the Asia - Pacific region
7. In 2011, there were 450,000 businesses located here including half of Australia’s top 500 companies.

Question 3

What are some limitations/ threats to Sydney’s success in the future?

Answer 3

1. High cost of living. (between 5th and 15th most expensive city in the world to live in). This will only increase as the population continues to increase.
2. Increasing noise and air pollution as a result of increased population causing increased traffic congestion.
3. Shortages of skilled workers. Sydney relies on inward migration to fill certain skill shortages such as construction workers including electricians plumbers etc.), teachers, IT workers and healthcare workers.

Question 4

What are the positive impacts of San Francisco’s tech boom?

Answer 4

1. San Francisco is known as an international centre for commerce and innovation, particularly as a hub for the technology industry.
2. Increasing wealth and population has resulted in a positive multiplier effect as more disposable income is being spent in the city’s businesses. There is also more taxes being paid leading to improvements in infrastructure.

Question 5

What are the negative impacts of San Francisco’s tech boom?

Answer 5

1. Huge levels of inequality - the average income of the top 1% is $3.6 million. This is 44x that of the bottom 99% at $81,000. The top 1% also own a 30.8% share of San Francisco’s total income
2. Average income of $54,500 in 2020, but the median house price was $1.2 million
3. Skill shortages in communications (112,000 more workers needed) and ( business management (86,000 more workers needed)
4. In 2015, 64,000 jobs were created but only 5000 new homes were built. Minimum qualifying income to purchase a house = $254,000