The urban-rural continuum Flashcards
What is the urban-rural continuum?
A continuum along which all settlements are placed that go from rural to urban.
Define rural
An area of countryside characterised by wide open spaces.
Define urban
A built-up environment where a lot of people live - city.
Define population density
The average number of people per square kilometer - usually expressed as densely or sparsely populated.
Define location
A particular place or position.
Define population
The number of people living in an area.
What services is it likely a village will have?
Post office Small shop Bus stop Pub Church
What services do cities have?
Shopping centres - many chain stores
Entertainment centres
Variety of restaurants and bars
Range of medical facilities
What is meant by a sphere of influence?
The area of which a geographical feature or event is able to create an impact. These impacts can be good or bad.
How is the infrastructure and transport links between urban and rural areas a strength of a city’s sphere of influence?
The more widespread and efficient the roads and railway networks are, the wider the sphere of influence.
How is the distance from the urban area a strength of a city’s sphere of influence?
The influence is greater the closer a rural settlement is to the city.
How is the size of the urban area a strength of a city’s sphere of influence?
The sphere of influence will be greater for a large city than a small town.
What is counter-urbanisation?
The movement of people out of towns and cities to rural areas.
What are the reasons for counter urbanisation?
Housing Family status Transport Employment Social factors Environmental factors
How is housing a reason for counter urbanisation?
The types and styles of houses people want are more available + affordable in rural areas.
How is family status a reason for counter urbanisation?
With increased income or family size, people may look for larger properties in rural places.
How is transport a reason for counter urbanisation?
Improved road and rail links, together with the increase in car ownership, enable people to live in a different location and travel to their place of work.
How is employment a reason for counter urbanisation?
A decline of industry located in central urban areas + an increase on the rural-urban fringe improves access from rural locations.
How are social factors a reason for counter urbanisation?
Factors like low crime rate and good schools (in rural areas) often leads to people moving out of urban areas.
How are environmental factors a reason for counter urbanisation?
Increased air and noise pollution in urban centres cause people to seek ‘cleaner’ environments to live in.
What are the impacts of counter-urbanisation on rural settlements?
Increased house prices as higher demands
Shopping at larger urban supermarkets, decrease in traditional services.
Fewer people in village during daytime.
Increase in numbers of children attending rural schools.
Increased traffic + pollution on rural roads.
Loss of village ‘identity’ as majority of residents don’t work in village.
What factors leads to a decrease in commuting?
Rapid growth of internet + email Increased coverage + quality of phone network providers Rapid growth of broadband Housing prices in cities Rising cost of fuel Cost of public transport
What are primary jobs?
Jobs that involve getting raw materials from the environment - e.g. fishing, mining + farming.
What are tertiary jobs?
Jobs that provide a service - e.g. teaching, medical + retail.
Define commuter belt
The area around a town/city where people travel to work in the urban area.
Define depopulation
The reduction in the population of an area.
Define deprivation
The lack of key features that are regarded as necessary for a reasonable standard of living.
What is the Cycle of Deprivation?
The cycle where a family living in poverty is unable to improve their lifestyle due to negative factors of low income, poor housing and education which keeps it in a state of poverty.
What issues are facing remote rural areas?
Depopulation + high level of poverty + deprivation experienced by villagers who remain.
Define sustainable community
A community which is designed to have minimal impact on the environment.
How can we create sustainable rural communities?
Reliability + frequency of public transport
Availability of jobs - securing investment from companies
Internet connections - fast, reliable broadband available
Education - village schools open, wider range subjects, specialist staff
Healthcare - access to all aspects, transport if required
Village services - encourage shops, pubs, post office remain open
Green technologies - promoting use of renewable energy
What are 4 different types of rural places?
Deep Green
Rapid Change
Leisure and amenity
Coastal Retirement
Give 3 reasons why the number of commuters have increased since the 1960s?
Growth of motorway network
Cheaper mass produced cars
House prices
Fast rail links
What is the main issue facing towns and cities due to the increased number of commuters?
Traffic congestion
Give 3 potential solutions to an increased number of commuters?
Park and Ride Schemes
Bus lanes
Cycle routes
Flexi hours of work
What are 2 key issues Oxford faces?
Traffic congestion
Very high house prices
What do we mean by 2nd home?
Somebody lives in one home but has another they use for holidays or to rent out - usually in rural or coastal areas.
What key issue does 2nd home ownership create for local people trying to buy houses?
Rural house prices increase and young local people struggle to afford them.
Why are 2nd homes being rented out as holiday homes a problem for local people?
In the winter they are empty so local services start declining.
Give an example of a remote rural area.
Highlands in Scotlands
What problems are remote rural areas facing?
Low incomes and part time work leading to deprivation (poverty/poor).
Lack of services eg health services, schools, adult education + infrequent public transport leading to depopulation.
