Topic 5: The UK's Evolving Human Landscape

Question 1

Describe the urban core of the UK in terms of Population Density, Age Structure, Economic Activities and Settlement. (4)

Answer 1

• Population density is high (1)
• Many young, single adults (1)
• There are large shops, offices factories (1), many jobs avaliable (1)
• Low and high-rise buildings (1), more expensive property (1)

Question 2

Describe the rural areas of the UK (4)

Answer 2

• Low population density (1)
• Many older people (1)
• Farming, fishing, forestry, mining (1)
• Low rise buildings (1), generally cheaper property (1)

Question 3

Explain the structure of the Central Business District (CBD)

Answer 3

The CBD is the centre of a city and is dominated by shops, office blocks, banks and other services. Building density is very high with some open green space and with good quality environment.

Question 4

Explain the structure of the Comprehensive Development Areas (CDA’s)

Answer 4

CDA’s have tower blocks and blocks of high density flats. There are few shops and very little open green space.

Question 5

Explain the structure of the Suburbs

Answer 5

The Suburbs were usually built in the 19th century. The density of buildings are way lower , land use is usually housing with a few shops with good quality green space.

Question 6

What is decentralisation?

Answer 6

Decentralisation is when shops, services and shopping areas are built in the suburbs or near the urban-rural fringe. This would attract people away from the CBD and towards the suburb areas.

Question 7

Why do people migrate to Birmingham?

Answer 7

People migrate into and around Birmingham because of ‘Pull Factors’, such as good jobs and good quality housing, low crime rates and good education and services

Question 8

State what a Transnational corporation is.

Answer 8

• Large companies that operate in different countries.

Question 9

Why is there inequality in Birmingham? [4]

Answer 9

Discrimination against new migrants due to race, [1] therefore less service and opportunities are presented [1]

Rapid population growth can make areas crowded [1] therefore cities find it hard to provide the population with necessities [1]

Question 10

Free trade is important in the EU. State the definition of free trade.

Answer 10

• The free movement of goods and services in an area (the EU).

Question 11

Describe what happened in Slum clearances and Redevelopment schemes.

Answer 11

70% of 19th Century housing in CDA’s were deemed unfit to live in. As a result of this large areas of flats and terraced housing were destroyed in order to redevelop the houses. Population in CDA’s decreased as people didn’t move back.

Question 12

What is the Urban - Rural fringe?

Answer 12

The area where urban and rural land use mixes.

Question 13

Identify 2-4 impacts of international migration.

Answer 13

• Providing cheap and unskilled, and skilled labour.
• Increase of population density and pressure on services to provide.
• As migrants as families and children, there is an increase in the number of children in the area, bringing benefits.
• Introduction of migrants home culture. (cuisine, religion)

Question 14

What is a Foreign Direct Investment? (FDI)

Answer 14

• The flow of money from businesses in one country to another.

Question 15

What is Gentrification? Give an example of a gentrified area [3]

Answer 15

Gentrification is the process of when older areas of the city become culturally desirable, [1] so wealthier people move in and change the area. [1]

Moseley became gentrified as entrepreneurs moved in due to desired features [1]

Question 16

Give 2 effects of privatisation on UK firms.

Answer 16

• Increased FDI from businesses investing in the UK.
• Increased awareness and competition of markets.
• Increased foreign ownership of UK firms.
• Increase in efficiency, with loss of jobs in the UK
• Profits from some UK - based firms abroad.

Question 17

What is Studentification? Give an example of a studentified area [3]

Answer 17

Studentification is the change in an area of the city by increasing numbers of students moving. [1]

Selly Oak [1] as students bring new cultures which spread in Selly Oak [1]

Question 18

What is Regeneration? Give an example of regenerated areas [3]

Answer 18

Regeneration is the revival of old run down areas for public use [1]

Longbridge had been regenerated after a large brownfield site was left [1] £1 billion was spent to regenerate [1]

Question 19

How has Eco-housing make life more sustainable and improved quality?

Answer 19

Eco-Housing has allowed for high standard in terms of energy efficiency, space, and design while keeping it affordable, persuading more people to buy the homes. (Northfield - Municipal Housing Trust)

Question 20

Why does Rural to Urban migration occur?

Answer 20

• This is when people who live in an area of few job opportunities move to an area with many job opportunities.

Question 21

What is Rebranding?

Answer 21

Rebranding is changing the image of an area by positively advertising the area.

Question 22

How has Green Transport made life more sustainable and improved?

Answer 22

More public bus routes have been built to reduce car pollution, which persuades more people to use bus routes. Other initiatives include more bicycle lanes and electric car charging points, therefore reducing CO2 emissions.

Question 23

What is retirement migration?

Why does it occur? [2]

Answer 23

• This is the process of older people who decide to retire to a different part of the UK.
• Lower crime rates in rural areas [1]
• Attractions such as scenery and location [1]

Question 24

State what Globalisation is.

Answer 24

• The growing importance of international operations for all sectors.

Question 25

State what Privatisation is.

Answer 25

• Privatising UK industries such as steel and transport.

Question 26

Describe 2 impacts on a city due to migration inwards [4]

Answer 26

Services will be more stressed as more is needed [1] so more areas will become deprived of them [1]

Age structure will change, [1] as migrants will have families. [1]

Question 27

Explain how job losses have created challenges in Birmingham [2]

Answer 27

Factories and warehouses were demolished to build roads, [1] therefore many people lost jobs and income [1]

Question 28

Give 3 reasons for rapid economic growth in Birmingham [3]

Answer 28

A skilled and qualified labour force [1]
Improved transport links with the rest of the UK [1]
Growing importance of finance and business companies [1]

Question 29

State 4 ways in which Birmingham is interdependent with rural areas. [4]

Answer 29

Rural areas give space for urban growth [1]
Rural areas supply water to Birmingham [1]
Urban areas provide services to rural areas [1]
Urban areas supply manufactured goods from factories to rural areas [1]

Question 30

Identify 2 costs and benefits of interdependence between rural and urban areas [4]

Answer 30

Costs:
- Rising cost of rural land is not ideal for building new homes [1]
- Loss of fertile farming land as more homes are built in rural areas [1]

Benefits:
- Farmers make money from land sale to housing developers [1]
- Homes built in rural areas ease pressure on housing in urban areas [1]