UK challenges Flashcards
8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
Changes in the UK’s population in the next 50 years and implications on resource consumption
- The UK’s population has grown considerably since the year 2000 and projections show that this will continue to grow over the next 50 years.
- This growth will have implications on resources
- People will need more food to eat, more water to drink and will use more energy, which will put pressure on resources
Pressures of growing populations on the UK’s
ecosystems.
- This challenge relates to the fact that the UK’s population is predicted to grow in the next 50 yeas and focuses the impact of this on the ecosystems of the UK
- The more people that live in the country, the greater the pressure there is, not only to supply the populations with the food that it requires but also to provide houses and transport routes
- This involves the removal of vegetation, and therefore ecosystems to provide homes for people
Range of national sustainable transport
options for the UK.
-If the population of the UK continues to grow at the current rate, towns and cities will have to provide more sustainable transport options because the problems of not enough space for all the private cars on the road
- Car sharing
- 2+ lanes
- Bus lanes, cycle lanes and walking paths
- Congestion charge
- Restricted parking in central urban areas
The ‘two-speed economy’
- The difference between the growth of the South East of the UK and the rest of the country is becoming more marked
- Companies prefer have to their HQs in this area, especially London, because there are better transport routes here to both Europe and the rest of the world
- They also believe that firms located in London are thought of in a better light by other companies
- This has led to higher wages in London, but houses prices and the cost of living are also higher
Options for bridging the gap between south east and the rest of the UK
- Some companies have moved their head offices away from the capital because of the expensive living costs and housing. Eg; HSBC moved to Birmingham
- The government has also moved some of its key departments out of the south east, for example, passport office has moved to Cardiff
- The government is also trying to create links between the large cities in the north through roads and railways to encourage companies to locate there.
- It is also building a high speed train link to the midlands and the north of the UK. The belief is that if people can travel swiftly to and from London then companies are more likely to locate out of the south east
Greenfield development
When houses and other buildings are built on land at the edge of the city that has never been built on before
Brownfield development
Land within a city that is no longer used; it may contain old factories or housing or it may have been cleared for redevelopment
Benefits of greenfield development
- Originally unoccupied, therefore develops can build as they wish
- Plenty of space for car parking and landscaping to improve the working landscape
- Cheaper land due to being further away from city
- Lower construction costs as there is noting to knock down or renew
- Access to development is easier as roads are not congested
Costs of greenfield development
- Infrastructure such as gas, water and electricity will not be present
- Urban sprawl disturb natural habitats and wildlife
- More difficult to get planning permission
- Living on the edge of the city may increase commute for some people
Benefits of brownfield development
- Easy for company to get planing permission as government is actively encouraging the use of these sites
- The infrastructure, such as power and water, is already there so there is no disruption to the system
- Greenfield sites are not used, so lessens urban sprawl
Costs of brownfield development
- Land costs are higher as it is closer to the city centre
- Perception of contaminated environment puts perspective buyers off
- Complete environmental survey is needed because of the past use, which is costly and time consuming
UK net migration statistics and their reliability
- Net migration statistics show the difference between the number of people entering and leaving a country
- In the UK the number is rising as more people in Europe and the rest of the world wish to live in the UK
- The reliability of these numbers can be a problem , both for the people making the statistics and the government. The government only has records of people who come into the country legally. Many come without being recorded and without permission
Values and attitudes of different stakeholders towards migration.
Government spokesperson - willing to do jobs British people wont do/ pressure on services like NHS and an increase in child benefit claims
Shopkeeper - more people living in towns as more goods are sold
Local residents - add to cultural mix/ new food
Police officer - have to employ translators
Approaches to conservation and development of UK National Parks
- National parks are areas of land that have outstanding value in terms of their natural beauty, environment or recreational value
- The designation of an area as a national park gives it special protection and means that resources are available to promote and manage tourism
- Special funds are available to landowners and there are certain restrictions apply on development of these areas
- Much of land in the UK’s national parks are privately owned, National trust owns some of the lad and therefore has a say in the management of these areas
Describe role of National Park Authorities
Each of the national parks are run by their own national park authority, which has two statutory purposes:
- Conserve and enhance natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area
- Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of park’s special qualities by the public
- Main power of national park authority is to control development, hire rangers
- Plan
