Urban

Question 1

What are the main issues in Glasgow’s housing?

Answer 1

Growing student population, more single-person households, landlords neglecting repairs, damp tower blocks, urban sprawl, and increasing homelessness due to rising living costs.

Question 2

What are the three main areas addressed for housing solutions in Glasgow?

Answer 2

Sighthill, Dalmarnock, and Gorbals.

Question 3

What is the purpose of the Garden Bridge in Sighthill?

Answer 3

To increase access to the CBD for jobs and education opportunities for Sighthill residents.

A negative is that residents think the bridge is an eyesore due to its deliberate rusty appearance.

Question 4

What improvements were made in Sighthill Park?

Answer 4

The park was rebuilt to include play parks, allotments, and a leisure center to improve residents’ mental health and prolong life expectancy.

One positive is that it will encourage families with children to move to the area.

Question 5

What type of housing was built in Sighthill?

Answer 5

A mixture of 600 private homes and 200 mid-market rental homes.

A negative is that affordable housing decreased dramatically from 5000 to 141.

Question 6

What is the Legacy Hub in Dalmarnock?

Answer 6

A community center that includes a nursery, GP surgery, dental surgery, and pharmacy to improve the quality of life for local residents.

A negative is that it closed in 2019, forcing residents to travel further for services.

Question 7

What was the purpose of the Athletes Village in Dalmarnock?

Answer 7

Originally built for the Commonwealth Games, it was later converted into housing, including 400 social housing units.

A negative is that some residents were forced to move during construction.

Question 8

What is the housing regeneration in Gorbals?

Answer 8

New houses designed as a modern take on tenement flats, reflecting traditional heritage while modernizing them.

An advantage is that it includes shared gardens for socializing.

Question 9

What are the main traffic issues in Glasgow?

Answer 9

Narrow streets in the CBD, increased car ownership, frequent road repairs, rush hour congestion, and limited bridging points across the River Clyde.

Question 10

What is the M74 Extension?

Answer 10

A motorway that allows cars to bypass narrow CBD streets, saving around 15 minutes on journey times.

A negative is that it required residents to leave their homes for construction.

Question 11

What is the purpose of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Glasgow?

Answer 11

To allow only low emitting vehicles in the CBD, improving air quality and encouraging the uptake of low emitting vehicles.

This benefits health, particularly for the very old and young.

Question 12

What are bus lanes in Glasgow?

Answer 12

Lanes designated for buses and taxis during rush hours to reduce journey times for buses and improve traffic flow.

A negative is that more needs to be done to encourage bus usage.

Question 13

What improvements were made to public transport in Glasgow?

Answer 13

Improvements include better seating, plug sockets, and complimentary WiFi to encourage usage.

Queen Street station was upgraded to accommodate larger trains.

Question 14

What are multi-story car parks in Glasgow?

Answer 14

Car parks built to reduce street parking in the city center.

A negative is that they may not be suitable for future electric cars.

Question 15

What are the main housing issues in Rio?

Answer 15

Lack of basic facilities, houses built from scrap materials, overcrowding, informal settlements, and lack of public utilities.

Question 16

What was the purpose of the favela clearances in Rio?

Answer 16

To improve the appearance of the area for visitors before the 2016 Olympic Games.

A negative is that clearances were ineffective as people would relocate.

Question 17

What are self-help schemes in Rio?

Answer 17

Programs using local skills and government materials to upgrade housing, fostering ownership and community spirit.

A negative is that success relies on local motivation.

Question 18

What is the aim of pacification in Rio?

Answer 18

To regain control of favelas from drug gangs to improve safety and quality of life.

A negative is that police were accused of violent behavior.

Question 19

What are superblocks in Rio?

Answer 19

High-rise flats built to rehouse people from favelas with basic amenities.

A negative is that many could not afford the mortgage costs.

Question 20

What are the main traffic issues in Rio?

Answer 20

Surrounding mountains complicate traffic management, leading to congestion, accidents, and pollution.

Question 21

What is the Rio-Niteroi Bridge?

Answer 21

A bridge connecting Rio to Niteroi, saving commuters an 80km drive around the bay.

A negative is that it still experiences bottlenecks during rush hours.

Question 22

What is the Yellow Line Expressway?

Answer 22

A toll road bypassing the busy city center, connecting Barra da Tijuca to the international airport.

It cut journey times by 45 minutes and removed 40% of local traffic.

Question 23

What is the BRT system in Rio?

Answer 23

A Bus Rapid Transit system connecting key areas, using larger bendy buses.

A negative is that it has faced criticism for fare increases and service quality.

Question 24

What is Metro Rio?

Answer 24

An underground rail system that has been extended to relieve pressure on congested routes.

It is relatively cheap and considered the safest mode of transport in Rio.

Question 25

What is the purpose of cable cars in Rio?

Answer 25

To connect favelas to the city, significantly reducing travel time.

A negative is that the project was expensive, delaying other improvements in the favelas.