Urban Change Flashcards
How do cities attract people due to their economic position?
Cities attract people from rural areas because they offer more job opportunities and jobs are often better paid. As the urban population increases, businesses such as factories and shops grow in size and become more profitable. This leads to more jobs and wage rises. As countries develop, commercial farming overtakes subsistence farming as the primary method or food production. The decline in agricultural jobs drives even more people into towns and cities.
How do cities differ socially to rural areas?
Cities tend to have higher living standards than rural areas, e.g. better access to healthcare and education which attracts people. As more people move to the city and the economy grows, it can become a centre for cultural expression, e.g. museums and art galleries open. The migration of people into urban areas increases the mix of people from different social backgrounds. This can make people more tolerant of others, creating a welcoming environment that attracts more migrants. However, segregation of people from different social backgrounds is also common.
How do cities technology differ to rural areas?
With the emergence of factories in cities, urban areas become hotspots for technological advancement. For example. in the 19th century, Manchester became the first industrialised city in the world and was branded ‘Cottonopolis’ because of its cotton - processing factories. More recently, areas with a large number of high tech industries have emerged, e.g. Silicon Valley in California. These areas attract people because they offer specialised and highly paid jobs.
Describe the inequalities as a result of urban growth?
Urban growth may lead to increased inequalities between rich and poor people. A new ‘working class’ emerges, often made up of people who work in manufacturing industries. New political movements emerge to represent the ‘working class’ population. Political reform focuses on issues that affect urban life, e.g. poor sanitation, quality of housing, working conditions in factories.
Describe the process of deindustrialisation?
In the 1960’s, some developing nations, such as Singapore and Taiwan, became industrialised. These countries were able to produce goods at a cheaper price than Europe or North America, mainly due to lower labour costs. By the 1970’s, the developed world was struggling to compete with the products being manufactured in the developing world. Entire industries collapsed, e.g steel in Sheffield, which led to mass unemployment and poverty. In the UK, deindustrialisation caused unemployment to rise above 3 million in 1983.
Describe the rise of service economy?
During the 1980’s, many service industries began to expand and dominate western economies. These industries have been responsible for the majority of economic growth in developed countries since deindustrialisation.
Describe the process of decentralisation?
As land prices in city centres increase, businesses such as shops and offices may relocate to suburbs. This has led to the rise of out of town retail parks, e.g. Meadowhall near Sheffield. Decentralisation has caused city centre shops and offices to close- this has led to buildings being abandoned, job losses and urban poverty.
How do cities technology differ to rural areas?
With the emergence of factories in cities, urban areas become hotspots for technological advancement. For example. in the 19th century, Manchester became the first industrialised city in the world and was branded ‘Cottonopolis’ because of its cotton - processing factories. More recently, areas with a large number of high tech industries have emerged, e.g. Silicon Valley in California. These areas attract people because they offer specialised and highly paid jobs.
Describe the inequalities as a result of urban growth?
Urban growth may lead to increased inequalities between rich and poor people. A new ‘working class’ emerges, often made up of people who work in manufacturing industries. New political movements emerge to represent the ‘working class’ population. Political reform focuses on issues that affect urban life, e.g. poor sanitation, quality of housing, working conditions in factories.
Describe the change in demographic as a result of urban growth?
As cities become larger and wealthier, they attract migrants from all over the world. Urban areas become more culturally and ethnically diverse and new areas emerge. e.g. Chinatown in New York City. Many young people are attracted by jobs and entertainment. They often choose to stay and raise families in the city, so cities tend to have a younger population than rural areas.
Describe the process of deindustrialisation?
In the 1960’s, some developing nations, such as Singapore and Taiwan, became industrialised. These countries were able to produce goods at a cheaper price than Europe or North America, mainly due to lower labour costs. By the 1970’s, the developed world was struggling to compete with the products being manufactured in the developing world. Entire industries collapsed, e.g steel in Sheffield, which led to mass unemployment and poverty. In the UK, deindustrialisation caused unemployment to rise above 3 million in 1983.
Describe the rise of service economy?
During the 1980’s, many service industries began to expand and dominate western economies. These industries have been responsible for the majority of economic growth in developed countries since deindustrialisation.
Describe the process of decentralisation?
As land prices in city centres increase, businesses such as shops and offices may relocate to suburbs. This has led to the rise of out of town retail parks, e.g. Meadowhall near Sheffield. Decentralisation has caused city centre shops and offices to close- this has led to buildings being abandoned, job losses and urban poverty.
Describe the urban development corporation scheme?
By 1979, many UK city centres were in catastrophic decline. The government created agencies called Urban Development Corporations, which used private sector funding to restore derelict areas. The first UDC’s were established in 1981 in the London Docklands and Liverpool. The main aim of the London Docklands UDC were to attract new businesses, improve the local environment, create jobs and build new houses for professionals. Between 1981 and 1998, the Corporation built 24000 new homes, and created 85000 water sports centre and Surrey Quays shopping centre.
