Urban Change in a Major UK City: London Case Study Flashcards
Location and Background
London is the capital city of the UK. It is located in the SE of England. The population of the city is c. 9m. The city grew around the River Thames
London City’s Importance
• UK’s largest & wealthiest city
• Along with New York, London is one of the
world’s most important financial centers
• HQs of many international companies
based in London
• National & International centres for:
education, legal, medical, culture, media
• Attracts investment from all around the world
Migration to London
Jewish refugees came from Eastern Europe and
more recently economic migrants from Bangladesh.
Today, London’s population comes from all over the world. Large numbers from countries like India, Nigeria and Jamaica (former British Empire).
More recently, refugees have arrived from Syria and Iraq. Since 2007, migrants have come from Eastern Europe with the free movement of people in the EU.
London City’s Opportunities Social:
London has various cultural attractions such as the upcoming Shoreditch area.
Popular with young people, recreation, entertainment, and new creative industries.
Transport – Crossrail.
London City’s Opportunities Economic:
LDDC used private investment.
Canary Wharf and high-rise office blocks now home to international banks.
Over 100,000 people work here.
Est. London as a world-leading financial centre.
London City’s Opportunities Environmental:
London is one of the world’s greenest cities.
47% Greenspace. Central London parks, local parks, and suburban growth e.g. gardens. Cycling superhighways.
London City Challenges Social
Social deprivation & inequality e.g. life expectancy differences, qualifications. Kensington & Chelsea Vs. Newham. Lack of homes and affordable housing.
London City Challenges Economic:
Decline and closure of London Docklands loss of blue-collar employment. Subsidiary jobs lost. Recent recession closure of many financial businesses. Uncertainty created through BREXIT.
City Challenges Environmental:
Maintaining green spaces. The pressure of building on brownfield and new greenfield sites. Building new homes on the Green belt. Air pollution from vehicles/heating systems
London Regeneration Project
Olympic Park – Lower Lea Valley
- Former industrial area deprived part of the city
- Low-income housing, poor services
- Derelict area, industrial wasteland
- Close proximity to central London
London Regeneration Projects ODA
- Compulsory purchase & decontamination
* Bridges cables underground & landscaping
London Regeneration Projects 2012
2012
- Modern sports arenas inc. Olympic stadium
- Tourist attractions
- Natural habitats (newts)
• Athletes Village now affordable housing for
local people TRIATHLON homes
• Footpaths & cycleways
what are the social opportunities of the Stratford regeneration project
Social - by 2030, more than 10,000 new homes will have been built in the park. Five new neighbourhoods, with lots of green spaces planned in, will be built and around a third of those houses will be affordable. A new academy has been built, which is used to educate around 2,000 pupils between the ages of 3 to 18.
what are the economic opportunities of the Stratford regeneration project
Stratford is now a well-connected area of London, which allows commuters to travel to work easily. New jobs in construction and tourism have created a multiplier effect. It is estimated that over 20,000 jobs could be created by 2030, bringing more than £5 billion into the area.
what are the environmental opportunities of Stratford regeneration project
the Olympic bid was partly successful on the basis of sustainability. The park is sustainable in a number of ways, eg walking and cycling routes, the provision of public transport, the water-efficient design of homes and the protection of green spaces and natural habitats.
