Urban change in the UK and urban sustainability Flashcards
How much of the UK live in towns and cities?
82%
Describe the location of London
Major city in the northern hemispshere
NW Europe
Located in SE England on the River Thames
Describe the importance of London
Major financial centre in the world
UK’s largest and wealthiest city
Headquarters of many international and national companies
How has migration impacted the character of London socially?
There are over 300 languages spoken in London, more that in any other city in the world
A more youthful population. London’s median age is 35.6 in comparison to the UK’s 40.3 median age
London has a diverse range of religions with 48.4% Christian, 20.7% atheist, 12.4% Muslims and 5% Hindu
A greater understanding and experience of different cultures. For example, Chinatown in London was established in the late 1960s and is full of restaurants, shops and cultural buildings
40% of London’s NHS workers are immigrants
How has migration impacted the character of London economically?
The economic value generated by London’s 1.8m migrant workers is £83bn per year
Migrants are paying taxes-more money for the economy
What is an integrated transport system?
All of the different forms of transport can link to one another
To what extent does London have an integrated transport system - give specific details
London has an integrated transport system to a strong extent.
For example, many trains and buses stop at major international airports like Heathrow and Gatwick and link these to places like Kings Cross
In addition, London commuters can travel on most forms of transport using an oyster cards which can easily be topped up at stations, stores or online
London also has the London Overground and Underground, buses and the Docklands Light Railway
What is urban greening?
To increase the amount and proportion of green spaces within a city. It is essential for people’s quality of life
How does London provide for urban greening?
Rooftop green spaces
Green spaces for public
Define cultural mix
Coexistence of different cultures at the same place at the same time
Define multiculturalism
Refers to a country or place that has more than one culture living together in close proximity
What are some advantages of London’s cultural mix?
Exposure to other languages, religions and cultural parties
Highlights what broadly tolerant and liberal the citizens of London are
Skilled migrants can fill gaps in economy and services
What are some challenges of London’s cultural mix?
Ghettos
Language-many services need to provide translators
Some ethnic groups are targeted for attacks and hate crimes
Hostility can rise from segregation
Describe recreation and entertainment within London?
West end-lots of shows
Tourist attractions: Buckingham palace and Houses of Parliament
Lots of concert and cinema venues
Many big name football teams
Hosted the Olympics
List the top 3 reasons to live in London because of employment opportunities
Largest contributor to the country
Houses a major world financial centre and a range of business specialisms
In 2010, London contributed 22% of economy
Describe economic change in London
Traditional manufacturing industries have declined
New industries such as finance and services have emerged
London Docklands have transformed into financial and business centre
How has London’s population changed and grown?
37% of London’s population were born outside the UK
Brick lane in Tower Hamlets is home to the Bangladeshi community
Population of London has grown to over 8 million
Use a case study of a major UK city to assess the extent to which urban change has created social and economic opportunities
Intro:
- Capital city
- Significant urban changes
- Created social and economic opportunities
Para 1:
- Social (cultural mix)
- Population has become ethnically diverse
- Exposure to different languages and religions
Para 2:
- Economic (economic change)
- Largest contributor to economy
- Major financial centre
Para 3:
- Economic (urban development)
- Shopping centres and stadiums
- More jobs and economic opportunities
What is urban decline?
It is the deterioration of parts of the inner city often caused by closure of industry, lack of investment and maintenance
What is the effect of urban decline?
Decline in population numbers (out-migration)
Shops and business close down
Unemployment
What is urban deprivation?
Part of the city which lacks things that are essential for a decent life including work, money, housing and services
How has urban change created socio-economic challenges in London? (health)
Life expectancy is high in rich areas such as the centre of London and Canary Wharf but low in places like Prince Regent
In Canary Wharf, Life expectancy is 89 and in Prince Regent it is 76
People who are rich can afford better food, healthcare and overall a better life
New urban development in areas such as Canary Wharf causes inequality
How is creating greenspace a key feature of sustainable living?
Improves air quality and reduces and flooding by absorbing rain water provides a place for recreation
How is water conservation a key feature of sustainable living?
Management of water resources and prevention of pollution
How is public transport a key feature of sustainable living?
Reduces need for cars and therefore reduces carbon footprint
How is waste recycling a key feature of sustainable living?
Reduces landfill waste
Reduces demand for resources
How is energy conservation a key feature of sustainable living?
Reduce the use of fossil fuels which reduces carbon emission
East village, Stratford (Newham, London) background information
East Village is a housing development which was built to house the athletes for the London Olympics in 2012
Converted into use as a new residential area
Example of sustainable urban community in London
Example of green space (urban greening) in East village
10 hectares of parkland with hundreds of planted trees and ponds
-This encourage wildlife and helps to purify the air. It also reduced flooding
Green roofs on top of apartment blocks
Example of waste recycling in East village
Borough council collects recycling
Example of energy conservation in East village
A combined heat and power system generates electricity using biomass (renewable)
The heat from the power station provides hot water for the village.
Blocks have efficient insulation-retains heat
Energy use is 30% less than an average urban area
Example of water conservation in East village
Rainwater is collected and water is recycled known as ‘grey water’: used for flushing toilets and watering gardens.
This conserves the best quality water for drinking
Water use is 50% less than an average urban area
Example of transport in East village
Local bus service and trains connect to London Underground.
Stratford International provides a fast route to central London and Europe
Good cycling and walking routes encourage people out of their cars
Other features of sustainable urban communities in East village
A school and a health centre
Shops and services are run by small, independent business, helping to keep money in the local economy and avoid the need to shop elsewhere.
Half of the homes are rented at lower rates so that ordinary people in East village can afford them
What are the advantages of brownfield sites?
The sites are closer to the city centre for shopping and job opportunities
It is easier to gain planning permission as councils are keen to reuse brownfield sites
Road networks already exits as do electricity and gas networks, although these may need updating
They stop urban sprawl (the city expanding) which stops the loss the countryside and reduces journey times as the city is more compact
It is more sustainable as existing developing land has been used before
What are the advantages of greenfield sites?
Existing road networks are not in place so they don’t restrict planning
Planners and architects have a blank canvas to work with
They are often on the edges of cities where land is cheaper
More space is available for gardens
The rural-urban fringe is more appealing to house buyers and businesses
Sites on the edge of the city are often close to major motorways providing great access
What is the definition of Decentralisation?
Moving offices away from the city centre to the outskirts
How is air pollution an environmental challenge in London?
It is better than it was in the mid 20th century
The main problems today are vehicle emissions and heating systems
Made worse by dense road network and tall buildings that trap air in between them
Nearly 9,500 people die each year because of air pollution
3/4 of UK postcodes with the worst pollution ratings are in London
What is a solution to air pollution?
Congestion charge (£11.50) -Reduces traffics
London low emission zone
- discourages diesel cards
- reduces echaust gas emissions
London cycle superhighway (2008)
Boris bikes/Santander cycles
-Public bike hire
How is waste pollution an environmental challenge in London?
London produces huge amounts of waste
The average household recycling rate for the city in London was 32%-the lowest in England
What is a solution to waste pollution?
London waste management strategy
- To achieve zero waste to Landfill 2025
- Increase recycling, reusing, repairing
- Generate energy from London’s organic waste
How is visual pollution an environmental challenge?
There is a great pressure for land to build on in London
Developers are often using greenfield sites on edge of city-urban sprawl
Brownfield sites are often unsightly and a sign of urban decline
What is the definition of dereliction?
When buildings have been abandoned and become dilapidated
What are some causes of urban sprawl?
Decentralisation of offices
Transport changes
New industry and business districts/out-of-town shopping centre
Housing development
What are some environmental impacts of urban sprawl?
Increased need for cars to travel long distances to work means that there is more traffic and congestion on the roads and more pollution
Modern housing estates, retail parks and supermarkets are built in commuter towns which changed the look and feel of the area
The increase in traffic and transport can cause noise and visual pollution
More built surfaces on previously green land means that floods are more likely because the rain cannot soak into the ground
What are some social impacts of urban sprawl?
The character of the rural community is lost as commuter towns start to bring city-living style living to the commuter towns
What are some economic impacts of urban sprawl?
Providing public transport for people to commute to the city is costly
Commuter towns can be like ‘ghost towns’ during the day as all the workers leave to work in the city. This means that there is no one to use the services and shops
City workers tend to earn more money than the original residents in commuter towns. This means that house prices increase as people selling houses sell to the richer city workers. This means the original residents can’t afford homes there
Characteristics of commuter settlements
Young population
Empty during weekdays
Less of a community feel
What are the negatives of traffic congestion?
Air pollution
Increased journey times
Higher fuel consumption
Greater risk of accidents
Traffic congestion solutions
Charge more (congestion and ULEZ)
Improving public transport
-Create a fast efficient and reliable service (eg use bus lanes)
Pedestrian areas
-Reduce congestion around busy shopping areas making it safe for people
Park and ride
-Reduces congestion in city centre
Cycling
- Create cycle pathways to encourage people to use bikes, not cars
- Public bike hire schemes
What is the definition of regeneration?
Improvement of a run-down area of a city
What are some main features and impacts of Stratford’s regeneration?
Increase affordable housing (Athlete’s village was converted into houses for local people)
Improved infrastructure-transport improvements
Tackle unemployment-Westfield Shopping Centre and International Quarter has helped create thousands of jobs
Improve the environment- Contaminated land and brownfield sites were reclaimed to create new wildlife and parks
