Urban Enviroments Flashcards
What is urbanisation
Growth of towns and cities which leads to an increasing percentage of a country’s population living in urban settlements
What is An urban area more likely to be like
More built up and densely populated , much more accessible as it would hAve to be designed with god transport links . More people have tertiary jobs in an rural area more people have primary sector jobs.urban areas make money from manufacturing / services . Rural areas make money from agriculture
What are rural settlements
Hamlets / villages
What are the push factors for urbanisation
People move away from something they don’t like - lack of services , lack of investment , lack of opurtunities , low pay , drought and flooding , rural poverty
What are pull factors for urbanisation
Pull factor - people attracted to an area of more benefit to them / Good transport links , excellent job prospects , lots of things to do , better housing , better quality of life , better services , better paid jobs
How much of the worlds population live in cities
Half
Mega city
City of urban area with a population more than 10 million
Why do megacities grow
Economies of scale - financial savings in transport and communication is easier between people and businesses as everything is in one city . The enonomy is sustained by fast economic growth
Multiplier effect - once a city starts to develop it draws in more people and businessss
High rates of population growth - high rural to urban migration and natural increase .
How has the amount of megacities changed
1950 - 2 New York and Tokyo
2010- 23 with 2 in Africa
More megacities in lIcs than before
What are locational needs
Similar businesses need the same thing e. G shops need a centeral location with lots of people walking by
What is gentrification
Conversion of previously working class inner city areas to middle class residence . The areas are refurbished
What were inner city areas like
Terraced housing was built in the 19th century for factory workers around the CBD. In the first half of the 20th century people and businensss moved out to new homes and premises in the suburbs and left behind empty buildings which were filled by poor families who could not afford the suburbs .inner city was left to decay until 1960s when redevelopment took place high rise buildings were built to provide low cost flats filled by poorer families. Deindustrilisation took place in factories were abandoned .left huge stock of brownfield sights . Only one oarent families , students and ethnic minority’s lived in the areas
Why are inner city areas changing
Difficult commuting from suburbs and dormitory towns to workplaces in the cbd peoole wondered why not live in the city. Brownfield sights are being used for expensive housing and old factories are being converted into flats. City is seen as the cool place to live and money is being invested by developers to improve services and environmental quality .
Inner city 19th c
Suburbs built around the core of the city close to factories where residents worked
Inner city 29th c
People and business move to new locations in the suburbs . Terraced houses left empty or occupied by those who can’t afford to move to suburbs
Inner city 60s
Redevelopment begins. Terraced housing is bulldozed for low cost high rise flats to solve overcrowding in London
Inner city 2000s
Inner city becomes concentration of students , ethnic minorities, one parent families and poorer families . De industrialisation leaves factory buildings empty and local residents jobless
Inner city today
As commuting routes become more crowded and the cost of travel increases people move back to the inner suburbs . Gentrification of housing and factories
What is deprivation
When a persons well being falls below a level which is thought of as an acceptable minimum .
What are the 7 factors of deprivation
Income , health , education , employment , crime , access to houses and services , living environment known as multiple deprivation index
Why is crime increased and deprived areas
People are despondent in deprived areas as they are unemployed and become bored and resort to petty crime in despair
What is the cycle of poverty
Lack of occupational skills - poverty , low wages , unemployment
Poor accommodation - slums overcrowding
Poor health - stress , strain
Poor education
What is urban sprawl
Spreading outwards of the city and it’s suburbs leading to changes in the surrounding area .
Rural urban fringe
When urban and rural land uses become mixed . As the rural urban fringe become More residential , commercial developments are built.
What are examples of commercial land use
Retail parks , business parks and science parks
What has happened in HiCs with out of town retailing
Purpose built superstores and shopping centres are located at or just beyond the urban fringe , most people own cars and can park them for free in Large car parks. Access is easy as shopping centres are located near highways and main roads
Why is out of town retailing better than inner city
In city shops face traffic congestion and expensive parking . Big retail developer can draw in people from more than one towin or city
What are industrial estates
Areas of modern light and service industries with a planned layout and purpose built road networks
What are business parks
Created by property Developers to attract firms needing office accommodation rather than industrial units . Business parks often include leisure activities like restrunts , ice rinks , cinemas
What are science parks
Located close to university or research centre with the aim of encouraging and developing high tech industries and Quaternary activities
What is Lakeside shopping centre
Located in West Thurrock. It is one of Europe’s largest shopping areas. It is near to the M25 which makes it very accessible. 92% of visitors travel by car.
Why did it located in West Thurrock
Land is cheaper, there is plenty of space for a large mall and carparks, rates and rents are lower than in the city, shops can be bigger, location near to sob urban housing attracts shoppers and workers, near a Number of motorway intersections equals great access ability and access to large spare of influence
Reasons for sprawl in HiCs
Middle class move to outer suburbs to enjoy larger houses, clean air and more space .
Business relocate to suburbs where there is more room . Employment opportunities are now availabke in the suburbs and offices are spacious.
Local government decided to build out of town shopping centres and golf courses for more room
Population is growing more space needed
Transport initiatives make it easier to live out of the city but commute to the city everyday
Reason for sprawl in LIcs
Land in CBD is too expensive squatter settlements develop on the edges of cities without permission from authorities population is growing more space needed
How is the fringe protected
By green belt land which is rural land around the cities protected from large scale housing and other development . Protected by planning and development policies.
How much land in England is greenbelt
13%
What does green belt aim to do
Protect countryside from urban sprawl
Encourage regeneration within towns and cities
Prevent towns from merging into one another
Brownfield
Land that has been previously used abandoned and now awaits a new use usually in inner city areas
Greenfield
Land that has not been used for urban development us usually on the rural urban fringe
Advantages of brownfield
Reduces Loss of countryside and land that might be put to agricultural or recreational use. Helps to revive old and disused urban areas. Services such as water, electricity gas and sewerage already in place. Located nearer to main areas of employment, so commuting reduced
Advantage of greenfield
Relatively cheap and rates of housebuilding Faster. The layout is not hampered by previous development so can easily be made efficient and pleasant. Healthier environment
Disadvantage of brownfield
Often more expensive because old buildings have to be cleared and land made free of pollution, often surrounded by rundown areas so does not appeal to more wealthy people as residential location, higher levels of pollution; less healthy, May not have access to modern roads
Disadvantages or greenfield
Valuable farm or recreational space lost, attractive scenery lost, wildlife and their habitats. Lost all disturbed, development causes noise and light pollution in the surrounding countryside, encourages suburban sprawl
What does gf v bf depend on
Particular land use - shops offices and industries need more specific locations housing is flexible
Circumstance of the particular town /city - is green space really valuable are there high cost and problems involved reusing the brown space
Why do cities attract migrants
Higher productivity and higher wages
Why have megacities grown since 1950s
- Population growth - increased life expectancy, decreased infant mortality , medical advances , better hygiene .
- Reduceed need for agricultural labour - increased agricultural productivity means less farmers are needed and there are greater opportunities in the city.
- loss of farm land due to growing industrialisation and climate change
- The technological revolution. Ease and speed by which information can be shared encouraged people to move into cities and take up job opportunities as people knew in advance information about opportunities , housing and services
What are internal factors that encourage segregation of ethnic minroities
Friendship and marriages within ethnic groups and reduced contact with majority populations .
Provides a strong base for military groups to set up to fight on behalf of the minority
Providing. Mutual support via families, welfare and community organisations, religious centres, ethnic shops ETC
providing protection against racist abuse and attacks from members of the majority population
Increasing political influence and power in the local areas
Allowing more opportunities to use their native language
What are external factors ( action taken by the majority population which encourage ethnic segregation )
Racially motivated violence against ethnic minority or a fear of such violence
Migration of the majority population out of an area into which a minority population is moving
Discrimination by house sellers, estate agents, financial institutions, private landlords and state housing agencies
Social hostility/unfriendliness from the majority population
Discrimination in the job market; ethnic. Minorities are more likely to be less educated, unemployed and on low incomes, forcing them into areas of cheap housing
What is kibera
Slum in Nairobi Kenya 5km from city centre. Largest slum in Africa and is an illegal settlement . Very overcrowded .
How many people live there in what space kibera
Over 1 million in 1.5 square miles
Where do people live kibera
Family of 7 Lives in a 3m x3m shack made of mud wood and Corrugated iron with no running water or toilet
How is it unhygienic kibera
Open sewers in the street people use out latrines or flying toilets
How many people are unemployed kibera
80% of people
How many people are HIV positive and what’s the life’s expectancy (kibera)
50% 56 years old
How is kensup helping kibera
in 2009 the Kenyan government announced a long term scheme which will rehouse the people who live in slums. The first group of 1500 people have been rehoused in 300 newly constructed basic apartments with electricity, sanitation and running water and 37 m² of space per person. The monthly rent is 6 pounds below market rates to make it affordable to slum dwellers . Once the residents move in the old slums are pulled down and more apartments built to replace them. Kensup intend to do this until all slums have been replaced . It is low cost modern housing
How do NGOs help to improve kibera
Try to improve the living conditions and quality of life in kibera on a small scale
How does t Vincent de Paul community centre help
Works with a small group of orphaned and desperately poor children, many of his parents have died of HIV/AIDS. They provide a nursery as well as school uniforms and meals to enable 90 children to go to primary school. There was also an orphanage for children between three and 17. Offers the children opportunities they wouldn’t normally have and helps them to get out of the poverty cycle through education
How does kwaho help
Works with local people to improve sanitation and water supplies. In order to improve the communities living standards and reduce the spread of disease. They have so far installed three water tanks of 10,000 L and build eight toilets managed by community business owners to boost economic growth in Kibera and improve sanitation . Waste management is done by a kibera youth group who have developed A garbage collection point that is also used for sorting, preparing waste for composting with in the slum and incineration of nonplastics. After sorting and composting, the youth market materials to business around kibera boosting sanitation and economic growth in kibera . They also collect the garbage from household for a fee of ksh20. This is self help , the people of kibera working to improve their living conditions themselves
What is unmanaged and managesdhousing like in slum
Slum Dwellers live in small shacks made of corrugated iron roofs and waste wood , cardboard and plastic walls
Managed - government sponsors low cost housing project meaning slum dwellers can move out of slums and into proper apartments
What are services like in slums managed and unmanaged
Unmanaged - slums are makeshift and have no electricity , toilets or running water leading to poor quality of life and increase in disease as streams and water are polluted by waste and excretement and is then drunk by slum dwellers who have no access to clean water
Managed - NGOs install water tanks , toilets and sponsor waste collection to improve sanitation and quality of life in slum
What is healthcare like in slum
Unmanaged - no access to healthcare with an unsanitary environment means that people have low life expectancies
Managed - clinics and healthcare set up by NGOs gives people the healthcare they desperately need
Education in slum
Unmanaged - no education means that children are stuck in the continuous cycle of poverty as they have no education or skills to earn money with chikderen are bored and turn to gang violence , crime or alcohol a drug abuse
Managed - schools set up by NGOs provides children with education, which helps them to get jobs and lift themselves out of the poverty cycle by earning an income. Children are not bored as they are in school and are less likely to turn to crime, gang violence and drug and alcohol abuse
Roads in slum
Unmanaged no roads slum is hard to acces by car and streets are lined with mud and garbage
Managed - organisations build paved roads leading to better quality of life , increased access to services such as grocery deliveries , healthcare deliveries , rubbish collection . Easier access also stimulates economic growth
Where is urban population growth mainly concentrated in
Sub Saharan Africa which has the worlds highest rate of urban migration .
Why is rapid urbanisation a problem (housing )
People move in from rural areas with rural areas or other parts of the country and arrive looking for charity low cost housing so millions settle in shanty towns on the edge of the city , among main roads or on steep slopes . These areas are of no ecenomic value and may be prone to flooding or land slides . The demand for housing exceeds the supply and housing is relatively expensive to people’s wages
Why is rapid urbanisation a problem ( access to water and electricity )
Provision of basic services does not keep up with the growth of the population. As a consequence, not all parts of the built up area are provided with running water, sanitation or electricity. Most people have no option but to rely on fires for cooking and lighting and on polluted streams for water and sewage disposal
Why is rapid urbanisation a problem - traffic congestion and transport
The provision of proper roads and public transport Lags behind the growth in population. As a result the transport systems in the city are overloaded and overcrowded, and traffic congestion is a major problem for everyone. The high number of vehicles also causes high levels of atmospheric pollution in cities, many of which suffer regularly from smog
Why is rapid urbanisation a problem - health
There are not enough doctors, clinics all hospital is to deal with the rapid increase in population. Large parts of the growing city have little or no access to clean water or sanitation, disease and infections such as typhoid and cholera spread quickly. Atmospheric pollution lead to widespread respiratory problems
Why is rapid urbanisation a problem-education
There are not enough schools to keep up with the the growing population
Why is rapid urbanisation a problem-employment
People are attracted to the cities for work, but many are on able to find proper paid work. Either they end up unemployed or become part of the informal sector surviving as best as they can. Even where there. Is paid work in new factories, these are often many kilometres away from the shanty areas where most newcomers live and there is no proper transport system
Social problems rapid urbanisation
People live close to one another in poor conditions. There are high crime rates, drug trafficking and theft the poorest areas are often inhabited by violent street gangs
What is the informal sector
Unofficial and unregulated work e.g street side vendor , shoe shiner
Where is high cost housing in lIcs
Nearest the CBD easiest to access
Push factors for sub urban sprawl
Businesses looking for greenfield sites, crowded housing, congestion, poor schools and services, pollution, declining jobs, high land rents, fears for safety
Pull factors for sub urban sprawl
Cheaper land for larger properties, safer neighbourhoods, low-density single family housing, more open spaces, better schools and services, large shopping centres, accessible
Rural dilation
Because of modern transport and communication the urban way of life is moving to rural areas . Countryside and it’s settlements are experiencing rural dilution
Counter urbanisation
As cities grow bigger people move out to the smaller towns, cities or rural areas.
Suburbanisation
As towns grow they expand outwards by a process known as sub urbanisation. This adds to the built up area
Dormitory settlement
As urban settlements continue to grow. People start to move out of the town or city and live in smaller often More rural settlements that are called dormitory settlements because most of the residents only live that and commute to work to the town or city they have left
Why have lics got more urbanised
Foreign investment from tncs in lIcs attracts people to cities . Most new ecenomic developments are concentrated in the cities
What is the cbd
Buizness is attracted to the centre to be easily accessible . Competition for space leads to high prices .
What is the modern suburbs
Today many people prefer the space and cleaner environment on the edge of the city and commute to work or work in New out of town greenfield sights
1929 -50s housing
People moved out into newer residential areas as transport developed
Old industrial area
Industry developed in the U.K. In the 19th century and factories were built around the cbd for workers . Terraced housing
What is land like in the cbd
As you move further away from the CBD, land becomes cheaper to buy or rent.land is expensive in the cbd because it is the most accessible area and is the best location for commercial activities . As you move away from the cbd housing generally becomes more cheaper
How does housing change moving out from the cbd
Housing changes from terraced to semi detached to detatched housing with gardens on the outskirts of town
Why does land use stay segregated
Due to the urban land market. Land goes to the highest bidder and that is the person that can make the best use of the property. Retail shops can usually make the best financial use of property. Land values decline outwards from the centre (Peak land value inter section). Relatively high land values are also found along major roads as they have good accessibility
Why do similar land uses come together
They have the same locational needs and they can afford the same general level of land values
Where does manufacturing cluster
Accessible locations for the assembly of raw materials and dispatch of finished goods. How whether it is less capital intensive use of space than shops or offices and therefore has less buying power. It is often found outside the CBD often along major roads for good transport links and accessability.
Where do retailing and other commercial business cluster
Particularly offices, will cluster in and around the centre as this is the most accessible form in the CBD
What is normally the oldest part of the city
The core
What is regeneration
Transforming the economy of a city be encouraging new businesses to replace those that have closed and moved elsewhere another strategy is to upgrade the quality of the built environment by either finding g new uses for old and empty builidings or clearing them To make way for new ones
What is reimaging
Changing the reputation of a city or part of a city by focusing on a new identity , function and changing the quality of an aporeance of the built up area
What is regeneration and rebranding together usesd for
To help sell an urban area to a new target market
Symptoms of social deprivation
Environmental Lack of greenery , run down flats and houses , graffiti Social Crime High proportion of students Low level of education attainment ecenomic High unemployment Few shops and services Low proportion of owner occupied housing
How was the docklands improved
29 km DLR was set up
London city airport set up
Jubilee line extension
Environment
Refurbished docks to high quality
Planted 160,000 trees
High quality urban design and public art spaces
Employment / business
Transformation in public transport allowed docklands residents to access wider labour market unemployment reduces from 17,8%[1981] to 7.2%[1997]
Isle of dogs designated enterprise zone stimulated commercial office market in the docklands - 14.8 million square foot of office space built . Hotels shops restaurants opened
Education
12 new primary schools
Provision of it equipment for docklands schools
Tower hamlets College
New community centres and leisure facilities s.g Surrey docks water sport centred
Royal docks community school
Housing
13,000 house built 1981-1997
8,000Social housing refurbished 2,000 built
What were the aims of the lddc - London docklands development corporation
- Economically regenerate the area by attracting private investment.
- Physically regenerate the environment
- Improve living conditions and community prospects in schools
Thames barrier
London located near near greenwhich , protects the flood plains of London from the risk of flood as flood could cause 20 million £ damage made up of 24 barriers with gates submerged underwater which when not in use lie flat on the river bed to create a clear path for ships as is used frequently for freight and passenger transport . Subject to tidal surges caused by high tide and low pressure leading to sea level rise , barriers made up of 1.5 inch thick steel and placed at rivers centre so if there is surge in 30 minutes thus can be fully operational by rising 90 degrees from river bed to without tidal surge . Underspill position allows water level to be regulated before gate is returned to parked position after tidal surge has finished , no water has ever come within 2 m of the top of the barrier . Thee is also zoning
