Urban Environents 6.7 Developments on the Urban Fringe

Question 1

what is meant by the urban fringe? (2)

Answer 1

• the areas where the green fields and open spaces of the countryside meet the built-up parts of the towns and cities
• countryside is being lost by the outwards growth of towns and cities, especially their suburbs

Question 2

greenfield sites (2)

Answer 2

• land that is not used for urban development

- greenfield sites around the edge of a city are in great demand for housing, industry, shopping and recreation

Question 3

What are some push factors for the urban growth and change on the urban fringe? (3)

Answer 3

• housing is old, congested and expensive
• environmental pollution
• shortage of land for companies for building new shops, offices and factories

Question 4

What are some pull factors on the urban fringe? (3)

Answer 4

• land is cheaper so the houses are larger
• factories can be larger and have plenty of room for workers to park cars
• closeness to main roads allows for quicker and easier customer contacts

Question 5

What are some non-residential developments happening around the urban fringe? (4)

Answer 5

• retail parks
• industrial estates
• business parks
• science parks

Question 6

Why has the number of retail parks located at or just beyond the urban fringe increased so drastically? (2)

Answer 6

• more people own their own cars and the car parks are free

- access is easy because the shopping centres are located next to main roads and motorway junctions

Question 7

brownfield sites (2)

Answer 7

• land that has been previously used and then abandones

- many environmentalists want new developments to be built here instead of on greenfield sites

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Brownfield sites? (8)

Answer 8

Advantages=

• reduces the loss of countryside
• helps to revive old and disused urban areas
• services are already in place
• located near main areas of employment

Disadvantages=

• 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 wealthy people
• higher levels of pollution, so less healthy
• may not have good access to roads

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Greenfield sites? (8)

Answer 9

Advantages=

• relatively cheap and rates of house building are faster
• layout is not hampered by previous development
• healthier environment
• close to countryside for leisure and recreation

Disadvantages=

• valuable farmland, recreational space and scenery is lost
• development causes noise and light pollution in the surrounding countryside
• wildlife and their habitats are lost
• encourages further urban sprawl