Urban Environments Flashcards
In which year did the world become more urban than rural?
2007
Which parts of the world are the most urban today?
Argentina, Iceland, Japan, Oman, Jordan, Gabon, Belgium, Puerto Rico
Which parts of the world will become more urban in the future?
USA, Australia, most of South America, New Zealand, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Costa Rica, UK
Describe the link between urban population and development.
As urban population increases, development can increase further due to more people being able to work there and gain money for the economy.
Fill in the blank: Urbanisation leads to more economic activity, which leads to growth in _______.
Income
What is the difference between urbanization, urban growth, and urban expansion?
Urbanisation is the process of increasing urban population proportion; urban growth is the total increase in urban population; urban expansion is the physical footprint of urban areas.
Describe the process of urbanisation.
Originally low urbanisation with large rural population, rapid increase in urbanisation during economic takeoff, followed by slow growth and potential rural migration.
Classify the different regions of the world into developed, emerging, and developing.
Developed: Europe, North America, Oceania
Emerging: Asia, Latin America/Caribbean
Developing: Africa
Which is the only region currently below 50% urban?
Africa
Which two regions are currently experiencing rapid urbanisation?
Africa and Asia
Which two regions are currently the most urban?
Europe and North America
Describe and explain the different parts of the urban cycle following urbanisation.
Suburbanisation occurs as urbanisation increases; counterurbanisation happens when people move to smaller areas; reurbanisation occurs when people return to urban areas.
What are the main reasons for rapid urbanisation in the emerging and developing world?
Prospect of employment, better paid jobs, better education, better health, higher birth rates than death rates
What is natural increase?
When the birth rate exceeds the death rate.
What is the multiplier effect in urbanisation?
When more people come to a city, leading to filled jobs, increased income, and expansion.
Where are mega cities typically located?
Usually close to the coast for better transport opportunities and trading.
Which region has the most mega cities?
Asia.
What factors contribute to the formation of mega cities?
Large population, high natural increase, rapid industrialisation.
What has caused the growth of some mega cities to slow down?
Slow economic growth, lower rates of natural increase, investment in cities outside large metropolitan centres.
What are some problems associated with rapid urbanisation?
- Increase in population without development
- Poor quality of infrastructure/housing
- Few job opportunities
- Not enough resources (e.g. food/water)
- Poor sanitation
- Pollution
- No established public transport routes
- Pressure on local services (e.g. hospitals, police, education)
- Higher employment rates
- Increased crime rates (e.g. gangs)
Identify the problems facing Lagos as a consequence of rapid urbanisation
- Identify the problems facing Lagos as a consequence of rapid urbanisation
- Poor quality of infrastructure / housing
- Few job opportunities
- Not enough resources, e.g. Food / water
- Poor sanitation, e.g. Quality of water / inadequate sewer system
- Pollution
- No established public transport routes
- Pressure on local services, e.g. Hospitals, police, education
- Higher employment rates
- Crime rates, e.g. gangs
- Flooding because Lagos is 2m underwater
What does RICEPOT stand for?
Residential, Industrial, Commercial services, Entertainment, Public services, Open space, Transport hubs
What are the three factors that affect urban land use?
Land values, Locational needs, Accessibility
These factors influence how land is utilized in urban areas.
How does ‘age’ affect urban land use?
Land uses can change in response to wider socio-economic changes
For example, industrial areas like Battersea Power Station have been regenerated into mixed-use areas.
Explain why land value varies across an urban area.
Land has different uses, areas in the city center are more expensive due to accessibility, and the value generally decreases with distance from the center
Limited availability of land in central areas contributes to higher prices.
What is the bid rent theory?
The amount of money someone would pay to locate in a given area
It explains why land values are highest in the Central Business District (CBD) due to accessibility.
How does the bid rent theory explain the concentric ring model?
The sector that can make the most profit from a location will be closest to the CBD
This results in higher land values in central areas.
Summarize how an urban area changes from core to edge in terms of building type, height, and density.
In the core: extremely tall buildings, packed close together; as we move to the edge: buildings become younger, density decreases, height decreases, accessibility decreases, and land becomes cheaper
Environmental quality tends to increase towards the edges.
What is the primary characteristic of the CBD?
It is the highest value land populated by retail stores and offices
The CBD has a low residential population due to high bid rent and is accessible via various public transport routes.
What can be found in the CBD regarding building height and cost?
In tall buildings, the higher you go, the more expensive it is due to better views
This is a common trend in urban areas where views can significantly increase property value.
What was the primary use of Zone 2 during the industrial revolution?
It contained many factories
Despite the ability to afford high land prices, factories require large areas, leading to their location further out.
What has happened to the factories in Zone 2 now?
They have been regenerated for various uses such as entertainment, commerce, and residential
An example of regeneration is Battersea Power Station.
What is the density characteristic of the Working Class or Gentrified zone (Zone 3)?
It is the most dense residential area
This is due to historical proximity to factories where residents worked.
Why did the working class live close to their workplaces?
Many did not have cars and needed to get to work on foot or by bike
This historical factor contributed to the location of residential areas.
How does the density of the Middle Class zone (Zone 4) compare to the Working Class zone?
It is slightly less dense
Middle class residents can afford to live further out from their workplaces.
What transportation options do Middle Class residents typically have?
Improved private transport opportunities
This reduces their reliance on public transport accessibility.
What are the characteristics of the High Class or Commuter zone (Zone 5a/b)?
Wealthier residents prefer attractive areas with less pollution and nearby open spaces
Many of them own cars, making low public transport accessibility less important.
Fill in the blank: The CBD has a ____ residential population due to high bid rent.
low
True or False: The Working Class zone is the least dense residential area.
False
The Working Class zone is the most dense residential area.
What are the five main zones of a city?
- CBD
- Industrial
- Working class housing
- Middle class housing
- Commutor zone (upper class)
What role does income play in residential segregation?
Income creates residential segregation by influencing where people choose to live, with richer individuals moving to suburban areas and poorer individuals residing in cheaper inner city areas.
For example, in London, inner city boroughs like Newham have higher levels of deprivation compared to suburban areas like Richmond.
How does ethnicity contribute to residential segregation?
People from similar ethnic backgrounds tend to congregate in certain areas to maintain a sense of community and access shared spaces, such as mosques or traditional shops.
This can be exacerbated by discrimination and barriers to employment, leading ethnic minorities to have lower income and live in cheaper housing.
Define regeneration in the context of urban areas.
Regeneration is the transformation of large, unused industrial areas into spaces for leisure, entertainment, retail, and residential use.
This process aims to enhance sustainability through mixed-use developments.
What are the benefits of regeneration for lower-income groups?
Regeneration leads to the creation of more affordable housing options and mixed-use developments that are accessible to lower-income groups.
This approach is considered more sustainable.
List the multiple deprivation factors.
- Income
- Employment
- Health/disability
- Education, skills and training
- Barriers to housing and services
- Living environment
- Crime
These factors contribute to patterns of deprivation in urban areas.
What are the challenges faced by people in Newham?
High poverty rates, Poor living conditions
Additional data can be found in the Poverty and Inequality Data For Newham report by Trust For London.
To what extent is cultural diversity in Newham a challenge?
Cultural diversity can lead to segregation between different ethnicities, social tension, and vulnerability to exploitation by landlords
Many migrants prefer to live near traditional shops and community areas, which can hinder integration.
What impact has regeneration had on Canning Town in Newham?
Regeneration has provided new jobs, created community areas for cultural interaction, built schools, improved transport access, increased affordable housing, and established new health centres
These changes aim to enhance the quality of life and promote integration in the community.
List some benefits of regeneration in Canning Town.
- New jobs
- Community interaction
- Educational facilities
- Improved transport
- Affordable housing
- Health centres
What is gentrification?
A process of urban development in which a city neighborhood develops rapidly over a short time, changing from low to high value. It then gets renovated and improved so that it conforms to middle-class taste
What are the characteristic features of a sustainable city?
Economic prosperity, social equity, low ecological footprint
Economic prosperity includes high employment and reliable income. Social equity focuses on reducing economic inequality and ensuring opportunities for all.
What is one challenge related to sustainable food supply in London?
Insecure food supply due to drought-prone countries and low contribution of food from local farms
This leads to food poverty and a high ecological footprint due to large consumption.
What is a proposed solution to improve sustainable food supply in London?
Creating new farmland and increasing food production in cities
FoodCycle uses donated food to create free meals, addressing food poverty.
What percentage of buildings in London are energy inefficient?
25%
This contributes to energy insecurity and carbon footprint.
What is one solution for improving the sustainable energy supply in London?
Retrofit Accelerators to make buildings more energy efficient
Local energy projects develop clean energy and enhance energy sustainability.
What is a significant health issue associated with traffic congestion in London?
9000 people die each year due to air pollution
Congestion also lowers public transport reliability.
What measure is taken to reduce traffic congestion in central London?
Congestion charging
This helps decrease air pollution from vehicles.
How much waste does an average household in London create annually?
1000kg
Only half of the 7 million tonnes of annual waste is recycled or incinerated.
What is the estimated annual value of food waste in London?
£2.5 billion
This highlights the economic impact of waste management issues.
What initiative helps manage unused items to reduce landfill waste?
Globechain
This platform allows for the reuse of items and helps businesses achieve zero waste targets.
What is meant by ‘quality of life’?
Quality of life helps make a judgement on how liveable a city is. Factors that influence this include:
* wealth
* environment
* health/education
* infrastructure
* security
Quality of life is a multidimensional concept that reflects the general well-being of individuals and societies.
How does the bus rapid transit initiative help urban challenges in Lagos?
It provides 800 buses covering 12 miles, allowing efficient movement without excess pollution from private transport and is socially equitable due to lower costs.
Bus rapid transit systems are designed to provide efficient and reliable public transport solutions.
What is Eko-Atlantic?
A new mini-city being built on the edge of Lagos that provides homes, offices, and services, with a sea wall for erosion prevention.
Eko-Atlantic aims to create a formal economy that generates tax revenue for the government.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Eko-Atlantic?
Advantages:
* Attracts tourists
* Generates tax revenue
Disadvantages:
* Not socially equitable
The development may lead to increased economic activity but could also exacerbate social inequalities.
What is the Floating School?
A floating structure that serves as a school and community meeting space, using local materials and clean energy solutions.
The Floating School is designed to adapt to rising sea levels and offers a low-cost self-help solution.
How does Wecyclers contribute to urban challenges in Lagos?
Wecyclers collects recyclable waste in exchange for points that can be used to purchase food and household items, providing waste collection and formal employment.
This initiative addresses waste management issues in underserved areas.
What is a stakeholder?
A stakeholder is a person or group that has an interest in the future of a place.
Stakeholders can include various levels of government, organizations, and local residents.
Give an example of different stakeholders working in Lagos.
Examples include:
* International: UN
* National: The Government
* Local: Residents, service providers
Each stakeholder group has its own interests and influences on urban development.
What are the pros of pursuing small-scale community-led projects like the Floating School?
Pros include:
* Achievable tasks
* Community involvement
* Direct benefits to local residents
Community-led projects can foster local ownership and enhance social cohesion.
What are the cons of pursuing small-scale community-led projects like the Floating School?
Cons include:
* Limited impact on economic growth
* May not attract external investment
While small-scale projects serve immediate needs, they may lack the scale to drive broader economic change.
How does the UN define an informal settlement?
A settlement that lacks at least one of the following:
* Durable housing
* Sufficient living space
* Access to water
* Access to sanitation
* Secure tenure
This definition highlights the various deficiencies that characterize informal settlements.
What are the two main factors that contribute to the formation of slums in urban areas of the developing world?
The lack of affordable housing and poverty.
Poverty is driven by in-migration, lack of economic growth, and income inequality.
What are some positive aspects of informal housing?
Informal housing can provide:
* A place for entrepreneurs to live while working elsewhere
* A sense of community support
* Low crime rates
* Points of assimilation for immigrants
These aspects contribute to the social fabric of informal settlements.
What are some negative aspects of informal housing?
Negative aspects include:
* Lack of security of tenure
* Risk of eviction
* Absence of basic services like water and sanitation
* Overcrowding
* Dangerous areas
* Poor hygiene and sanitation levels
These issues can lead to increased disease prevalence.
What are some solutions that help to reduce poverty and support the community?
Solutions include:
* Flexible loans to help residents
* Support for small businesses operating at home
* Encouragement of community schemes such as education
These solutions aim to empower residents and enhance community welfare.
What are some solutions that help residents to build new homes?
Solutions include:
* Government support for low-cost self-built housing
* Site schemes where people can legally build their own homes
These initiatives promote self-sufficiency in housing.
What are some solutions that help to improve existing homes or provide new homes?
Solutions include:
* Improved private and public rental housing
* Construction of health and educational services
* Upgrading of informal housing in central areas
* Subsidies for home building
These measures aim to enhance living conditions.
What is meant by the term ‘Self Help’ in the context of housing schemes?
Self help schemes allow the people who live there to do something that benefits themselves.
This approach encourages community engagement and empowerment.
What does ‘Community Led’ mean in the context of housing schemes?
Community led means that there is financial support from the government or charities, but the community works together to make it happen.
This model fosters collaboration and local ownership of projects.
How could the Makoko floating school help to improve the quality of life in Makoko?
The floating school would provide:
* Educational opportunities for younger generations
* A safe area if sea levels rise
Education can help break the cycle of poverty.
How do affordable housing schemes work in Lagos?
The Lagos Government works with private developers to build affordable housing, which residents can buy through shared ownership deals.
This partnership aims to increase housing availability.
To what extent do affordable housing schemes help address the housing issues facing Lagos?
While 4000 homes have been built, the supply still outweighs the demand and remains too expensive for residents in areas like Makoko.
This indicates a significant gap between housing supply and affordability.
What is a similarity between London and Lagos regarding space?
Both places have a lack of space.
What economic issue do both London and Lagos share?
Both have income inequality.
What is a common characteristic of areas within London and Lagos?
Both have affluent areas within both face some sort of deprivation.
How do squatter settlements differ between London and Lagos?
There are not a lot of squatter settlements or slums in London, but there are more homeless people here.
What is a notable difference in the job sector between Lagos and London?
Lagos has a larger informal job sector.
What type of materials should be used for sustainable regeneration of an area?
Use renewable materials.
What is the Rural Urban Fringe?
The area at the end of a city where it meets the countryside. It has many agricultural and residential land uses, and is close to the city, but land prices are much cheaper. There is pressure on this area because of the competing interests for this space.
What is a greenfield site?
A site that has not previously been developed on, usually at the edge of a town, and it is also cheaper than brownfield sites.
What type of developments have located on greenfield sites?
- Retail/ Shopping malls
- Residential areas
- Commerce/ Industrial areas
Why do businesses and developers find greenfield sites attractive? (SPACE)
- Space for large development
- Purpose built infrastructure
- Accessibility for employees and delivery
- Cheap land for low rents
- Environment quality is good
What is a brownfield site?
A site that has previously been used and has become derelict (abandoned). It is generally more central than greenfield sites.
Explain why a brownfield site is regarded a more sustainable option for development than a greenfield site.
Because it reuses land that has already been used, so it is not a waste of space in such a valuable area. It also does less harm to the environment.
What is urban sprawl?
The uncontrolled growth of urban areas at their edges.
Why is Slyfield Industrial Estate located where it is?
It is close to a transport opportunity but is towards the edge of the town, as it needs a lot of space.
Why is Ladymead Retail Park located where it is?
It is in between the massive urban sprawl and the city, close to the A3 for good access, and a large residential area brings in many customers.
Why is Guildford Business Park Rd located where it is?
Just opposite the retail park, so has good access and lots of space for purpose-built large offices, and many car parks.
Why is Surrey Research Park located where it is?
Green, so good for employees, close to the A3 for good access, and close to the university for research and development collaboration.
