Urban Futures Case Studies

Question 1

Give an example of a city in an AC.

Answer 1

Leeds

Question 2

Describe the location of Leeds.

Answer 2

Leeds is located in West Yorkshire, in the centre of England slightly northeast of Manchester.

Question 3

Importance of Leeds

Answer 3

• Regional centre for the arts.
• Good transport infrastructure, heart of M1 and M62.
• Northern England shopping destination.
• Several major universities and associated research.

Question 4

Migration in Leeds

Answer 4

• Windrush generation from Caribbean to join new commonwealth in the 50s-70s.
• Irish for job opportunities (manufacture after WW2 then tertiary later).
• Eastern European after WW2, especially after 2004 EU updates.
• Pakistani and Bangladeshi.

Question 5

Ways of Life in Leeds

Answer 5

• Harewood - a larger area outside the centre.
• Harewood has 10x fewer job claimants and more common level 4 education.
• Gipton & Harehills - a more central smaller area.
• G&H far higher crime rate, less expensive housing.

Question 6

Contemporary Challenges in Leeds

Answer 6

• A house costs 5 years of income.
• Decrepit student housing easy to burgle - containing £2000+ in gadgets.
• Life expectancy 10 years lower in centre.
• Above UK average unemployment rate.

Question 7

One Sustainability Initiative in Leeds

Answer 7

• Climate Innovation District provides more job opportunities.
• 315 homes, 178 parking spaces, communities with mixed residents.
• Homes 10x more airtight than average UK home.
• Timber frame designs save 88 tonnes of emitted CO2 per year.

Question 8

Give an example of a city in an LIDC or EDC.

Answer 8

Mexico City

Question 9

Describe the location of Mexico City.

Answer 9

Mexico City lies in the east of the Mexico state of Mexico, to the west is the Pacific, and to the right the Gulf of Mexico. Hidalgo state is to the northeast, and Morelos to the south.

Question 10

Importance of Mexico City

Answer 10

• 1968 Olympics.
• Tenochtitlan - famed Azteca capital.
• Nationally important Coyoacan neighbourhood, with Museo Frida Kahlo.
• Largest Spanish speaking (mega)city.

Question 11

Migration in Mexico City

Answer 11

Diaspora communities:
* Indian - Sui Baba and Vaishnav temples.
* Jewish - 50,000 Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews centred in downtown.
* German - Berlin sister to Mexico City.
* Chinese - 3000 families with heritage, despite 1930s expulsion.

Question 12

Ways of Life in Mexico City

Answer 12

• Outdoor city - life lived on the street.
• Lots of urban sprawl so no green belt and many informal settlements.
• Spiralling crime rate - much controlled by gangs.
• Chilangos embrace individualisation and cultural diversity.

Question 13

Contemporary Challenges in Mexico City

Answer 13

• Public transport up to 20% of annual income after tax.
• 2012 study shows gridlock costing economy 2.5 billion USD annually.
• In a valley - can flood.
• Easiest water source is underground aquifer due to no river.

Question 14

One Sustainability Initiative in Mexico City

Answer 14

• EcoBici increased bike trips 500%.
• 5000+ tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided.
• 35,000 daily trips by 2018.
• Cost the government a lot though.