URBAN ISSUES

Question 1

What is urbanisation?

Answer 1

Urbanisation means an increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas.

Question 2

Where is urbanisation happening the most and why?

Answer 2

The highest rates of population growth are occurring in low income countries (LICs) because of better jobs/education for some people than in rural areas. Rapid economic growth as well.

Question 3

What are the causes of urbanisation?

Answer 3

Natural increase - when the birth rate exceed the death rate.
Migration - this is the movement of people into or out of the city.

Question 4

Where is Rio located?

Answer 4

South East of Brazil (coast).

Question 5

What is the importance of Rio?

Answer 5

Headquarters of main companies for oil and gas.
Hosted 2016 Olympics.

Question 6

Why and how has Rio grown?

Answer 6

Rio has experienced rapid growth in recent years because of rural to urban migration . Huge numbers of people have moved from countryside areas into the city, mainly in search of jobs. Also escaping drought and want better quality of life.

Question 7

Challenges in Rio: crime.

Answer 7

High levels of crime, violence and drug abuse blight many of the favelas.

Question 8

Challenges in Rio: unemployment.

Answer 8

There are few job opportunities in the favelas. Poor transport systems make it hard for residents in the favelas to travel to work. Many citizens of Rio work in the informal job sector as street sellers, shoe shiners etc.

Question 9

What percentage of people in favelas are unemployed?

Answer 9

More than 20%.

Question 10

Challenges in Rio: urban growth.

Answer 10

Due to the very high population density in favelas, disease can spread very quickly. Severe crowding and shortage of housing and jobs.

Question 11

Challenges in Rio: sanitation and clean water.

Answer 11

Trash and sewage go straight to the ocean or lagoon. Lack of freshwater. Only 30% have access to sanitation systems.

Question 12

Challenges in Rio: education and healthcare.

Answer 12

There is a shortage of hospitals and clinics in the favelas, and high levels of illness and disease prevail here. There are few schools in the favelas (high drop-out rates and low grades).

Question 13

Challenges in Rio: pollution, traffic.

Answer 13

Too many cars so lots of air pollution.
Deadly toxins in water.
Traffic forced along main roads due to mountains etc.

Question 14

How can the favelas be improved?

Answer 14

Site and service schemes give people opportunities to buy/rent their own land.
People are given tools and training to start their own businesses or improve their homes.
Police to help stop crime.
Installing roads, water, electricity, sanitation.
(Favela Bairro project).

Question 15

Why is London important nationally and internationally?

Answer 15

Internationally = network of financial centres (global bank headquarters)
Nationally = 2 busiest airports (bring in tourists), capital, media and communications

Question 16

Why and how has London grown?

Answer 16

How = migration and natural increase (more births than deaths).
Why = people go in search for more jobs, more access to healthcare/education/housing.

Question 17

What is the impact of national and international migration on the growth and character of London?

Answer 17

It is estimated that up to a third of all international migration into the UK is into London.
As a result, London has the most culturally-diverse population in the UK.
It also has a different population structure to the rest of the UK, as it has many more young people and fewer older people.

Question 18

Challenges in London: inequality

Answer 18

Housing - house prices risen and extreme contrast in properties (rich and poor)
Education - poorer areas get lower GCSE results
Health - wealthy areas get better health care and live longer
Employment - unemployment still despite wealth in London

Question 19

Challenges in London: urban deprivation

Answer 19

Places suffering from urban deprivation have visible differences in housing and economic opportunities from the rich. It is particularly hard for the poorest people to have a decent standard of living because the prices of many things are more expensive.

Question 20

Challenges in London: dereliction of buildings

Answer 20

There is a sizeable supply of brownfield land in London which is still unused (even after Olympics).

Question 21

Challenges in London: brown and greenfield sites

Answer 21

Greenfield sites are protected unless the government says so, so it is controversial to build on them. However, there is a need for more house because of the rapid increase in population.

Question 22

Challenges in London: urban sprawl on the rural

Answer 22

This can cause increased traffic, environmental issues, impact on social lives, building on protected land, increase in urbanisation.

Question 23

How can people live more sustainably?

Answer 23

Reduce the amount of water we use.
Recycle plastic and other materials.
Electric cars.
Take public transport or walk/cycle/lift-share.
Use less fossil fuels.

Question 24

How does sustainable urban living conserve water/energy, recycle water and create more green space?

Answer 24

Creating more green space - provides areas for people to relax in, reduces risk of flooding, less CO2 in atmosphere.
Conserving water/energy - reduce climate change, not using as much water so companies can cut energy usage etc.
Waste recycling - fewer resources used and less waste ends up in landfills.

Question 25

How are urban transport strategies used to reduce traffic congestion?

Answer 25

Congestion charge so people travel less because they do not want to pay.
Traffic light management.
More accessible public transport.
Charging for parking.