urban issues and challenges Flashcards
How urbanised is the UK?
82% of the population of the UK lives in cities.
There are some areas where the population is decreasing, but generally the south-east is growing.
The UK has a fairly stable population.
As you go north and west the population tends to be decreasing.
Where are the UK major cities found?
Most of the UK’s major cities are located in the south east of England. There are less cities in the north and west.
For example, Bernley’s population has decreased by 5.2% since 1999.
Describe the location of London
London is located in the south-east of England. It is on the river Thames, about 45 miles from the east coast.
List some examples of Londons national importance.
Parliament- where political decisions and events take place.
London generates approx 22% of the UK’s GDP
A lot of the financial sector is based in London.
About half of the UK’s foreign exchange happens here –> generates money
Transport hub.
List some examples of Londons international importance.
More than half of all passengers travelling by air in the UK currently travel via the 5 London airports –> International transport hub
Big court cases happen in London
Creative industries are worth £35 billion- about half of the UK’s total
London has 15% of the UK’s hospital beds and 15 of the countries 50 teaching hospitals.
20 million tourists visited the capital in 2017, spending £13 billion.
Over 70% of the UK’s biggest companies are located in London, and 75% of the worlds top 500 companies have offices in London.
Describe the growth of London
London grew from around 2 million in 1930 to around 9 million today. It grew fastest during the 19th century after the 2nd world war it experienced counter-urbanisation, but since 1990 it has been growing strongly again.
How has international migration affected the growth of London?
- the first group to arrive were 500 Caribbean migrants followed by 910,000 people from the West Indies, India, Pakistan and Africa. They came to help rebuild infrastructure after the war.
- 60,000 people migrated from Uganda after it announced the immediate expulsion of its entire Asian community.
How has international migration affected the character of London?
Due to a large Greek population in Camden, there is a Greek orthodox church, allowing Greek worship, and also showing other migrants that they can worship their own religions in London. WORSHIP
There is an increasing Somali population, who put on festivals to celebrate their culture. SOCIALISATION
There is a large French school in Camden.
EDUCATION
How has urban change created cultural benefit?
Many social and leisure places, restaurants, nightclubs and galleries have been installed in Kings Cross.
How has urban change created recreation and entertainment benefit?
In Kings X
There are now 10 new public parks and squares in Kings Cross. 40% of the redevelopment is green space.
There is also a new 25m swimming pool.
How has urban change created employment benefit?
Jobs are created as companies move to Kings Cross, there are 35,000 office workers. As companies move their this creates the multiplier effect creating even more new jobs.
How has urban change created transport benefit?
in Kings X
There are integrated transport systems. You can travel to anywhere in the UK and Europe directly from Kings Cross.
How has urban change created urban greening benefit?
in Kings X
200m of green walls and 11,000 sq/m of green and brown roofs have been installed in Kings Cross
What is the impact of urban sprawl on the rural urban fringe?
Urban sprawl can lead to traffic congestion as commuters come to work in the city, it can lead to loss of habitats as more land is built on. Councils may move social housing to these areas as land is cheaper these people may find it harder to get to work which is often in the centre of cities.
Londons greenbelt, where there are strict planning controls, was designed in 1947 to limit sprawl.
What is the impact of the growth of commuter settlements?
As the greenbelt has limited the growth of some cities and house prices in London continue to rise it has led to the growth of commuter towns, this can cause challenges as many of the population leave each day to work so businesses in the area suffer as people often spend their money where they work rather than where they live. It can also lead to the same problems caused by urban sprawl.
However there can be some benefits to services and facilities as population grow here.
An example of a commuter town is Woking
Give an example of an urban regeneration project to show:
* reasons why the area needed regeneration
* the main features of the project.
Kings Cross regeneration project
How has urban change created a problem in terms of inequalities of housing?
Regeneration in some parts of the city has increased inequality.
‘right to buy’ scheme means that much social housing has the most vulnerable residents who cant afford other housing.
Old housing is then being cleared and replaced with modern housing, but its often too expensive for former residents, forcing them to leave.
How has urban change created a problem in terms of health inequalities?
In deprived areas there is generally poorer health- due to poor living conditions, poor mental health and unhealthy living conditions. A poor diet, smoking and alcohol are more likely in deprived areas.
Life expectancy for men in Somerstown is 10 years less than in wealthier parts of the borough.
How has urban change created a problem in terms of waste disposal?
With more people there is more waste and our sewers cannot cope.
There are too many people in London so there is too much waste.
How has urban change created a problem in terms of air pollution?
As cities grow more and more people have cars, there is more air pollution- mainly particulate matter- this causes ill health.
Around 2 million of us live in areas that continually exceed the legal limits for air pollution, including 400,000 children.
How has urban change created a problem in terms of inequalities of education?
Many children in deprived areas leave school without basic qualifications, leading to low employment and low incomes.
In Kings Cross there is nobody without basic qualifications, in the deprived areas, around 20% of people don’t have any qualifications.
How has urban change created a problem in terms of inequalities of employment?
In deprived areas there is high unemployment- leading to low wealth so a lower quality of life.
In Kings Cross, 26% of people are economically inactive, where as 50% in the deprived surrounding areas
What is the definition of urbanisation?
The process of increasing the percentage of the population living in urban areas.
What is the global pattern for urban change?
The general trend is that as the rural share of world population decreases, urban share increases.
More than 50% of the world’s population is living in urban areas. By 2030, more than 60 percent are expected to live in urban areas, while in 2050, it will be at 70 percent.
