Urban issues & challenges Flashcards
What is urbanisation
This is an increase in the amount of people living in urban areas such as towns or cities. In 2007, the UN announced that for the first time, more than 50 % of the world’s population live in urban areas.
Where is urbanization happening
Urbanisation is happening all over the word but in LICs and NEEs rates are much faster than HICs. This is mostly because of the rapid economic growth they are experiencing.
What is sustainable urban living
Sustainable urban living means being able to live in cities in ways that do not pollute the environment and using resources in ways that ensure future generations also can use then.
Sustainable urban living - Water conservation
This is about reducing the amount of water used.
Collecting rainwater for gardens and flushing toilets.
Installing water meters and toilets that flush less water.
Educating people on using less water.
Sustainable urban living - Energy conservation
Using less fossil fuels can reduce the rate of climate change.
Promoting renewable energy sources.
Making homes more energy efficient.
Encouraging people to use energy.
Sustainable urban living - Creating green space
Creating green spaces in urban areas can improve places for people who want to live there.
Provide natural cooler areas for people to relax in.
Encourages people to exercise.
Reduces the risk of flooding from surface runoff.
Sustainable urban living - Waste recycling
More recycling means fewer resources are used. Less waste reduces the amount that eventually goes to landfill.
Collection of household waste.
More local recycling facilities.
Greater awareness of the benefits in recycling.
Traffic management
Urban areas are busy places with many people travelling by different modes of transport. This has caused urban areas to experience different traffic congestion that can lead to various problems.
Traffic management - Environmental problems
Traffic increases air pollution which releases greenhouse gases that is leading to climate change.
Traffic management - Economic problems
Congestion can make people late for work and business deliveries take longer. This can cause companies to loose money.
Traffic management - Social problems
There is a greater risk of accidents and congestion is a cause of frustration. Traffic can also lead to health issues for pedestrians.
Congestion problems
Widen roads to allow more traffic to flow easily.
Build ring roads and bypasses to keep through traffic out of city centres.
Introduce park and ride schemes to reduce car use.
Encourage car-sharing schemes in work places.
Megacities
An urban area with over 10 million people living there.
More than two thirds of current megacities are located in either NEEs (Brazil) and LICs (Nigeria). The amount of megacities are predicted to increase from 28 to 41 by 2030.
Integrated transport system
This is the linking of different forms of public and private transport within a city and the surrounding area.
Brownfield site
Brownfield sites is an area of land or premises that has been previously used, but has subsequently become vacant, derelict or contaminated.
Freiburg - background and location
Freiburg is in west Germany. The city has a population of about 220,000. In 1970 it set the goal of focusing on social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Freiburg - Sustainable strategies
The city’s waste water allows for rainwater to be retained.
The use of sustainable energy such as solar and wind is becoming more important.
40% of the city is forested with many open spaces for recreation, clean air and reducing flood risk.
Traffic management: Bristol
In 2012 Bristol was the most congested city in the UK. Now the city aims to develop it’s integrated transport system to encourage more people to use the public transport. The city has also invested in cycle routes and hiring schemes.
Greenbelt area
This is a zone of land surrounding a city where new building is strictly controlled to try to prevent cities growing too much and too fast.
Urban regenration
The investment in the revival of old, urban areas by either improving what is there or clearing it away and rebuilding.
Causes of urban migration - push factors
Natural disasters
War and Conflict
Mechanization
Drought
Lack of employment
Causes of urban migration - pull factors
More Jobs
Better education & healthcare
Increased quality of life.
Following family members.
What is urbanisation
The movement of people from rural to urban areas.
What is natural increase
When the birth rate exceeds the death rate.
Increase in birth rate
High percentage of population are child-bearing age which leads to high fertility rate.
Lack of contraception or education about family planning.
Lower death rate
Higher life expectancy due to better living conditions and diet.
Improved medical facilities helps lower infant mortality rate.
Location and background of London
London is a city in South England. The population of the city is 8.96 million, making it the largest in the UK. The city grew during the 18th century due to trade.
Importance of London
London is classed as a ‘world city’
It is one of the most important financial cities in the world
London is the centre for many national and international media and communications networks
Houses many renowned universities and research facilities
In a centre for culture, entertainment and tourism.
Migration to London
During the industrial revolution, the population dramatically increased with people migrating from nearby rural communities.
With the attraction of working in the large steelworks or mines, international migrates from Ireland, Pakistan and the Caribbean came to work in London from 1900-1960.
More recently, migrants have arrived from Bangladesh. Also London has attracted thousands of students from the UK & abroad.
Social opportunities of London
Social: London has various cultural attractions such as Shoreditch, China Town, markets and theatres . Covent Garden market, Oxford Street and Regents Street are very popular with shoppers.
Economic opportunities of London
Economic: The retail sectors contribute to thousands of jobs. The Universities and advanced manufacturing adds contribute to the city’s economy.
Environmental opportunities of London
Environmental: London is one of the greenest cities in Europe (47% is green space). It has various open spaces (i.e. the Hyde Park) for residents to enjoy.
Social challenges of London
Social: House prices have increased along with greater house shortages.
Over 2 million people in London live in Poverty.
Economic challenges of London
Economic: Closure of the docks and factories caused large scale unemployment.
Poor transport connections to large economic hubs such as Liverpool and Manchester.
Environmental challenges of London
Environmental: Urban sprawl has led to increased pressure and decline of greenfield sites around the city.
Lower Lea Valley regeneration project
The Lower Lea Valley. To clean up the urban environment, improve the old derelict industrial sites and improve public spaces with more green urban environments.
Main features: Brownfield sites and derelict buildings pulled down, £274 million invested on its train station to improve connections, green open spaces with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park- 100 hectares of open space, building 500 affordable homes in the area and improving the retail area to attract more businesses to the area
Rio location and background
Rio is a coastal city situated in the South East region of Brazil within the continent of South America. It is the second most populated city in the country (6.5 million) after Sao Paulo.
Rio importance
Has the second largest GDP in Brazil It is headquarters to many of Brazil’s main companies, particularly with Oil and Gas.
Sugar Loaf mountain is one of the seven wonders of the world.
One of the most visited places in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hosted the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Migration to Rio
The city began when Portuguese settlers with slaves arrived in 1502. Since then, Rio has become home to various ethnic groups.
However, more recently, millions of people have migrated from rural areas that have suffered from drought, lack of services and unemployment to Rio. People do this to search for a better quality of life.
This expanding population has resulted in the rapid urbanisation of Rio de Janeiro.
Social opportunities of Rio
Social: Standards of living are gradually improving. The Rio Carnival is an important cultural event for traditional dancing and music.
Economic opportunities of Rio
Economic: Rio has one of the highest incomes per person in the country. The city has various types of employment including oil, retail and manufacturing.
Environmental opportunities of Rio
Environmental: The hosting of the major sporting events encouraged more investment in sewage works and public transport systems.
Social challenges of Rio
Social: There is a severe shortage of housing, schools and healthcare centres available. Large scale social inequality, is creating tensions between the rich and poor.
Economic challenges of Rio
The rise of informal jobs with low pay and no tax contributions. There is high employment in shanty towns called Favelas
Environmental challenges of Rio
Shanty towns called Favelas are established around the city, typically on unfavourable land, such as hills.
