Urban issues: London

Question 1

Describe the location of London

Answer 1

South-East England
On the River Thames

Question 2

National importance of London

Answer 2

Generates 30% of the UK’s GDP

Question 3

International importance of London

Answer 3

Home to 15 of the head offices for 250 biggest companies in the world

Question 4

Social opportunities in London (cultural mix, recreation etc)

Answer 4

Shoreditch: Bangladeshi families moved in (brick lane), due to gentrification they are now moving out, causing young professional workers (arts and finance) to move in.
Spitafields Market - used to be fruit and veg market now a popular shopping area. Galleries and clubs.
Music: Brick Lane Jazz festival
Art: Street art
Food: Changing population has led to wide range of street food

Question 5

Economic opportunities in London (employment)

Answer 5

Canary Wharf:
1981 - LDDC plan to regenerate the empty London docks. Attracted private investment to create new economic opportunities and jobs to replace those lost when the docks closed.
Now - 100,000 people work at Canary Wharf. One of the world’s leading financial centres home to many international banks.

Question 6

Environmental opportunities (urban greening)

Answer 6

47% of London is green space.
Hyde Park
700 green roof tops
Trees produce oxygen, reduce global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide.
Trees and hedging absorb harmful pollutants, reducing illness and emissions circulating.
13,000 wildlife species in London

Question 7

Opportunities in London (integrated transport system)

Answer 7

London underground and buses - 75 million people per week
Oyster card - fast payment measure can be used across all public transport.
Congestion charging zone - £15 daily fee travelling in central zone, encourages more people to use public transport.
Crossrail (Elizabeth line) in 2022. Increase of 10% rail passenger journeys.
Reducing journey times.

Question 8

Urban challenges in London (inequality and deprivation)

Answer 8

2 million in poverty in London
Kensington and Chelsea (one of richest boroughs) outperforms Newham (most deprived) on all deprivation indicators. Kensington - unemployment is 4% Newham - unemployment is 9.4%
Lower life expectancy in Newham linked to poor diet, housing, lack of employment

Question 9

Impacts of urban sprawl on the rural-urban fringe

Answer 9

Loss of habitat leading to reduced biodiversity
Increased congestion/ air and noise pollution due to commuter traffic
Loss of green space, urban growth encroaches on the countryside
Increased flooding due to impermeable surfaces
House prices rise, causing locals to move out
E.g Reading

Question 10

Challenges of building on brownfield and greenfield sites (benefits and issues)

Answer 10

Greenfield: Poorer transport links so more people need to use cars. Urban sprawl increases. No need for demolition of decontamination.
Natural habitats destroyed. Unlikely to change back to the countryside after being built on

Brownfield: High demand so often expensive. May need to be decontaminated. Demolition of old building required. Reduces urban sprawl. Less car use as already well connected in terms of transport. New developments can improve the environment.