Birmingham Case Study Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the significance of Birmingham’s site.

A

Overlooks the river Rea.
There was an area that was originally forested nearby.
This provided the original inhabitants with water, timber and fuel.

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2
Q

What is Birmingham’s situation?

A

Centre of England.

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3
Q

Explain why Birmingham’s situation is significant.

A

It allowed raw materials to be used in manufacturing, and the products made to get to markets easily.

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4
Q

Explain why Birmingham has developed so well.

A

It is situated near to the coal fields of Staffordshire and iron deposits in Wales.
It was the heart of the canal and rail networks.

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5
Q

Historically, what was Birmingham famous for?

A
  • Jewellery
  • Brass
  • Guns
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6
Q

Regionally, why is Birmingham important?

A

Birmingham is a regional hub for transport & manufacturing and is a major shopping location (e.g. the Bullring & Grand Central) and sports (Aston Villa football team).

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7
Q

Globally, why is Birmingham important?

Consider global events and meetings.

A

Birmingham is recognised due to its trade, having Europe’s largest public library, hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022, having international banks (e.g. HSBC & Barclays), holding the G8 Conference and all of the Birmingham universities.

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8
Q

Compare the age of buildings in Birmingham’s CBD, inner city and suburbs.

A

CBD: mostly new as many have been redeveloped; some are old.

Inner city: old; some derelict factories due to deindustrialisation & decentralisation; buildings first built in 19th century; some redevelopment from CDAs.

Suburbs: relatively old; some built in 19th century; most built in the 20th century.

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9
Q

Define a CDA.

A

Comprehensive Development Area - an area where the whole urban landscape is demolished and rebuilt, usually in the inner city.

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10
Q

Compare the density of buildings in Birmingham’s CBD, inner city and suburbs.

A

CBD: high.

Inner city: relatively high.

Suburbs: low(er).

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11
Q

Compare the land use in Birmingham’s CBD, inner city and suburbs.

Give examples of what buildings you might find in each area.

A

CBD: commercial (e.g. shopping centres like the Bullring, banks like HSBC/Barclays).

Inner city: housing (e.g. blocks of flats) and some shops.

Suburbs: housing & industry, some shops.

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12
Q

Compare the environmental quality in Birmingham’s CBD, inner city and suburbs.

A

CBD: good quality (some green space).

Inner city: lower quality (little green space).

Suburbs: good quality (big areas of open green space).

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13
Q

Describe the rural-urban fringe.

Include a specific fact.

A

The rural-urban fringe is protected by a greenbelt and has some villages (e.g. Shenstone).

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14
Q

Name 3 areas where lots of migrants have moved to.

A

Inner city areas e.g:
* Small Heath
* Aston
* Sparkbrook
* Handsworth

SASH

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15
Q

Name 3 countries where migrants have emigrated from.

A
  • Pakistan
  • India
  • Bangladesh
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16
Q

Give 3 push factors for people to migrate from other places in the UK and abroad.

A

Any 3 from:
* War/conflict
* Poorly paid jobs
* Lack of employment opportunities
* Lack of facilities

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17
Q

Give 3 pull factors for people to migrate to Birmingham.

A

Any 3 from:
* Peace
* Well-paid jobs
* Employment opportunities
* Better & more accessible facilities
* Cheap housing

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18
Q

How has Birmingham’s age structure been affected by immigration?

A

National and international migration of students to areas such as Aston has led to studentification.
Migrants are often young, so are more likely to start families and have children.

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19
Q

Studentification

A

An increase in the number of young adults in an area. The services begin to reflect this and houses of multiple occupancy (where people from different households live in a building with common areas e.g. university accommodation) develop.

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20
Q

How has Birmingham’s ethnicity been affected by immigration?

Include a specific fact.

A

Areas where migrants have located are more ethnically diverse.
For example, the Balti triangle has a large number of balti restuarants - a new culture which allows other people to eat new foreign foods.

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21
Q

How has Birmingham been culturally affected by immigration?

Include a fact.

A

Areas where migrants have located have a greater cultural mix.
Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the UK.

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22
Q

How has Birmingham’s housing been affected by immigration?

A

Areas where migrants have located generally have high density terraced houses and tower blocks, which are cheaper and so more affordable.

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23
Q

How has the quantity of Birmingham’s services been affected by immigration?

A

Areas where migrants have located require a lot more services (e.g. health, education and employment) due to the high population.

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24
Q

Give an example of how migration has affected the services Birmingham provides.

A

There are large scale Diwali celebrations in the south and west of Birmingham.

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25
Q

Number of languages spoken by students in Birmingham schools.

A

108.

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26
Q

Give 3 reasons for the inequality within Birmingham.

A

Any 3 from:
* Poor housing
* Rapid population growth
* Poor education
* Lack of services

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27
Q

Where are the most affluent areas in Birmingham?

A

The most affluent areas are found on the periphery (e.g. Sutton Coldfield).

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28
Q

Where are the most deprived areas in Birmingham? (2)

A

The most deprived areas are found in the inner city and the south-west suburbs.

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29
Q

Explain why there are lots of deprived areas in Birmingham.

A

Inner city areas have lower employment levels (partially due to de-industrialisation) increasing pressure on ageing services and fewer qualifications, leading to a spiral of decline.
Lower income levels and old housing leads to increased health issues.

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30
Q

Explain why some areas in Birmingham have little deprivation.

A

Affluent areas have lots of economically-active people working in management.
Higher incomes and newer/improved housing stock, leisure services and big parks leads to improved health.
There is good quality education (including private schooling).

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31
Q

Give 3 reasons why parts of Birmingham have experienced decline.
Which parts of Birmingham in particular?

A
  • De-population
  • De-industrialisation
  • De-centralisation
    The inner city areas.
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32
Q

What % of housing in Birmingham was deemed unfit for being lived in?

A

In the 1950s, over 70% of housing in the inner city was deemed unfit for habitation.

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33
Q

How did Birmingham
(in general) attempt to renovate the inner city?

Give 3 ways.

A
  • CDAs removed slums and demolished whole areas.
  • New tower blocks with modern amenities were constructed.
  • More open green space was introduced.
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34
Q

Why did Birmingham’s inner city redevelopment cause the area to experience decline?

Include a statistic.

A

The residents had to move away during the renovations, and over 500,000 people between 1951 and 1971 did not return.

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35
Q

What caused de-industrialisation in inner city Birmingham?

Include a place and a statistic.

A

There were too many small, inefficient and overcrowded factories that were suffering due to competition abroad (e.g. in Digbeth).
50,000 jobs were lost between 1961 and 1971.

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36
Q

Statistic about UK’s secondary sector.

A

Manufacturing decreased from ~50% of the UK economy in 1948 to ~10% by 2010.

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37
Q

Define decentralisation.

A

The movement of people, factories, offices & shops away from the city centre to the suburbs.

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38
Q

What caused decentralisation in Birmingham?

A

The construction of the Merry Hill centre in Dudley & the growth of internet shopping reduced the number of shoppers in the Birmingham CBD.

39
Q

What effect was caused due to decentralisation in Birmingham?

A

Shops in the city centre closed and moved away.

40
Q

How did Birmingham attempt to reverse the effects of decentralisation? (2 ways)

A

Regeneration of the city centre has attracted new shops such as John Lewis and Selfridges to the Bullring.
The New Street railway station has been redeveloped (2010-2015). This includes a large shopping mall with John Lewis.

Commerce & transport.

41
Q

Has Birmingham’s redevelopments of the city centre and New Street railway station been successful? How?

A

Yes - the shopping malls have attracted shoppers back to the CBD.

42
Q

Give 5 reasons why parts of Birmingham have experienced economic and population growth.

A
  • Sprawl on the rural-urban fringe
  • Financial & business services
  • Investment by TNCs
  • Gentrification/studentification
  • Culture & leisure
43
Q

Give a statistic showing how Birmingham has undergone studentification.

A

Over 80% Selly Oak’s residents are students.

44
Q

Gentrification

A

The process where older (often run-down and so cheaper) parts of the city become culturally desirable, so welathier people move in and change the area. House prices increase, pushing poor residents out of the area.
This often occurs close to the city centre.

45
Q

Give an area of Birmingham that has undergone gentrification.
Describe how this area has been affected by gentrification.

A

Moseley.
The suburb has lots of large houses for factory owners, which became run-down after WW2. However the big Victorian houses attracted people back to the area from the 1980s.

46
Q

How has Birmingham undergone urban sprawl?

Give an example of where Birmingham has sprawled & the land uses there.

A

On the eastern edge of Birmingham, the rural-urban fringe has a mixture of urban & rural land uses (e.g. there is agricultural land and Birmingham International Airport).

47
Q

How has Birmingham’s caused the growth of the service sector and the investment of TNCs caused economic growth?

A

There has been a growth in financial and business services and investment by TNCs e.g. the arrival of Deutsche Post (Germany) Barclays and HSBC (Hong Kong).

48
Q

How has Birmingham’s culture & leisure facilities caused economic and population growth?

A

The Selfridges building in Birmingham’s CBD is a city landmark that encourages investment into the city.

49
Q

Define regeneration.

A

A long-term process where a region is invested in to reverse decline and create sustainable communities.

50
Q

Define rebranding.

A

The ways that a place is redeveloped and marketed to gain a new identity, which then attrats new investors and visitors.

51
Q

Give an example of regeneration in Birmingham.

A

The MG Rover car factory in Longbridge.

52
Q

Why did the MG car factory fall into decline?

A

Sales fell due to foreign competition, so the company was sold and moved abroad. This left a brownfield site with lots of derelict buildings.

53
Q

How was the MG car factory regenerated? (3)

Give a fact and a statistic or two.

A
  • Created a new 8km2 park
  • New building for Bournville College
  • Over 15,000km2 of shops
54
Q

Give 2 advantages of the Longbridge regeneration.

A
  • Parks improve the quality of the environment.
  • Building on brownfield sites has eased the pressure to build on greenfield sites at the edge of Birmingham.
55
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of the Longbridge regeneration.

A
  • Has caused gentrification of the area.
  • Shop keepers in Bromsgrove are worried that they might lose trade (like in Northfield)
56
Q

Give an example of rebranding in Birmingham.

A

Eastside.

57
Q

Why did the Eastside fall into decline?

A

In the industrial revolution, Eastside has lots of factories, but the area fell into decline as industry was reduced. Lots of these factory buildings became derelict and the canals dirty & clogged.

58
Q

How was Eastside rebranded? (2)

A
  • Millenium Point (science museum) replaced the former science museum.
  • New education hub was created (with Aston University & Matthew Boulton College).
59
Q

Give 2 advantages of the Eastside rebranding.

A

Any two from:
* Created over 10,000 jobs.
* An improved urban environment.
* More housing for people.

60
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of the Longbridge regeneration.

A

Any two from:
* Caused gentrification, so local people may be forced out of the area.
* Increased traffic congestion.
* The area will need more infrastructure (e.g. schools & health care services).

61
Q

Give 4 ways Birmingham is limiting its ecological footprint.

Name 3 initiatives and 1 statistic/fact.

A
  • Clean Air Zone
  • Cycle Revolution
  • Nearly 600 parks - more than any European city
  • Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust
62
Q

Give and explain 3 challenges to Birmingham’s sustainability.

Give 2 facts & 1 statistic.

A
  • 2018, 2022, 2023 bin strikes - one of the least sustainable cities due to waste.
  • Only ~ 30% of household waste is recycled compared to ~ 40% - more waste ends up in landfill.
  • Tram lines installed - expensive & break frequently.
63
Q

Explain how Birmingham’s transport has made the city more sustainable.

Give 1 statistic.

A

In Birmingham’s Cycle Revolution, almost £60 million spent on improving cycle lanes and encouraging the use of bikes.
Developments in public transport (e.g. tram lines) have led to a reduction in the city’s carbon emissions.

64
Q

Explain how Birmingham is improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.

A

The construction of the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust created jobs for the local community.
The houses have increased energy efficiency and is affordable.

65
Q

Explain how Birmingham is becoming more sustainable, in terms of reducing unsustainable energy use.

A

The Clean Air Zone charges vehicles that are inefficient or use diesel in the city centre.
This reduces pollution in the local area and greenhouse gas emissions.

66
Q

Give 3 ways Birmingham is interdependent with the accessible rural areas.

A
  • Trade of goods produced in Birmingham
  • Rural areas buy services from Birmingham
  • Commuters provide labour for Birmingham
67
Q

Give an example of a rural area that is interdependent with Birmingham.

A

Rural Worcestershire.

68
Q

Give a social, economic and environmental benefit to the independence between rural areas and urban Birmingham for Birmingham.

A

e.g.
Social: building homes in rural areas eases pressure on housing in Birmingham.

Economic: businesses in Birmingham can use the labour provided by commuters from rural areas.

Environmental: people in Birmingham can use rural areas for leisure & recreation.

69
Q

Give a social, economic and environmental benefit to the independence between rural areas and urban Birmingham for rural areas.

A

e.g.
Social: schools in rural areas can stay open as there are increasing numbers of children in these areas.

Economic: Birmingham provides a market for the food (e.g. milk & veg) produced in rural areas.

Environmental: old houses in rural areas are renovated and lived in.

70
Q

Give a social, economic and environmental cost to the independence between rural areas and urban Birmingham for Birmingham.

A

e.g.
Social: areas of recreation and countryside became overcrowded.

Economic: people in rural areas have to commute further for work, increasing car use. It costs more to pay for the increased fuel/energy use.

Environmental: people in rural areas have to commute further for work, adding to pollution from increased car use.

71
Q

Give a social, economic and environmental cost to the independence between rural areas and urban Birmingham for rural areas.

A

e.g.
Social: people living in rural areas may not use local shops & services, which may have to close.

Economic: gentrification of the rural area can increase house prices and so drive poor people from the neighbourhood.

Environmental: building on greenfield sites in rural areas can damage animal habitats & sensitive ecosystems.

72
Q

Give 4 reasons why the rural surroundings of Birmingham have changed.

A
  • Counter-urbanisation
  • Pressure on housing in Birmingham
  • Increased leisure & recreation
  • Population change (population growth in Birmingham)
73
Q

How has population growth affected Worcestershire?

A

More births, fewer deaths & international migration has meant more homes, jobs and services (e.g. shops & educational services) are needed.

74
Q

How has the demand for housing in Birmingham affected Worcestershire?

A

Urban sprawl has caused building on greenfield sites, locals forced away as house prices increase.

75
Q

How has increased/flexible leisure time affected Worcestershire?

A

More people want to be active and enjoy exercising in rural environments e.g. the Lickey Hills. More services are provided.

76
Q

How has counter-urbanisation affected Worcestershire?

A

More people want to live in the countryside, away from the pollution and noise of Birmingham, where the land is relatively cheap. This has led to urban sprawl and changes in local services (e.g. more designer stores).

77
Q

Statistic for the change in demand for housing.

A

Rose by over 60% in Birmingham in 2015.

78
Q

How many people are attracted to the Lickey Hills?

A

Over 500,000 visitors each year.

79
Q

Give 3 challenges of rural change.

A
  • Availability & affordability of housing
  • Declining primary employment
  • Provision of health care & education
80
Q

What has been the impact in rural areas of affordable housing?

A

Rural areas face issues with availability of housing.
This causes issues with affordability of housing as there is increased demand from the next generation, commuters and retirees.

81
Q

What has been the impact in rural areas of provision of healthcare and education?

A

As the number of children & patients shrink and bus services decline due to high car use, healthcare and education services close as these are expensive to run.

82
Q

Give 3 reasons why has there been a decline in primary employment in rural areas.

A
  • Cheaper imports
  • Mechanisation of farming equipment
  • Exhaustion of mineral deposits
83
Q

What has been the impact in rural areas of the decline in primary employment?

A

A decline in primary employment means that many people in rural areas have few job opportunities. This means they have to move to cities or diversify their existing work.
The remaining jobs are often seasonal, low-skilled and low-paid, causing a spiral of decline and leading to rural deprivation & perhaps depopulation.

84
Q

% of Worcestershire households with access to a car, as compared to the % of households in Britain.

A

Over 80% in Worcestershire, as compared to 65% in Britain.

85
Q

IMD

A

Index of Multiple Deprivation
A measure of 7 types of deprivation, ranking areas depending on their level of deprivation.

86
Q

Give 3 examples of things that the IMD examines.

A

Any three from:
* Income
* Employment
* Health care
* Education
* Access to housing & services
* Living environment
* Crime

87
Q

Give 2 groups of people that would be most affected by the challenges of rural change.

A
  • The young.
  • The elderly.
88
Q

Explain how the elderly are more severely affected by rural change.

A

The elderly are more likely to need health care.

89
Q

Explain how the young are more severely affected by rural change.

A

The young are more likely to need educational services, and eventually jobs and housing.

90
Q

Define rural diversification.

A

Branching out to other methods to make money instead of, or as well as , traditional sources of income.

91
Q

Give 4 examples of ways that people in rural areas may diversify.

A
  • Farm shops
  • Accomodation (e.g. farm stays)
  • Leisure activities (e.g. horse riding)
  • Tourism projects
92
Q

Give 3 advantages of rural diversification.

A

Any three from:
* Increased income
* Security (not as susceptible to the fluctuations in commodity prices)
* Can fund the continuation of traditional farming activities
* Development of new skills

93
Q

Give 3 costs to rural diversification.

A

Rural diversification can have environmental impacts, e.g.
* Increased numbers of visitors and so causes traffic congestion
* Increased footpath erosion & soil erosion
* Increased noise & light pollution
* Destruction of grass verges for parking