Urban Enviroments Flashcards

0
Q

What are the problems that face Birmingham?

A
There isn't enough housing.
Too much traffic and pollution.
The CBD contains many rundown and disused buildings.
Certain areas suffer high unemployment.
Ethnic segregation.
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1
Q

What are the attractions of Birmingham?

A

Balti triangle contains lots of curry houses.
Brinkley place is a modern development with hotels and restaurants.
Broad street contains many bars and clubs meaning a good night life.
The bullring is a shopping centre with 140 shops.
The city of Birmingham symphony orchestra and the Birmingham Royal ballet add to the culture.
St Paul’s square has lots if live music events.

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2
Q

How has the CBD in Birmingham changed?

A

It was once a big manufacturing centre where engineering and jewellery were large industries. However the factories faced competition from cheaper foreign goods and so went into decline, causing high unemployment and crime.

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3
Q

Explain the Birmingham’s bullring centre.

A

It was first built in the 1960s but looked rundown by the 80s. To get the economy of the CBD and the whole area going again, it was completely redeveloped and reopened in 2003. It now has 140 shops including a Selfridges. The shape has been redeveloped to make the city centre look inviting. 35 million people use it every year.

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4
Q

What has happened with Brindley place ?

A

It was an area of old warehouses next to a canal. £400 million was invested so it is now a smart ,modern, pedestrian zone of up market apartments, offices, hotels, restaurants and cafes. Nearby attractions include the national indoor arena and the sea life centre aquarium.

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5
Q

What has been done to redevelop the CDB of Birmingham?

A

Brindley place.
Bulls ring shopping centre.
Shopping streets have been pedestrianised and buildings in the Jewellery quarter have been restored making it more attractive to tourists.

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6
Q

Have the redevelopments to the CDB of Birmingham worked?

A

The physical environment has been improved meaning people want to live there, businesses want to work there and tourists want to visit. This means money is constantly being made and re invested. £550 million has been invested in the New Street railway station.

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7
Q

Why is housing important to the CDB of Birmingham ?

A

People with jobs in the CDB need a place to live. Universities and collages are often in city centres so they need a place to stay.
Living near work saves money and time.

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8
Q

Explain three types of people and what they need when living in a city.

A

Young professionals my be single or love as a couple. A flat in the city centre near the nightlife and shops will suit them.
Families will want to live in larger housing in a quieter area on the outskirts. They want a close school.
Students and lower paid people need cheaper housing. A flat or a room in a larger shared house.

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9
Q

How has the housing problem been addressed in Birmingham?

A

The government funded Urban living scheme is one of nine scheme set up in the north east of England set up to redevelop housing. The terraced houses in south Lozells have been replaced with new housing. Older housing has been refurbished. In north Lozells that were individual bed sit flats have become larger family homes. The improved housing has meant more people want to live there.

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10
Q

What is urbanisation?

A

It is the growth of the proportion of a population living in urban areas.

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11
Q

How does urbanisation change from richer and poorer nations?

A

In richer nations most of the population live in cities. 80% in the UK.
In poorer nations urbanisation is acting faster as there are more people in rural areas who want to go urban.
In Bangladesh 25% of people live in urban areas.

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12
Q

Why do people in poorer nations go urban?

A

They may be a lack of services in the country. ( education, hospitals, access to water and power). They think there will be a better standard of living in the city’s.
There are more jobs. Industry is in urban areas as there is a larger workforce and better infrastructure.

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13
Q

Why do people in richer nations go urban?

A

During the agricultural and industrial revolutions, machinery meant less people were needed on farms and jobs were created in factories in urban areas.
In the late 20th century people left the urban areas as there were rundown but now re-development means people are going back.

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14
Q

What increase urbanisation other than people moving to urban areas?

A

Young people often move to urban areas and they have children. They is often better healthcare in urban areas as well this increases the proportion of people livingthere.

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15
Q

What can be found in the CBD?

A

It is usually found in the centre of a city. It is a commercial centre with many shops and offices. High land value means lots is skyscrapers. Lots of transport to get in here and few people live there.

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16
Q

What is in the inner city?

A

This is around the CBD. There is a mixture of poor quality housing and older industrial buildings. It is often run down and deprived but areas are cleared for redevelopment.

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17
Q

What is in the suburbs?

A

This is where the housing is cheaper meaning the middle class will live there. People will commute into the city from here and here is less crime and pollution meaning it is better for family’s.

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18
Q

What is in the rural urban fringe?

A

It is the border between the city and the country. The land is used for farming and industry and you will find larger cheaper housing.

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19
Q

How can land use differ from different cities?

A

Shopping centres have been built out of town.
Inner city tower blocks have been replaced with housing estates on the rural urban fringe.
New housing is being built on derelict land in the inner city.

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20
Q

Name four problems in urban areas.

A

A shortage of housing, run down CBDs, traffic congestion and pollution from cars, ethnic segregation.

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21
Q

How can housing problems be solved?

A

Urban renewal schemes, building new towns, have incentives for relocating.

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22
Q

Explain urban renewal schemes.

A

They encourage investment in new housing,services and employment in derelict areas of a city.
An example is the dockland development in Liverpool, where derelict docklands were turned into high quality housing.

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23
Q

Explain the building of new towns.

A

Brans new towns have been built to house people who can’t live in other cities. Milton Keynes was first built in 1970.

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24
Q

Explain relocation incentives.

A

This encourages people to move from urban areas to rural ones. A London council has encourages older people to move from big houses in the city to go to the seaside and countryside. They have volunteers to help with the move and they provide money.

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25
Q

Why are out of town shopping centres taking customers from ones in the city?

A

They are easier to drive to, and the rent is cheaper meaning more shops go there.

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26
Q

What has been done to try and revitalise CBDs?

A

Pedestrianising areas to make it safer and nicer for shopping.
Improving access with better public transport and car parks.
Converting derelict warehouses and docks into new shops, restaurants and museums.
Improving public areas like parks and squares to make them more attractive.

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27
Q

What are the issues that comes about in cities because of cars?

A

More air pollution which can damage health and buildings.
More road accidents.
More traffic jams and congestion.

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28
Q

What can be done to reduce the effects of traffic?

A

Improving public transport. This means people use less cars and this reduces all the problems.
Increasing the cost of parking a car. This means less people use cars and use public transport instead.
Bus lanes. This means buses are faster, meaning more people will use them meaning less congestion.
Perdestrianisation of central areas. This removes traffic from the main shopping streets, meaning less accidents and pollution meaning it is more attractive to shoppers.

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29
Q

How does ethnic segregation happen?

A

People want to live close to people with the same background, first language and faith.
People live close to services important to the culture, like places of worship.
People from the same ethnic background often have little money so are restricted in where they can live. This means they all live where they is cheaper housing.

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30
Q

How can the effects of ethnic segregation, be reduced?

A

Insure that everyone can access information about the services e.g. Printing leaflets in different languages.
Improving communication between all parts of the community be involving the leaders of ethnic leaders when making decisions.
Providing interpreters in places like police stations and hospitals.
Insuring the services are suitable. E.g. Some cultures say you must see a doctor of the same sex meaning alternatives are provided.

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31
Q

What are the effects of ethnic segregation?

A

It means certain people won’t have access to services like healthcare and education.

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32
Q

Explain squatter settlements.

A

They are settlements that are built illegally around a city by those who can’t afford proper housing.
They are a problem nations like Brazil and India.
Many of the inhabitants are rural-urban immigrants.

33
Q

Explain the conditions of a squatter settlement.

A

Lack of services such as electricity, sewers and running water. medical, police and fire services.
Life expectancy is often low because of the dangerous conditions. Many people work in the settlement in the informal sector. The jobs aren’t taxed or monitored meaning the conditions are hard and pay is low.
However there is low crime, high employment, lots of recycling and lots of community sport.

34
Q

How can squatter settlements be improved?

A

Self-help schemes, site and device schemes, local authority schemes.

35
Q

Explain self help schemes.

A

The government works with the local people. The government provides building materials which the local people use to build houses. This means better housing and the money saved on labour can be used on services like electricity and sewers.

36
Q

Explain site and service schemes.

A

People pay a small amount of rent for a site, and they borrow money for building materials or to improve the house. The money raised is then used to provide basic services. This happens in the Dandora scheme in Nairobi, Kenya.

37
Q

Explain local authority schemes.

A

These are funded by the local government and improve the temporary accommodation built by residents. The city of Rio spent $120 million on the favela-bairro project, which aimed to improve the life of the inhabitants of the squatter settlements.

38
Q

Explain the environmental issues caused by rapid urbanisation and industrialisation.

A

People in cities produce a lot of waste. This will damage health and the environment, especially if it’s toxic.
Factories, vehicles and the burning of fuel causes air pollution.
Water pollution. Pollutants from the city get into rivers which causes health problems and damages wildlife.

39
Q

How is waste disposal a problem in urban areas?

A

This happens mostly in poorer nations as they don’t have a proper system for it.
They can’t afford to treat chemical waste or to install a sewage system.
It is on a large scale. Thousands of tonnes of waste can be generated everyday by a large city.
Poorer countries don’t have the infrastructure needed. Poor roads mean that lorries can’t collect the rubbish.

40
Q

What are the effects of air pollution?

A

Acid rain can damage the environment and buildings.
It can cause health problems like bronchitis and headaches.
Some pollutants harm the ozone layer.

41
Q

How can the effects if air pollution be manged?

A

Air quality standards should be set and the air constantly checked.

42
Q

What are the effects of water pollution?

A

Water pollution kills fish and other animals, disrupting the food chain.
Harmful chemicals build up in the food chain and poison the humans who eat the fish.
When water supplies are contaminated with sewage, typhoid and cholera can spread.

43
Q

How can water pollution be managed.

A

Building sewage treatment plants and passing laws forcing factories to remove pollutants from waste water.

44
Q

Why do poorer countries find it hard to manage pollution?

A

It costs a lot of money and requires good infrastructure and skilled workers.

45
Q

How can urban areas become more sustainable?

A

Have effect transport systems, carbon neutral homes, building on brownfield sites, conserving the natural environment and old buildings and reducing the amount of waste produced.

46
Q

Explain schemes to reduce waste and safely dispose of it.

A

If more is recycled, less resources are used to make things. Less waste is produced meaning less goes into landfill.
Safely disposing of toxic waste prevents air and water pollution.

47
Q

Explain the conservation of the natural environment and historic buildings.

A

If they get used up ( built on or knocked down) the future can’t use them. Historic buildings can be restored and the natural environment protected.

48
Q

Explain building on brownfield sites.

A

They’re are derelict sites that aren’t being used for anything. Building on it means it looks nicer and green land isn’t built on.

49
Q

Explain the building of carbon neutral homes.

A

Carbon neutral homes generate their own power by using solar panels to produce energy. BedZED is an example.

50
Q

Explain having an effect transport system.

A

Good public transport means fewer cars, thus reducing pollution. Buses, trains and trams use less energy and give out less pollution.
Some buses in London are hydrogen powered and only emit water.

51
Q

What is the structure of a city in a MEDC?

A

Going from the centre outwards.

CBD, inner city, the suburbs and the rural urban fringe.

52
Q

What are the social issues in Dharaby?

A

One million people in one square mile.
Cramped the poorly built housing.
A 12 by 12 feet house can be shared by a large extended family.
Lack of good infrastructure. One toilet for 500 people.
Typhoid and chloria are common. 4000 causes a day.
Fire hazard.
Space is used communally and there is virtually no crime.

53
Q

What are the economic issues in Dharaby?

A

Lots of different communities focusing on one aspect.
85% employment.
700-800 things made a day.
15 000 one room factories which have a billion dollar turnover.
Illegal and un-taxed. Unregulated and no safety.
Child labour is used.

54
Q

What are the environmental issues in Dharaby?

A

No good sewage system.
Water is only accessed every 2 days.
One tap is shared with 12 homes.
No proper sanitation. Open fires burn stuff. Lots of rats.

55
Q

Explain the congestion charge.

A

Cameras photograph licence plates as cars go into or leave the congestion zones. This is remembered in the data base and you are charged.

56
Q

What are the problems with the congestion charge?

A

Costs 85 million pounds a year to run. 30% of businesses reported a drop in trade. People have to pay to get to work.

57
Q

What are the positives of the congestion charge?

A

Congestion has fallen by 30% and the volume of traffic fell by 15%. 22% of business reported an increase in revenue.

58
Q

What is the case study for rapid urbanisation in poorer parts of the world?

A

Cairo Egypt.

59
Q

Where is Cairo and give information on the population.

A

Northern African nation of Egypt.
One of the worlds 26 mega cities. In 1995 greater Cairo had a population of 12 million. Population growth from 4.5 million to 16 million in 40 years.

60
Q

What are the issues and solutions of traffic in Cairo?

A

2 million vehicles. These are old cars meaning they produce large amounts of pollution. Traveling to work times are very large.
Solutions. A Massive ring road has been built around the city to ease traffic congestion. A modern metro system has been built. It carries 2 million people a day.

61
Q

What are the issues of sewage, water and air pollution in Cairo?

A

The sewage system was created in 1910 when the population was half a million. It leaks and doesn’t reach the poor people.
There is inadequate waste disposal.
The waste causes lots of rats and vermin. Leekages are causing the water table to rise and rot the foundations of thousands of homes.
Fumes from the vehicles , suspended particles and sand blown from the dessert means there is 5-10 times the recommended amount of particles in the air.
This is worse in the industrial areas. It causes high blood pressure, kidney problems, infertility and a IQ drop. It kills up to 25000 people.

62
Q

What are the solutions to the problems of pollution in Cairo?

A

Change to unleaded petrol. The Cairo air improvement project has 36 air monitoring stations.
New industrial machines have been made that are less polluting, factories have been relocated and vehicles have random emissions tests.

63
Q

What are the issues of expanding in Cairo?

A

Can’t be done into the north because of the fertile lands of the Nile delta or much in the east because of mountains.
There is some in the Muqaltam hills, but lots of water has to be pumped into the aired land. To the east is a necropolis.
In the south, the valley narrows sharply so most of the development happens in the west, into the desert.

64
Q

What are the solutions of expanding in Cairo?

A

New satellite and domitory towns such as Sadat aim to disperse some of the population. Some have projected populations of over a million.

65
Q

What are the issues of housing and management in Cairo?

A

Informal housing covers 80% of Cairo.
Brick built houses are built illegally on state owned irrigated green land. Half a million people live illegally in homemade huts on roof space.
Private land lords build more floors on buildings to get more apartments.
2-3 million people live in the tombs of old Cairo.

66
Q

What is the population density of Cairo?

A

33,000 people per square Km.

67
Q

What are the solutions of housing in Cairo?

A

There are plans to construct 40 new settlements, capable of housing 15 million people located in the dessert, away from irrigated land.
Example. 6th October city. It has multi storey apartments, which include gardens, mosques, schools, shopping centres and industrial zones. These attract people to leave Cairo.
There are also loans and mortgages offered to prospective residents and there is also a new super high way providing 30 minute links to Cairo.

68
Q

What are the causes of population growth in Cairo?

A

A person is born every 30 seconds.

Life expectancy increases from 52 to 67 years in 25 years because of a 70% growth in healthcare.

69
Q

What and where is BedZED?

A

It is in Beddington and is the UK’s largest sustainable community.

70
Q

What are the features of BedZED that save water?

A

Sedum is put on the roofs and it absorbs water so it doesn’t simply pour down. It will release the rain water gently so it can be collected and used for flushing toilets.

71
Q

How is energy saved in BedZED?

A

No central heating or air conditioning as the thick walls trap in and keep out, heat.
South facing homes so there is light and heat for winter.
On the roofs there are rotating vents so the wind ventilates the buildings.
Waste Wood chips are burnt to produce electricity.

72
Q

What is the case study for developing a squatter settlement?

A

The Favela-Bairro project which it developing Rio de Janeiro which is in the south east of Brazil.

72
Q

When did the Favela-Bairro project start ?

A

1995

72
Q

How squatter settlements are in Rio de Janeiro?

A

600 (favelas) housing one firth of the population-more than one million people.

73
Q

Where did the money for the Favela-Bairro project come from?

A

40% of the $300 million came from the local authorities. The rest was paid by an international organisation called the inter American development project.

74
Q

How many are involved in the Favela-Bairro project?

A

253000 people in 73 favelas.

75
Q

What social improvements has the Favela-Bairro project produced?

A

Day care centres and after school schemes look after children while the parents are at work.
Adult education classes improve adult literacy.
Services to help people with drug and alcohol addiction and with domestic violence.

76
Q

What economic improvements has the Favela-Bairro project produced?

A

Resents can apply to legally own their property.

Training schemes to help young people learn skills to find better jobs and earn more.

77
Q

What environmental improvements has the Favela-Bairro project produced?

A

Wooden buildings have been replaced with brick ones and homes have been removed from steep slopes.
Widening and paving of streets allows better access (especially for emergency services)
Provision if basic services such as water, electricity and weekly rubbish collection.

78
Q

How is the Favela-Bairro project community oriented?

A

Residents chose which improvements they want in their own favela. They feel involved.
Neighbourhood associations are formed to communicate with the residents and make decisions.
The new services are staffed by residents, providing income and helping them learn new skills.

79
Q

How has the Favela-Bairro project been a success ?

A

The standard of loving and health of the residents has improved.
The property value in favelas that are part of the programme have increased by 80-120%
The number of local businesses has almost doubled.