5a - UK’s Human Landscape Flashcards
(18 cards)
Describe the population differences between the urban cores and rural areas in the UK
- pop density high in cities and around these
- also high where major cities have turned to conurbations (towns that’ve merged to form continuous urban areas)
- rural areas sparsely populated
Describe the age structure differences between the urban cores and rural areas in the UK
- urban cores have a younger population as ppl often live in cities to be closer to their jobs, so higher proportion of this population is of working age
- rural areas have an older population as people move out of cities to retire to a more peaceful environment and youngers leave rural areas to work
Describe the economic activites and settlement differences between the urban cores and rural areas in the UK
- urban cores have higher economic activity with main employment opportunities in tertiary sector and secondary
- more better paid jobs available so people live here
- rural areas more dependent on primary industry, and seasonal tourism industry
- fewer job opportunities
- some rural settlements near urban areas have become commuter settlements
What 3 UK and EU gov policies have been attempted to reduce these differences?
- Creating enterprise zones
- Transport infrastructure
- Regional development
How has creating enterprise zones reduced wealth differences?
- UK gov made 55 enterprise zones which offer companies benefits eg reduced tax, simpler planning rules, improved infrastructure (ie fast broadband)
- encouraged companies to locate in areas of high unemployment bringing jobs and income helping rural areas to develop
How has investment in transport infrastructure reduced wealth differences?
- UK gov had plans to link major cities with high speed rail lines, HS2 which would increase capacity and allow faster journeys, promoting industry and jobs in rural areas
How has regional development reduced differences in wealth?
- when UK was in EU, EU used European Regional Development Fund to promote growth in rural areas by investing in small high tech businesses, providing training to improve local’s skills and funding infrastructure
- this attracted young businesses, creating skilled jobs, attracting young graduates, boosting economy
- Sustainable Farming Incentive is a UK government scheme providing funding for farmers helping to improve food production and sustainability. Farmers rewarded for sustainable practices
How has national and international migration altered the population (number) geography of the UK?
- half pop growth by natural increase (more births than deaths)
- half pop growth by migration
How has national and international migration altered the population (distribution) geography of the UK?
- young national migrants & most international migrants move to major cities, for jobs and unis
- counter urbanisation as wealthy ppl move out to seek a better qol in rural areas
- many older people move to coastal areas when they retire
How has national and international migration altered the population (age structure) geography of the UK?
- large no of young migrants (20-29) increases population in this age group
- many migrants are of child-bearing age so they have children, accounting for a lot of babies born
How has UK and EU immigration policy contributed to ethnic and cultural diversity?
- after WW2, UK encouraged immigration from commonwealth countries to fill shortages in UK workforce
- restricted entries later but work permits for migrants with desirable skills available (many indopak)
- EU allowed free movement of ppl within member countries causing increased European migrants to UK
- immigrants introduced languages, food, arts, festivals etc
How has primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors changed?
- primary decreased due to mechanisation of farming and mining declining due to competition from abroad and cheaper alternative fuels
- secondary decreased due to the global shift (relocation of manufacturing to developing countries/ outsourcing) due to cheaper costs
- also influenced by privatisation which sold businesses to TNCs with no incentive to stay in UK
- tertiary increased as people have more disposable income to spend
- quaternary increased (IT, R&D), making use of skilled uni graduates
What is FDI?
Where a company based in 1 country invests money into a different country
Two forms:
- buy land/building and locate their office or factory there
- buying all or part of an existing business
How has globalisation led to increased FDI?
Globalisation (countries becoming more integrated) increases FDI as:
- transport & comms improved making it easier for companies to operate in UK
- London developed as a global financial centre, so many foreign banks locate here because of networking opportunities and business culture
How has free-trade policies (UK and EU) increased FDI?
- reduces import and export restrictions (tariffs and barriers), making it easier to trade
- when UK was in EU,companies could move goods/services freely between UK and home country easier
- after leaving EU, UK has been negotiating new free trade agreements
How has privatisation increased FDI?
- services run by uk gov, offered to private firms
- increases FDI as foreign firms can buy them or merge them with their existing business
Describe the role of TNCs in the UK economy
+ creates jobs through outsourcing
+ large scale projects can be built that UK gov cant afford
- local businesses struggle to compete against TNCs
- if TNCs relocate, dependent businesses (or farmers) can lose sales
Two reasons for regional variations in ethnic diversity (4)
- migrants seek living spaces where there are established communities of their ethnic group, so large cities with these communities with their cultural assets are attractive
- job availability greater in cities, so more migrants move to larger cities such as london
