Changing Urban Environments

Question 1

What was the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC)?

Answer 1

A UDC that was set up in 1981 to try and improve the social, economic and environmental conditions of the London Docklands inner city area. It ran for 17 years ending in 1998

Question 2

Why did the London docklands go into decline and why was it in need of regeneration?

Answer 2

In the 1970s, ships grew in size and needed deeper water so could not navigate the Thames through its meanders
Container ships and computerisation replaced the need for many dockworkers
By 1980s, the docks had closed, over half the land was derelict, there were very few jobs, transport was poorly developed, housing was in need of urgent repair, lack of basic services and leisure amenities

Question 3

What is the FUNCTION of a settlement?

Answer 3

The ‘work’ or purpose of a settlement. It relates to its economic and social development and its main activities.
Every settlement has a function and functions change over time

Question 4

Causes of urbanisation in LEDCs

Answer 4

Overpopulation puts pressure on the land - food shortages, famine.
Lack of services for example difficult to access healthcare.
High rates of natural increase among youthful population has fuelled this urban growth.
Wider range of jobs, from drug dealing and prostitution to selling items.
People can always access food in the city, where as in rural areas if you can’t grow it you can’t.
Government schemes encouraging urbanisation.

Question 5

Examples of settlement functions

Answer 5

Market town (eg. Guildford)
Cultural+religious (eg. York)
Academic (eg. Oxford)
Ports (eg. Plymouth)
Tourist resorts (eg. Brighton)
(don't bother learning the towns I just added it)

Question 6

Environmental ways of maintaining a sustainable city

Answer 6

Designated areas of accessible open space e.g. parks
Building nature conservations - conserves nature for future generations
Building on brownfield sites - makes city look nicer and stops the green space from being used up so it can be used in the future
Recycling schemes - less resources used up or wasted in landfill sites
Safe disposal of toxic waste - helps reduce water pollution and contamination

Question 7

Boris bike advantages:

Answer 7

Cheap, easy, efficient and healthy mode of transport. Reduces travel and there are a lot of them.

Question 8

What strategies are there to try and reduce housing shortages in MEDCs?

Answer 8

Urban renewal schemes
New towns
Relocation incetives

Question 9

What are the causes of waste disposal problems?

Answer 9

Expanding cities - a large city can create 1000s of tonnes of waste per day
Electronic waste of computers
Money issues - poorer countries often can’t afford to dispose of waste safely e.g. toxic waste has to be treated and this can be expensive, often more urgent problems like healthcare
Infrastructure - poorer countries don’t have the infrastructure needed e.g. poor roads in squatter settlements mean waste disposal lorries can’t get in to collect rubbish

Question 10

Describe the burgess model for MEDCs.

Answer 10

The middle is the CBD (large shops and office blocks).
Then a zone of manufacturing (inner city).
Then old poor quality housing mixed with industry.
Then medium cost housing.
Then new and expensive housing.

Question 11

Where do most people live in MEDCs?

Answer 11

Most of the population in richer countries already live in urban areas e.g. more than 80% of the UK’s population live in urban areas

Question 12

Strategies to manage air pollution

Answer 12

Companies should use a cleaner, more renewable source of energy
Carbon tax
Use of low sulphur coal
Attempts to reduce traffic in the city
Setting air quality standards for industries
Monitoring levels of pollutants to check their safe

Question 13

How can CBDs be improved?

Answer 13

1) Pedestrianising areas - safer and nicer for shoppers, attracting more people to the CBD
2) Improving access with better transport links and better car parking - more accessible, easier to get there, people will be more attracted to visit
3) Improving public areas e.g. parks and squares - making them more attractive for people to visit
4) Introducing security cameras - help reduce rates of crime, making CBD safer and if people living there feel safer, this improves their quality of life

Question 14

What is City Challenge?

Answer 14

A big initiative of the 1990s, where local authorities, private companies and the local community worked together to improve housing, environment and services.

Question 15

Describe the Hoyt model in LEDCs

Answer 15

In the middle large shops and offices.
The line Vertically through it is new and expensive housing.
On the left of this is suburban luxury housing.
The line horizontally on the right is modern factories.
The small circle around this is improve shanties.
The bigger circles are shanty towns.

Question 16

Problems with the suburbs.

Answer 16

High land and housing price, services are far away.

Question 17

Strategies to manage water pollution

Answer 17

Water treatment plans e.g. Ganges river and Shanghai
Building sewage treatment plants
Passing laws which force factories to remove pollutants from waste water

Question 18

Public transport advantages:

Answer 18

Children go free on bus. 
20 hours a day. 
Air conditioned. 
Rather frequent. 
New buses and bus lanes.

Question 19

Name some causes of urbanisation in MEDCs

Answer 19

Mechanisation of agriculture in the 19th century lead to unemployment amongst workers.
Movement of young people to attend tertiary education.
Access to better health care.
Redevelopment.
Bright light syndrome.
Lack of services for example living far away from a local high school.

Question 20

New transport links in the docklands

Answer 20

DLR, Jubilee Line

Question 21

The land use of a CBD.

Answer 21

Shops, banks, offices, entertainments.

Question 22

What are the issues facing many urban areas?

Answer 22

1) Shortage of good quality housing
2) Run down CBDs
3) Traffic congestion and pollution from cars
4) Ethnic segregation

Question 23

Solutions to problems in Kibera (individuals)

Answer 23

Use of kerosene lamps
Attaching cables to top of houses for power
People with basic first aid knowledge help people and can sometimes access vaccines
Adults teach families skills to make money
Rubbish is put in piles in bags at the side of a road

Question 24

Why is there housing crisis in the UK?

Answer 24

Population has increased by 7% since 1971 and is expected to increase.
More people living alone - higher divorce rates, young people moving out.
There are over 1 million empty properties because people cannot afford to modernise them.
Rising demand for second homes.

Question 25

Reasons for segregation

Answer 25

1) If they have arrived recently from overseas and don't speak the same language, they are with people who speak the same language as them 2) People will want to live near to services that are important to their culture e.g. places of worship 3) People can feel a sense of similarity, safety and security when living with people of the same ethnicity 4) People are less susceptible to racism from others living around them as they are of the same ethnicity

Question 26

Characteristics of squatter settlements

Answer 26

Stacked, overcrowded housing - unplanned and unsafe, lots of people living together, can cause spread of disease Glassless windows - cold, bad living conditions Marginal land - steep, dangerous, undesirable. Stealing from power lines - unsafe Open sewage - disease and bad living conditions Corrugated iron, cardboard - bad materials, poorer people No clean water supply - high risk of disease OR Water containers - improved water supply, lower risk of contamination Rubbish left on the street - no proper rubbish collection in the narrow streets No proper streets - people do not have the money or space to build them, can cause safety issues

Question 27

How does Curitiba have plenty of open space and conserved natural environments?

Answer 27

Green space has increased significantly (0.5m2 pp 1970-52m2 pp in 1990) Over 1000 parks- many in flood-prone areas so that land is useful but no serious damage if floods 1.5 million trees along streets Builders are given tax breaks if projects include green space

Question 28

Where is urbanisation happening the fastest?

Answer 28

LEDCs, at a fast pace

Question 29

Schemes to improve squatter settlements

Answer 29

Self-help Schemes - local authorities help those living in squatter settlements to improve their homes by offering loans and often installing clean water supply, sanitation and safe waste disposal Site and Service Schemes - land is divided into individual plots and water, sanitation, electricity and basic road layouts are supplied, before any building begins Local Authority Schemes - these are funded by the local government and are about improving the temporary accommodation built by residents

Question 30

Map evidence for the RUF.

Answer 30

Open space, golf courses, parks, fields, detached houses.

Question 31

Map evidence for a CBD.

Answer 31

COL (schools), main roads, churches, hotels, museums.

Question 32

Cause of air pollution

Answer 32

Expanding cities | Industry responsible for CO2 emissions

Question 33

What were Urban Development Corporations?

Answer 33

A major strategy introduced in the 1980s by the Government to improve conditions in inner cities The aim was to regenerate inner city areas with large amounts of derelict and unused land by taking over planning responsibility from local councils

Question 34

How successful was the London Docklands regeneration?

Answer 34

Yes - improved housing, improved accessibility, more trade and thousands of new jobs for locals No - original residents couldn't afford new expensive housing, reduction in community spirit

Question 35

Disadvantages of congestion charge:

Answer 35

Buses give off nitrous oxide emissions, it's quite expensive.

Question 36

Impacts of air pollution

Answer 36

Pollution in cities - can cause health problems like headaches and bronchitis Coal-fired power stations cause deaths High levels of CO2 cause global warming Some pollutants destroy the ozone layer which protect us from the sun's harmful rayas

Question 37

Transport ways of maintaining a sustainable city

Answer 37

Good, efficient public transport system Less car use, so less pollution Systems to link city centres with outskirts

Question 38

What were the impacts of the LDDC on the London Docklands inner city?

Answer 38

Social - a total of 24,046 new homes were built, a national indoor sports centre and a marina for watersports was built Environmental - 762 hectares of derelict land reclaimed, 17 conservation areas set up Economic - 85,000 people now work in the London Docklands area, Canary Wharf regeneration - major banks

Question 39

How is Curitiba reducing car use?

Answer 39

Very efficient bus system (BRT) -reduce boarding time, bus only lanes Cheap fare for everyone-benefits poorer people living on the outskirts 200km of bike paths Car use is 25% lower than national average and one of the lowest levels of air pollution in Brazil

Question 40

How do the inhabitants help to improve their squatter settlements over time?

Answer 40

Neighbours help each other with building and some have even built small schools Inhabitants slowly try to improve their housing with better quality materials

Question 41

What did UDCs do?

Answer 41

They had to power to buy and reclaim land, convert old buildings and improve infrastructure through the investment of government money They also attracted private sector investment through offering companies reduced taxes and other benefits and in doing so, they promoted industrial, residential and community developments

Question 42

Strategies to support multiculturalism

Answer 42

1) Making sure everyone can access information about services e.g. printing leaflets in different languages 2) Providing interpreters at places like hospitals and police stations 3) Including people from all ethnic communities in local politics 4) Acceptance of traditional and religious dress in schools and society

Question 43

Park and ride advantages:

Answer 43

Quicker way to get into the city.

Question 44

Characteristics of a squatter settlement after one year

Answer 44

1) Corrugated iron roofs, cardboard walls, waste material 2) No toilets or running water 3) Informal sector jobs

Question 45

Appearance of the suburbs

Answer 45

Middle-Class Housing: Open space, houses with gardens. High-Class Housing: Family areas, detached housing

Question 46

Where is Curitiba and what is its population?

Answer 46

Southern Brazil, 1.8 million people

Question 47

Changes that have happened in the CBD

Answer 47

Major changes in C20th: Reducing traffic congestion and pollution. Creating more pleasant and safer environment (CCTV, street furniture, lighting) Segregating shoppers and traffic. Revitalising CBDs as some shops have left e.g. Birmingham CBD

Question 48

Where do most people live in LEDCs?

Answer 48

Not many of the population in poorer countries currently live in urban areas e.g. around 25% of the population of Bangladesh live in urban areas

Question 49

What are Local Authority Schemes?

Answer 49

These are funded by the local government and are about improving the temporary accommodation built by residents

Question 50

Land use of an inner city

Answer 50

Light Manufacturing: Large factories, railways, disposing of waste, partially residential. Old/Low Class Residential: Residential, Canals, corner shops, social meeting place.

Question 51

Most settlements are...

Answer 51

Multifunctional

Question 52

Characteristics of a squatter settlement after 10-20 years

Answer 52

1) Better quality houses with more secure structure and bricks 2) Simple sewage system and water being piped 3) Roads are paved with gravel and some houses buy electricity 4) Some regular employment in multinational factories

Question 53

How do urban renewal schemes help housing shortages in MEDCs?

Answer 53

Government strategies (first used in the 1990s) to encourage investment in new housing and services in derelict inner city areas e.g. Dockland development in Liverpool

Question 54

What are Curitiba's aims?

Answer 54

Improve the environment Reduce pollution and waste Improve quality of life for residents

Question 55

Disadvantages of public transport:

Answer 55

Congested. Tube/bus strikes. Aesthetically unpleasing.

Question 56

What do you need to do when using map skills?

Answer 56

Only use information from the map, that you can see on the map. Unless the question asks you to, do not use local knowledge for map skills questions - ALWAYS use map evidence.

Question 57

Map evidence for the inner city.

Answer 57

Light Manufacturing: Often found along a river, railway or canal. Near terraced housing. Large buildings. Old/Low Class Residential: Straight rows of small houses. Streets close together. Little to no green space. Often close to a factory, railways or canal.

Question 58

Features of a CBD.

Answer 58

High rise buildings, high number of shops and services, DIURNAL population density, high land prices so the land use is not residential

Question 59

Positive impacts of reclaiming derelict land

Answer 59

The area is more aesthetically pleasing an there's more space for newer better quality housing.

Question 60

Land use of the RUF

Answer 60

Golf courses, business parks, airports, theme parks.

Question 61

Why are CO2 emissions bad for the environment

Answer 61

CO2 builds up in the atmosphere, doesn't allow heat from the sun to escape, heats up air temperatures, also leading to thermal expansion and rising sea levels.

Question 62

Problems in Kibera

Answer 62

80% has no electricity - no heating leads to more disease. No clinics or hospitals so huge numbers die from curable diseases. 50% unemployment rate, not enough food Heavily polluted water, no toilet facilites

Question 63

What is multiculturalism?

Answer 63

The act of celebrating cultural diversity, ethnic and racial diversity and teaching tolerance.

Question 64

Problems and decline in the CBD

Answer 64

Pollution (light, air and sound) - impacts quality of life and health Overcrowding in CBDs - cause delays and traffic jams which are inconvenient and anger people. Crime - impacts shops and other people Decline due to shops moving to out of town shopping centres and online shopping Conflict between ethnic groups and elderly people and youths and tourists

Question 65

What is urban decline?

Answer 65

The process whereby previously functioning city falls into disrepair. Economy shrinks, unemployment increases and public places become derelict and run down. Crime, fragmented families and an inhospitable city landscape result.

Question 66

Solutions to problems in Kibera (NGOs)

Answer 66

Medicins San Frontiers set up clinics Sanitation improvement via 'PeePeople' scheme where people sell their waste to be turned into fertiliser Charities seek out orphans and look after them Charities give courses on skills e.g. sewing

Question 67

How does litter cause disease?

Answer 67

Litter may attract rats, flies and other vermin which carry infectious diseases

Question 68

Go through the vicious cycle of poverty.

Answer 68

High unemployment leads to people having less money to spend on goods and services. Less tax and business rates all paid to the local council. The local council invests less in housing, roads, and education. Young people leave school with pew a qualification which leads back to high unemployment which also leads to petty crime.

Question 69

Problems of an inner city.

Answer 69

Factories cause visual pollution. Cramped housing, crime, unemployment.

Question 70

Appearance of the RUF

Answer 70

``` Private estates or outer city council housing. Low population and building density. High quality housing. Built in the 1960s. Large gardens. ```

Question 71

Map evidence of suburbs.

Answer 71

Middle-Class Housing: Schools and parks nearby, streets usually straight. High-Class Housing: Semi detached houses

Question 72

Key features of a sustainable city (there are 10. Ik.)

Answer 72

1) Services are accessible to all including cultural and social facilities 2) Public transport is seen as a viable alternative to cars and is safe and reliable 3) Walking and cycling is safe 4) Areas of open space are safe, accessible and enjoyable 5) Wherever possible, renewable resources are used instead of non-renewable resources 6) Waste is seen as a resource and is recycled wherever possible 7) New homes are energy efficient 8) There is access to affordable housing 9) Communities work together, to deal with issues such as crime/security 10) Investment is made to the CBD

Question 73

Impacts of water pollution

Answer 73

Harms ecosystems, kills fish, disrupts food chain Contamination of water supplies with sewage can cause water-borne diseases e.g. cholera Harmful chemicals can build up in the food chain and poison humans who eat fish from polluted water

Question 74

Kibera slum Nairobi facts

Answer 74

``` 1 million slum dwellers. Biggest slum in Africa. Each shack costs £6 per month. No clinics or hospitals. 400 people use the same latrine. Over 50% unemployment rate. Drugs is an increasing problem. Heavily polluted. Over 200,000 children have lost one if. Or both parents. ```

Question 75

How do new towns help housing shortages in MEDCs?

Answer 75

Built to house the overspill population from existing towns with a housing shortage e.g. Milton Keynes

Question 76

What are the problems of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in LEDCs?

Answer 76

Waste disposal Air pollution Water pollution

Question 77

What is sustainable development

Answer 77

Meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 78

Appearance of an inner city

Answer 78

Light Manufacturing: Large buildings and factories (ugly), open space. No gardens or terraced housing. Old/Low Class Residential: Smaller, compact, terraced housing. Factories and no gardens.

Question 79

Social ways of maintaining a sustainable city

Answer 79

Including local people in decision making process, community involvement Provision of an efficient public transport system Low poverty rate High job availability with good pay and good working conditions

Question 80

Solutions to problems in Kibera (government)

Answer 80

Some power is provided by Kenya Power and Lighting Company for those who can pay for it Kibera Integrated Water, Sanitation and Waste Management Project - Construction of 2.5km road and 1.8km of storm water drains Communal sanitation facilities Small scale door-to-door waste collection

Question 81

Positive impacts of sustainability in Curitiba

Answer 81

Reduced Car Use - Less pollution means environment won't be damaged for future residents and doesn't use fossil fuels, which are finite resources Conserved Green Open Spaces - means they will still be good for future residents Recycling - means that fewer resources are used and less waste goes to landfill - more resources for future generations Better Quality of Life - 99% of residents said they were happy with their town

Question 82

Impacts of waste disposal problems

Answer 82

Toxic chemicals inside electronic waste can cause serious health issues Environmental issues can lead to death and health problems Contamination of habitats of animals Can lead to disease

Question 83

Disadvantages of park and ride scheme:

Answer 83

The machines to buy tickets are complex and buses leave with customers still queuing for tickets. It's also quite expensive.

Question 84

What are some solutions to help reduce traffic and its impacts?

Answer 84

1) Improving public transport - encourages people to use public transport instead of cars, which reduces traffic congestion, traffic jams and accidents 2) Increasing car parking charges in city centres - discourages car use, so people are more likely to use public transport instead 3) Bus priority lanes - these speed up bus services so people are more likely to use them 4) Pedestrianisation of central areas - removes traffic from the main shopping streets which reduces the number of accidents and air pollution levels, also makes these areas more attractive to shoppers

Question 85

Land use of suburbs

Answer 85

Middle-Class Housing: Mainly residential, some shops, schools. High-Class Housing: Residential, educational, commercial.

Question 86

Causes of water pollution

Answer 86

Expanding cities lead to more industrialisation and factories release industrial chemicals into water sources like rivers and streams

Question 87

Key features of LEDC cities

Answer 87

Rapid growth is sustained by a combination of rural-urban migration and natural increase within populations. Urban population growth outstrips economic growth rates. Wide disparities in wealth and quality of life are evident. Government has inconsistent policy approaches to control urban growth.

Question 88

How was Birmingham's CBD revitalised?

Answer 88

New and improved buildings e.g. Bull Ring with 146 shops and Moor Street Station - more attractive to visit Pedestrianisation - safer, less overcrowded Encouraged public transport use and cycling New CBD attracts business

Question 89

How is Curitiba working towards sustainability?

Answer 89

Reducing car use Plenty of open spaces and conserved natural environments Good recycling system

Question 90

How do relocation incentives help housing shortages in MEDCs?

Answer 90

Used to encourage people living in large council houses, who don't really need to, move out of urban areas. This frees up houses in urban areas for others e.gt. working families

Question 91

Want to solutions to the housing problems in LEDCs need to appreciate?

Answer 91

Slums naturally improve over time. They are called building sites rather than wastelands. Appropriate government intervention will accelerate improvement.

Question 92

Advantages of congestion charge:

Answer 92

Helps the environment as people would rather take public transport. Electric cars go for free.

Question 93

What are the effects of living in squatter settlements on people's lives?

Answer 93

- People living there don't have access to basic services like clean running water, proper sewers or electricity, may also lack policing, medical services and fire fighting - life expectancy is often lower than in the main city, lower quality of life due to crime and illnesses - Many inhabitants work in the informal sector (e.g. selling hand made goods or washing clothes) and these jobs aren't taxed or monitored by the government - people often work long hours for little pay, lower standard of living - Overcrowded, stacked housing means lots of people living together, disease can spread easily - Litter and plastic in water sources or streets - Litter may attract rats, flies and other vermin which carry infectious diseases, these spread easily because of the high population density living in unsanitary conditions * But squatter settlements often have a strong community spirit

Question 94

Why does urbanisation in LEDCs lead to slums?

Answer 94

Cities cannot support the population increase, not enough services. Rural migrants have little skills so they can't be employed. They make temporary shelters. These temporary shelters become squared settlements that tend to be found on marginal land. They usually work in the informal sector.

Question 95

Urban zones have different land uses. Due to what issues to they develop these land uses?

Answer 95

``` Space available Age of area Accessibility Land values Wealth Planning policies ```

Question 96

Disadvantages of Boris bikes:

Answer 96

Can only be taken out for 30 minutes at a time without being additionally charged. They don't provide helmets. Anyone can hire them at any level of cycling. Can be quite dangerous especially in central London.

Question 97

How can residents benefit from a government inner city scheme?

Answer 97

Increase in safety and security - better quality of life More good quality housing - better standard of living Reduced crime rates - better quality of life Happier to live there - better quality of life

Question 98

Characteristics of a squatter settlement after 1-10 years

Answer 98

1) Improved roofs and more sustainable houses 2) Electricity illegally stolen from overhead power lines 3) Sanitation is still an issue and no running water

Question 99

Problems in a CBD.

Answer 99

Land price is high, tourism can cause conflicts with residents, lots of noise and air pollution.

Question 100

Why is there a housing shortage in the UK?

Answer 100

Population growth - the population of England and Wales grew by 4m to 56.1m in the decade to 2011 Demand for second homes More people living alone - higher divorce rates, young people Greenbelt Economic difficulties

Question 101

What is segregation?

Answer 101

Where people of a particular ethnic group choose to live with others from the same ethnic group, separate from other groups.

Question 102

Housing ways of maintaining a sustainable city

Answer 102

New housing to be built on open space which is safer as less street parking Solar panels for more renewable energy Encouraged development of inner city Use of green belts to prevent urban sprawl

Question 103

What are the impacts of increased use of road transport on the environment?

Answer 103

More air pollution therefore more carbon emissions - CO2 contributes to global warming and associated sea level rise More road accidents Air pollution damages buildings More traffic jams and congestion