Human Geography - Contemporary urban environments Flashcards

Question

Social factors Influencing Land use patterns?

Answer 1

Population Growth, Social Segregation, Ethnicity & Culture, Access to services

Answer 2

Physical Geography, Pollution Levels, Risk of Natural hazards, Climate, Green Space

Answer 3

Urban planning & zoning laws, housing policy, Investment priorities, transport policy, political stability

Answer 4

Separation of groups by income, ethnicity, or class, leading to unequal access to resources.

Answer 5

Presence of multiple cultural or ethnic groups living in the same area.

Answer 6

Social segregation divides people spatially, often by income or ethnicity, creating unequal neighborhoods. However, Cultural diversity reflects a mix of cultures living side by side, especially in urban areas with high migration.

Answer 7

An urban area combining residential, commercial, leisure, and cultural uses in one compact space ( a city centre) Key features : Housing, shops, cafes.

Answer 8

Revitalise town centres, reduce urban sprawl, support sustainability, and boost local economy.

Answer 9

Urban areas focused on cultural or historical attractions, used to regenerate city centres and attract visitors.

Answer 10

To promote tourism, preserve local identity, boost the creative economy, and drive urban regeneration.

Answer 11

Urban areas with high levels of security and restricted access, designed to protect property and residents from crime.

Answer 12

To reduce crime, increase safety, and attract wealthier residents. Although, it increase social segregation and create "them vs us" urban spaces.

Answer 13

A process where wealthier people move into run-down urban areas, improving housing and services, but often displacing lower-income residents.

Answer 14

Social Issues: 40% live in slums (e.g., Ejipura), Poor infrastructure (water, power, transport), High air and water pollution. Economic Issues: Big inequality gap (tech workers vs slum residents), Infrastructure can't keep up with tech sector

Answer 15

Social Issues: Average house price £500k+, Social inequality (e.g., Kensington vs Newham), Pressure on NHS and schools. Economic Issues: High cost of living, Pockets of unemployment, Brexit caused job uncertainty in finance.

Answer 16

A large urban area located on the outskirts of a major city, with its own offices, shops, and leisure facilities — functioning independently from the city centre.

Answer 17

Cities in Western countries that have evolved since the late 20th century, moving away from industrial and modernist designs towards diversity and mixed uses.

Answer 18

Las Vegas : Leisure and Consumption, Car-dependent and Sprawling, Urban Inequality. Los Angeles : Car-dependant Design, gentrification, cultural diversity(little Armenia & Thai town).

Answer 19

- Overcrowding and poor housing - Slum upgrading and affordable housing - High unemployment rate - Job creation and skills training - Residential segregation and social inequality - Community development and social inclusion programs

Answer 20

- Poor infrastructure limiting business growth - Improving transport and infrastructure - Economic inequality between rich and poor areas - supporting small businesses - Decline of traditional industries causing job losses - Regeneration projects to attract new services

Answer 21

Higher precipitation frequency over urban areas, especially in summer. More intense short-term rainfall, increasing the risk of flash flooding. Rainfall often downwind of cities due to airflow carrying warm, moist air.

Answer 22

The Urban Heat Island effect is when urban areas are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas, especially at night.

Answer 23

- Concrete/asphalt absorb & retain heat - Less vegetation = less evapotranspiration - Waste heat from buildings/traffic - Dense buildings reduce airflow

Answer 24

🔹 Impacts : Higher energy use (AC) / Health risks (heat stress) / Poor air quality 🔹 Management : Green roofs or walls / Reflective surfaces / Better city design for ventilation

Answer 25

Wind speed : Decreases overall in city centres due to buildings acting as barries and tall, dense buildings slow wind down near the ground. Wind Direction : Urban canyons (narrow streets between tall buildings) funnel wind, increasing speed in those corridors. Wind Frequency : Less frequent natural wind patterns at street level due to turbulence and disruption from buildings.

Answer 26

Tiny atmospheric particles on which water vapor condenses to form cloud droplets, affecting cloud brightness and precipitation.

Answer 27

-Particulate Pollution (Smoke from cars and factories) : Dense traffic and narrow streets trap particles with poor ventilation leading to respitory illness and heart disease. -Photochemical Pollution (Sunlight and pollutants): High traffic emissions create more triggers and smog causing problems with vision and breathing.

Answer 28

- Increased Condensation Nuclei : Urban pollution adds more dust and particulates to the air. - Heat retention : At night, urban areas cool more slowly. - Trapped Moisture : Tall dense buildings

Answer 29

Urban Heat Island effect creates warm air which rises quickly and cools, leading to condensation intensifying cloud development and rainfall. The rising air meets cooler upper air layers triggering thunderstorms.

Answer 30

London – Ultra Low Emission Zone : Restrictions on some vehicles helped Nitrogen Dioxide levels go down by 50% in central areas. Freiburg - Sustainable Transport extensive cycle paths, car restrictions which created one of Germany’s lowest urban pollution levels and High cycling use.

Answer 31

- Environmental : Over 400 km of cycle paths; 30% of trips made by bike and some districts run on 100% renewable energy - Social : 40% of the city is forested or green space giving people 2,600 hectares to socialise - 10,000+ people employed in environmental businesses

Answer 32

- Lower groundwater storage as infiltration is limited. - Reduced soil moisture from vegetation loss and sealed surfaces. - Less interception because of fewer trees and green spaces.

Answer 33

- Increased surface runoff due to impermeable surfaces (roads, pavements). - Faster transfer of water through drains and sewers, reducing lag time. - More frequent flash floods.

Answer 34

Lag Time : Time between peak rainfall and peak discharge. Peak Discharge : The highest flow rate of the river following rainfall. Rising Limb : The curve showing the increase in river discharge after rain. Falling Limb : The curve showing the decrease in discharge after the peak. Base Flow : The normal day-to-day flow of the river, mainly from groundwater. Storm Flow : The increased flow resulting directly from rainfall.

Answer 35

The process of managing an area of land that drains into a river, lake, or reservoir to ensure the sustainable use of water resources and protect water quality.

Answer 36

- Impermeable surfaces and limited storage = higher peak flows and flooding. - Urban runoff carries pollutants (oil, heavy metals, litter) into rivers. - Aging or inadequate drainage systems can fail during heavy rain.

Answer 37

SuDS are natural and sustainable approaches to managing surface water runoff in urban areas. Used to reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity.

Answer 38

Quite successful as : - Environmental : Decreased pollutants in the water and reduced surface run off, species increased from 30 to 34. - Economic : Cut construction and maintenance costs by 10% - Social : Saved residents around £30 a year on water bills.

Answer 39

The process of returning a river and its environment to a natural state after it has been altered (e.g. straightened, culverted, or polluted).

Answer 40

The Protecting and managing rivers and their ecosystems to preserve their environmental quality and biodiversity.

Answer 41

Environmental - Fish species ↑ from 4 → 25, Bird species ↑ from 6 → 36 Economic - Property values up to 50% within 500m Social - Promote public transport & pedestrian use / 60,000+ pedestrians use daily

Answer 42

Improve the urban environment, Boost economic activity, Enhance quality of life

Answer 43

Residential Waste, Commercial Waste, Institutional Waste, Construction & Demolition Waste

Answer 44

Air Pollution: Toxic fumes from burning plastics/e-waste Water Pollution: Chemicals leach into rivers and groundwater Biodiversity Loss and Health Risks: Pollution harms ecosystems and waste workers

Answer 45

Positives : Reduces landfill use / Reuses raw materials (e.g. metals, plastics) / Lowers greenhouse gas emissions Negatives : Energy use in recycling (e.g. sorting, processing can be carbon-intensive) and Contamination

Answer 46

Positive : Destroys hazardous waste (e.g. medical or chemical), Generates energy Negative : Contributes to climate change if fossil-based waste is burned (e.g. plastics) and Air pollution.

Answer 47

Rainwater mixes with waste, forming leachate (toxic liquid) which can contaminate ground water, Loss of natural land and habitats, Odours and release of gases like CO₂.

Answer 48

Marine pollution (plastics, toxins), Harm to ecosystems and coral reefs, Bioaccumulation of toxins in food chains, Long-term environmental damage.

Answer 49

Incineration : Over 60% of municipal solid waste is incinerated and Facilities like Afval Energie Bedrijf provide energy to heat around 100,000 homes annually. Waste disposal : Landfill accounts for less than 1% of waste disposal and The Netherlands plans to eliminate landfill use by 2030.

Answer 50

Major problem in many cities worldwide due to motor vehicles and industry which causes health problems (e.g. asthma, heart disease) It is managed by promoting public transport and clean air zones in main city centres.

Answer 51

Contamination by sewage, industrial waste, and runoff and Impacts drinking water, water bodies and health. Its management includes sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) and River restoration projects (e.g., Cheonggyecheon in Seoul).

Answer 52

Abandoned or rundown urban areas cause visual pollution, attract crime, reduce property values. Management includes Urban regeneration and redevelopment schemes (e.g., London Docklands)

Answer 53

Local : Air pollution, Water pollution, Heat island effect. Global : Greenhouse gas emissions 70% of CO₂ emissions from cities, Exported waste.

Answer 54

Designed to minimise environmental impact while supporting social and economic needs and aim for long-term balance between people, planet, and prosperity.

Answer 55

-Efficient public transport & low car use -Renewable energy use and increased green spaces -Water conservation through SUDS - E.g. Freiburg, Germany

Human Geography - Contemporary urban environments Flashcards

(79 cards)