Urban Change in the UK Flashcards
All 31 cards in this deck
Describe the distribution of population in the UK.
Population is densest in lowland England, especially the south-east around London, and in conurbations such as the West Midlands, north-west England and central Scotland; it is sparsest in upland areas such as the Scottish Highlands and mid Wales.
Where in the UK are most of the major cities found?
Mostly in England, concentrated in the south-east, the Midlands and the old industrial north, with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast the main cities elsewhere.
Why is population density low in upland parts of the UK?
Steep relief, poor soils and a harsh wet climate make farming, building and transport difficult, so few people settle there.
Give one impact of international migration on the growth of a UK city.
Migration increases the population, so the city grows in size.
Give one impact of international migration on the character of a UK city.
Migrants cluster together for support, creating areas with their own shops, places of worship, building styles and language, e.g. Chinatown in London.
What is national migration (internal migration)?
The movement of people from one part of the UK to another, e.g. young people moving to a city for work or study.
What is 'cultural mix' as a social opportunity of urban change?
People of many ethnic backgrounds living in the city, bringing varied food, festivals, music and places of worship.
Give one economic opportunity created by urban change in a UK city.
New jobs in business parks, hi-tech, creative, finance or service industries.
What is an integrated transport system?
When different forms of transport (bus, train, tram, cycle) are linked together with shared timetables and ticketing so journeys across the city are easier.
What is urban greening?
Increasing and improving green space in a city, such as parks, tree planting and green roofs.
Give two opportunities created by urban greening in UK cities.
More space for recreation and walking, and more planting which increases biodiversity.
What is urban deprivation?
When people in part of a city have a standard of living well below average, with poor housing, low incomes, poor health and high unemployment.
Give one example of inequality in health within a UK city.
Life expectancy is several years lower in deprived inner-city areas than in wealthier suburbs of the same city.
What is dereliction, and give one problem it causes?
Land and buildings left empty and in poor condition; they attract vermin or crime and look unattractive, discouraging businesses.
Why is waste disposal a growing challenge in UK cities?
Populations, households and industry are growing, so more waste is produced, while landfill space is limited and disposal is expensive.
What is a brownfield site, and give one drawback of building on it?
Land that has been built on before and is now disused; it often needs expensive clearing and decontamination first.
True or false? Building on greenfield sites is usually cheaper than building on brownfield sites.
True. Greenfield land needs no clearing or decontamination, but building on it destroys green space and countryside.
What is urban sprawl?
The unplanned spread of a city's built-up area outwards onto the surrounding countryside.
What is the rural–urban fringe?
The zone at the edge of a city where urban land uses meet the countryside.
What is a commuter (dormitory) settlement?
A village or town where most working residents travel out each day to work in a nearby city.
Give two ways urban sprawl damages the environment.
Loss of countryside, farmland and habitats (reducing biodiversity), and increased flood risk as impermeable surfaces replace vegetation.
True or false? The growth of commuter settlements only brings negative impacts to villages at the rural–urban fringe.
False. It also brings more housing supply, better transport links and improved social facilities such as pubs and leisure centres.
What is urban regeneration?
Improving a run-down part of a city by investing in its buildings, environment, economy and community.
Give two reasons an urban area might need regeneration.
Closed industry with abandoned, derelict warehouses, and a run-down, unsafe appearance with poor street lighting.
Give two main features typical of an urban regeneration project.
Mixed-use developments with affordable housing, and transport upgrades plus walking and cycling routes to improve access.
How can brownfield development help regenerate an urban area?
It brings people back to live and work in the area in multi-use developments, with environmental improvements and urban greening.
True or false? Green belt land around a UK city is protected from most new building.
True. Green belt is protected to limit urban sprawl, which is why there is pressure to build on it as cities grow.
What map evidence on an OS map suggests an area is a city centre?
A dense street pattern with many roads and railways meeting, and symbols for services such as a station, cathedral or museum.
Give two negative impacts of the growth of commuter settlements on villages near a city.
Any two: rising house prices push out local young people who cannot afford to stay; more cars bring rush-hour congestion, parking problems and air pollution; large new housing estates change the village's character and cover nearby green fields.
Why did many large UK cities grow up on or near coalfields?
During the Industrial Revolution coal powered factories, so industry located near the coal and people moved there for work, creating large industrial cities.
Give one reason many major UK cities are on the coast or an estuary.
Sheltered coastal and estuary sites made good ports for trade and shipping, which attracted industry and people.