PAPER 2: Challenges in the human environment SECTION A: Urban Issues and Challenges 1

Distribution of population & the major cities in the UK North west: Less than 10 people per square km. Mountainous. Poorer weather. Less opportunities. South East: More than 10 people per square km. Flat. Better weather. More opportunities.

A case study of a major city in the UK to illustrate: LONDON : location & importance of the city South East Thames River (Port) Importance: Trade/ 30% GDP/ HQs/ Port/ Universities/ Hospitals

The ethnic composition of London’s population LONDON: impacts of national & international migration on the growth & character of the city The ethnic composition of London’s population White other 15% South Asian 12% Black 13% Mixed 5% Other 3% White UK 45% Brick Lane Mosque Multicultural Different Food/ Music

LONDON opportunities: social & economic: cultural mix, recreation & entertainment Shoreditch 30 years ago, Shoreditch was run-down, many old factories & warehouses. Now unrecognisable – old industrial buildings have been converted into flats & offices. Pubs & bars have been brought back into life as restaurants & art galleries. Jobs have been created in new creative industries, such as web design, film-making & art. Older and poorer residents have moved out & young professionals have moved in, pushing up house prices.

LONDON opportunities: employment, integrated transport systems Deindustrialisation – factories shut – loss of secondary jobs Now tertiary and quaternary jobs – well paid – Headquarters Highest paid jobs in country – people move from all over the world to get them Transport: Tube Buses Crossrail Shorter journey time and more capacity

LONDON Opportunity: urban greening Example = London’s Olympic Park Queen Elizabeth Park – 100 extra hectares of green space!

LONDON challenges: urban deprivation, inequalities in housing, education, health & employment Measure of deprivation Kensington & Chelsea Newham Male life expectancy 83.7 75.7 Female life expectancy 87.8 79.8 Unemployment 3.9% 9.4% Pupils achieving 5+ good GCSEs 80% 62% Households joint income <£15000 9% 26% Households joint income >£60000 7% Social deprivation can include mental illness, poverty, poor education and low socio-economic status.

Greenfield site – a plot of land not yet built on. LONDON challenges: environmental: dereliction, building on brownfield & greenfield sites Brownfield site – land that has been used, abandoned and now awaits some new use/ inner city. Greenfield site – a plot of land not yet built on. Brownfield sites Greenfield sites Old Factories Not waste greenfield Public transport is better in urban areas, so less need for cars. Old buildings may need to be demolished first. Ground may need to be decontaminated. New development can improve the urban environment. Land is more expensive in urban areas. Public transport is worse in rural areas, so more need for cars. Increases urban sprawl. Once land is built on, it is unlikely to be turned back to countryside. Land is cheaper in rural areas. No demolition or decontamination is needed. Valuable farmland or land for recreation may be lost. Natural habitats may be destroyed.

Green belts established 1947 to prevent further urban sprawl. LONDON challenges: the impact of urban sprawl on the rural-urban fringe, & the growth of commuter settlements Green belts established 1947 to prevent further urban sprawl. Urban developments now growing onto green spaces Greenbelts and habitats under threat Green belt—green open space or land around cities on which there are strict planning controls.

LONDON urban regeneration: Olympic Park The improvement of old buildings and the addition of amenities in an attempt to bring new life into an area. Social: Athletes village turned into apartments and affordable homes Economic: West Ham buy stadium so no money lost/ extra jobs created in media centre/ high paid jobs Env: Grey Water System/ Queen Elizabeth Park Green Space

Features of sustainable urban living: waste recycling Waste is recycled. Energy efficient technology. Waste burned to create energy. Combined Heat and power plant. Water recycling. (Grey water)

How urban transport strategies are used to reduce traffic congestion Boris Bikes Congestion Charge - £12 a day Cross Rail/ Underground/ Overground