MEDC’s: Problems And Solutions IB SL

Stages In Urbanisation Urbanisation is almost at an end in MEDC’s. The proportion of urban dwellers is beginning to fall. For many MEDC’s there seems to be a cycle of urbanisation, suburbanisation, counter-urbanisation, and re-urbanisation.

Problems Inequality. Inequalities exist in all cities in the developed world. The most deprived groups can often be found in old inner city areas. High levels of unemployment and a lack of employment opportunities. Poor household amenities. Large areas of derelict land. Air, water and land pollution. High social problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse and crime. Greater frequency of health problems.

However The previous points paint a very depressing picture of the inner cities. This is not always the case. The inner cities of many British cities are improving rapidly and people are once again choosing to live in them. This is, in part as a consequence of gentrification and urban regeneration.

Traffic Congestion The cities of the UK are often choked with the pollution from cars. There is a well-known statistic about the average speed of a car in London being slower than the old horse and cart. A lot of cities were built before the invention of the car.

Death Of The CBD The CBD of many major cities is in trouble. Increasingly more of the functions associated with the CBD can be found on the outskirts of town. In Bristol, for example, there are now four cinema multiplexes outside the city. Whilst these are thriving, those cinemas left in the city are either closing or face a great struggle for survival. Many UK towns no longer have a cinema. The opening of 'The Mall' (a large shopping and entertainment complex outside Bristol) meant that John Lewis closed its city department store and relocated. This has meant that a lot of shoppers no longer come into the city centre. Since 'The Mall' opened, shops and entertainment in the CBD have had a constant struggle for survival.

Solutions There have been a number of policies and initiatives that have had the overall objective of regenerating urban areas. In the past twenty years, these have changed frequently, but have included Urban Development Corporations and more recently, schemes where councils have to bid for various sources of money. One of those sources is lottery money.

Activity Using p. 42 and 43, answer the following… Why is deprivation a feature of wealthy cities? Describe the quality of life in Sheffield using the map. Create a fact file on the improvements to East London. Suggest contrasting reasons for ways these estates could be impoved.