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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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)

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