Urban Environments_class 9.pdf

Chapter 6 Urban Environments

Done By

Swathika Pourna Devi 1|Page

Poornima

Urban Environments What is Urbanisation?  The growth of towns and cities which leads to an increase in the proportion of people living in the urban settlements.

How do urban settlements differ from rural ones?  Urban economy – manufacturing and services Rural economy- agriculture  Urban settlements are larger in size and demography (population)  The way of life differs

Urbanisation in LICs and HICs  The rate of urbanization in the LIC cities is much greater than that of the HIC cities.  This graph shows us how exactly population changes take place in LIC and HIC cities. For ex. There has been a great increase in urbanization in Asia and Pacific when compared with HICs like Europe.  WHY IS THIS SO?  continued below

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  PUSH FACTORS FROM COUNTRYSIDE (RURAL AREAS)  

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No jobs or poorly paid jobs Mechanisation. Machines taking the jobs of people Low prices for agricultural products Poor schools and hospitals Shortage of entertainment Poor quality of housing Drought and famine Shortages of water, electricity and gas Poor transport and

PULL FACTORS TO CITIES (URBAN AREAS)  

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More jobs Better education and medical care Better transport and communications More reliable supply of water, electricity and gas. Better entertainment More houses and better quality houses

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communications  New economic developments are concentrated in big cities  Natural increase in population in the cities due to the increase in birth rate Urbanisation is caused by rural-urban migration  Rural-urban migration is the movement of people from the countryside to the cities.  This causes urbanization in richer and poorer countries. Why is the rate of urbanization much slower in HICs?  A simple reason is that a large proportion of the population is already living in towns and cities.  The built up areas of towns and cities continue to grow. Because of modern transport the urban way of life is gradually spreading into rural areas. THIS IS CALLED RURAL DILUTION. Santiago, Chile Today the UK is a mostly urban society, with 90% of the population living in towns or cities. On a global scale, urbanisation is taking place rapidly, particularly in LEDCs Although the UK is an urban society, more and more people are choosing to live on the edge of 4|Page

urban areas with many relocating to the countryside. This is called counterurbanisation. .

COUNTER URBANISATION  Migration from urban to rural areas in MEDCs - East Anglia, GB Trends: since the 1980s there has been movement away from conurbations and larger cities, most of this movement has been to new towns, dormitory/ overspill towns and suburbanised villages Reasons: 

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employment: industry got relocated to the edge of the city sites or smaller rural towns. People move for promotion and for better paid jobs housing: when people become more affluent they move from the inner city to larger, modern houses with garages and gardens changing family status: people move as a result of an increase in family wealth or size environmental factors: moving away from the noise, air and visual pollution created by traffic in large 5|Page

urban areas to quieter, less polluted environments with more open space 

social factors: people may move out of cities due to vandalism, crime, racial prejudice, or poorer educational families

Thurston (East Anglia): 

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14kms from Bury St. Edmunds, and accessible by train from Bury, 10 minutes by car from Bury villagers commute to Bury for work population of 3000 modern new detached housing on housing estates traditional services are changing - the old granary has been converted into small businesses only one remaining post office

Urbanisation Processes I will discuss this according to the Urban Process Timeline, so that it is orderly. The timeline is as follows: 1. Agglomeration 2. Suburbanisation 3. Commuting 4. Urban regeneration 5. Counter-urbanisation 6. Urban re-imaging 7. Urbanisation of suburbs 6|Page

Urbanisation: Process of change that converts rural areas, regions and countries into urban ones. It is also the growth of towns and cities which leads to an increasing percentage of a country's population living in urban settlements. 1. Agglomeration: This is how urban settlements first appear. It is the concentration of people and economic activities at favourable locations. E.g. at river crossing points so there is a supply of water, near a mineral resource such as coal, iron or oil. Long ago, defence was important so people were able to protect themselves. E.g. hilltops made good defensive sites, there were good views but it was hard to reach, and would not be sheltered from strong winds. Ex. Jamshedpur and even our own Madras 2. Suburbanisation: Definition: The outward spread of the

urban area, often at lower densities compared with the older parts of a town or city. 

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As towns grow, they expand outwards through suburbanisation. Adds to built-up area, but building densities lower than in older parts of town.

3. Commuting: People start to move out of the town/city to live in smaller more rural areas. These are often called 7|Page

dormitory settlements because many new residents only sleep there. They commute to work and still make use of urban service like shops and hospitals. Commuting definition: Travel

some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis.

4. Urban regeneration: involves re-using areas in old parts of the city where businesses and people have moved out into the suburbs or beyond. (Expanded upon in another post 'Urban regeneration and re-imaging) 5. Counter-urbanisation: the movement of people and businesses (employment) from major cities to smaller towns/cities and rural areas. 6. Urban re-imaging: changing the image and look of an area to attract people. (Expanded upon in another post 'Urban regeneration and re-imaging) 7. Urbanisation of suburbs: suburbs are generally areas of low-density development, so instead of using rural areas governments want to use suburban areas--suburban areas become more dense, raised to an urban level--. Empty spaces are being developed and large detached houses are replaced by flats. The suburbs are no longer just residential areas anymore, shops and other services start to locate there too.

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Reasons for the growth of Megacities:   

ECONOMIC DEVOLOPMENT-as the economic growth increases more people are employed in new tertiary and quatenary jobs. POPULATION GROWTH-large volume of rural urban migration results in urban population growth ECONOMIES OF SALE-financial savings in terms of transport as communication between the peole and business is eaiesr

 MULTIPLIER EFFECT

EXTRA What is a primate city? A primate city is one that has much more than twice the population of the next biggest city. An example is Lima (Peru) that is more than ten times larger than the next settlement or Mexico City in Mexico. The presence of a primate city in a country may indicate an imbalance in 9|Page

development — usually a progressive core, and a lagging periphery, on which the primate city depends for labour and other resources. What this means is that while the primate city can develop, the rest of the country has a hard time keeping up, because all the jobs and investment and services are concentrated there

Bangkok - the primate city for Thailand

Problems of urbanisation in the CBD - traffic congestion

Traffic jam on the M6 motorway As more people move to the edge of towns and cities, traffic congestion may get worse. Many people will drive their cars into the city centre to get to work. It is compounded by people being brought into city on large roads or motorways. These roads then link up with smaller, older, narrower roads in the city centre. This causes a bottleneck and congestion. Some cities have tried to manage this problem by introducing traffic management schemes. These schemes may include: 

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cycle lanes congestion charging schemes, such as those in Durham and London car-pooling, as used in the USA, to encourage people to share cars Low Emission Zones, as in London

Local councils have also tried to make the roads in urban areas safer by introducing traffic calming, pedestrian zones, vehicle-exclusion zones and permit-only parking schemes. Reducing congestion in cities

The introduction of Park and Ride schemes. People park in car parks on the edge of a settlement and catch regular buses into the centre. Park and Ride scheme operating in Plymouth

Pedestrianised areas are designated as 'pedestrian only' zones.

Pedestrian shopping streets, Liverpool

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Permit holder parking - certain parts of the city, particularly near the centre, are designated as permit parking only. This means that people must have a permit to park in that area. This reduces the number of people driving in to towns and Permit holder parking in Westminster

cities as parking opportunities are restricted.

Vehicle exclusion zones - certain types of vehicles are excluded from certain parts of a city, eg large vehicles may not be allowed to enter narrow roads or residential areas. Vehicle exclusion sign

Car pooling - people are encouraged to share cars. This has been used in a lot in the USA. Taxi cabs on a New York street

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Traffic calming - roads narrowing and speed bumps make traffic move slower around narrower streets. Narrow roads may restrict the type Speed bump in a residential area in London

of vehicle that can enter certain parts of the city.

The Burgess and Hoyt model Geographers have put together models of land use to show how a 'typical' city is laid out. One of the most famous of these is the Burgess or concentric zone model. This model is based on the idea that land values are highest in the centre of a town or city. This is because competition is high in the central parts of the settlement. This leads to high-rise, high-density buildings being found near the Central Business District (CBD), with low-density, sparse developments on the edge of the town or city.

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The Burgess model However, there are limits to the Burgess model: 

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The model is now quite old and was developed before the advent of mass car ownership. New working and housing trends have emerged since the model was developed. Many people now choose to live and work outside the city on the urban fringe - a phenomenon that is not reflected in the Burgess model. Every city is different. There is no such thing as a typical city.

Another urban model is the Hoyt model. This is based on the circles on the Burgess model, but adds sectors of similar land uses concentrated in parts of the city. Notice how some zones, eg the factories/industry zone, radiate out from the

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CBD. This is probably following the line of a main road or a railway.

The Hoyt model Central business district (CBD) The land in urban areas is used for many different purposes: 

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leisure and recreation - may include open land, eg parks or built facilities such as sports centres residential - the building of houses and flats transport - road and rail networks, stations and airports business and commerce - the building of offices, shops and banks industry - factories, warehouses and small production centres

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The CBD in the city centre is where most business and commerce is located. Features that identify the CBD

Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham      

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High/multi-storey buildings. Expensive land values. Department stores or specialist shops, like jewellers. Shopping malls and pedestrian precincts. Cultural/historical buildings, museums and castles. Offices, finance, banks, administration, town hall (business sector). Bus and railway stations (transport centres). Multi-storey car parks.

The CBD is located in the centre because it is:   

a central location for road/railways to converge the most accessible location for workers accessible to most people for shops and businesses

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To help you remember how to identify a CBD, think of a city you know. In your exam give named examples for the features listed above. The inner city

Terraced houses in Brighton, East Sussex The inner city is also known as the twilight zone. It is typically found next to the CBD and has mainly terraced houses in a grid like pattern. These were originally built to house factory workers who worked in the inner city factories. Many of these factories have now closed down. Unemployment and other socioeconomic problems have led to periods of unrest in many inner city areas, eg Toxteth in Liverpool. Many inner city areas declined in the late 20th century and have undergone a period of regeneration in recent years, for example Watford Arches Retail Park, which is located on a former industrial site. Run down terraced housing is often bought by investors and improved to appeal to young professionals who need access to the CBD. This is called gentrification. 17 | P a g e

The suburbs

Semi-detached house in Standish, Lancashire Suburban houses are usually larger than inner city terraces and most have a garden. Typically, they are detached or semi detached and the roads around them are arranged in cul de sacs and wide avenues. Land prices are generally cheaper than in the CBD and inner city, although the desirability of housing can make some areas expensive. Many suburbs were built in the UK in the 1930s and have a distinctive style of housing, as shown in the picture to the right. More modern housing estates were built in the late 20th century as towns and cities have continued to grow. Facilities such as schools, places of worship and parks are often present, and many are served by a local supermarket. Suburban areas are often home to commuters who need access to the CBD along main roads and railways, and they are also within easy reach of the countryside.

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The urban rural fringe

Allotments in Ripon, North Yorkshire This is found at the edge of a town or city and is where town meets country. It is common for this area to have a mixture of land uses such as some housing, golf courses, allotments, business parks and airports. The mixture of land use often causes conflict as different groups have different needs and interests. For example, building Terminal 5 at Heathrow on the outskirts of London was a source of controversy. The need for another runway continues to cause conflicts of interest.

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The Segregation of people in Cities People become segregated into groups based on their social class, type of occupation and ethnicity. People prefer to live close to those who are of similar status. Wealthier people are able to buy better bigger homes whilst poorer people must settle for houses which are cramped and substandard in the worst residential areas. A ghetto is an area where ethnic; minorities are concentrated and are the dominant population. Immigrants in the UK have settled in concentrated in parts of the inner areas of towns and cities.

Factors encouraging ethnic segregation

URBAN LAND USE IN ZOMBA There are traditional housing areas where people live in huts with grass roofs. There are also densely populated areas of oneroomed brick housing where perhaps fifty people share a tap. At the heart of Zomba is a commercial precinct with 19th and early 20th-century veranda-style shops and a Mosque surrounding the busy agricultural market complex.

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The land use model for Zomba may be simplified as follows: 1. The main recreational zone is found in the centre of the urban area. This was once the Gymkana Club, where the colonial rulers played polo. 2. The Central Business District contains the main businesses and market of the urban area. This is found close to the centre, the most accessible location where the main roads meet.

3. High status housing surrounds Zomba's CBD. The area surrounding Zomba's CBD dates from colonial times when it housed the colony's administrators and Governor. It consequently has the infrastructure - electricity, telephones, sewerage, water, etc. not found in other parts of the urban area. 4. Surrounding the high-quality residential area is medium quality housing which started out as low class housing. It has now been provided with some basic amenities.

The Urban Pattern of Zomba

5. Low class housing is found on the lower land to the south-east. This land is at risk from flooding, and contains the sewage works. 6. Factories are found along the main road leading to the airport and also in an estate close to the CBD.

Shanty Towns Some of the worst conditions are found in the shanty towns on the edge of the city, near the CBD or along main transport routes. They tend to be unplanned and are often illegal. Houses are self-built using basic materials and shanty towns have few services.

Problems in shanty towns        

Overcrowding - the settlement has a high population density. Fires - fires can spread quickly. Overpopulation - the area does not have enough resources to support the growing population. Competition for jobs - jobs are in short supply. Disease - poor sanitation and limited health care can lead to the spread of disease. Lack of space - the newest and poorest arrivals may be forced to live on the worst quality land. Infrastructure - services are poor, public transport is limited and connections to the electricity supply can be limited and sometimes dangerous. Crime rate- as resources are less people steal from others

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SAO PAULO’S FAVELAS The population of Sao Paulo metropolitan area has rapidly increased over the past 40 years. It has increased from 7 million in 1970 to 20 million today. The following has caused this population increase:

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High birth rate and lowering death rate Internal rural to urban migration mainly from the poor NE region of Brazil.

Pull factors of Sao Paulo 

50% of industry is clustered in & around Sao Paulo (Manufacturing includes vehicles, machinery, textiles & shoes).

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Also iron ore is found around Sao Paulo Booming construction industry Many businesses including coffee exports Improved roads & rail communication have encouraged migration

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JOBS

Due to the problems that arise in shanty towns many community groups to improve housing conditions,    

NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION-reduce crime and offer children a wide rande of activities. PROSANEAR-a partnership between the Brazilian govt. and the World Bank to deliver water and sanitation. SELF-HELP/SITE-AND-SERVICE SCHEMES-provides building materials which local people use to build better homes. MICROLENDING-lend small sums of money to people for developing their own business. As life improves in the favelas more people are encouraged to settle in.

How to curb the population increase in Shanty towns? 1. Improve the quality of rural life. 2. Reduce rural urban migration 3. Development of new edge cities

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CHANGES AT THE EDGES OF HIC CITIES One reason for urban growth and change in the rural-urban population is a feeling of dissatisfaction with the city. *Housing is old, congested and relatively expensieve *Environmental pollution levels are high *The cost of land is high The attractions in the urban fringe include: *Cheaper land and larger homes *More room for parking cars *Closeness to the main roads and motorways allow quicker access

Other than housing estates, there are other significant non-residential developments like the following. Retail Parks

In order to sell goods, shops need to be located where people can get to them easily. They need a large sphere of influence that guarantees a steady flow of customers and increasing profit. Building large shopping centres near good transport routes and motorway junctions can help. Shoppers frequently come in cars and out-of-town shopping centres or retail parks can offer large, free car parks, eg Cribbs Causeway near Bristol, Bluewater in Kent

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and the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Industrial Estates-These are light service industries with a planned layout and purpose-built roads.Eg-Heathfield industrial estate in England.

Business Parks-These are areas created by property developers in order to attract firms needind office accomodations, they also include leisure activites. Eg Ascendas

Science Parks-These are usually located close to a university or a research center with the aim of encouraging and developing quaternary activities.

Changes at the Edge of Southampton There have been 4 major developments:

City's economy prospered largely due to the port.

This attracted workers and their families.

Housing (Commuter Dormitories) was built on either side of the green belt.

Nursling Industrial Park-The main business on this estate located beside M271 are so-called service industries.

The Science Park provides highquality office and laboratory space in attractive surroundings.The University of Southamton is also close by.

Hedge End Retail Park-It is one of the largest retail parks and sells a wide range of goods.

Adnac Business Park-The park is earmarked for major developments and large space occupiers like the Ordnance Survey.

As a result of great pressure from developers green belt restrictions have been relaxed.

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Greenfield & brownfield sites

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Deprivation in HIC cities  Deprivation is said to occur when a person’s well being falls a level which is generally thought of an acceptable minimum.  This standard applies to a number of different aspects of daily life.  In UK, a multiple deprivation index has been developed to assess the level of deprivation across the whole country.  It is based on:

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Income Employment Health Education Access to housing and services Crime The living environment

POVERTY (low wages, unemployment)

LACK OF OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS

POOR EDUCATION

POOR ACCOMMODATION (lsums, overcrowded)

POOR HEALTH (stress, strain)

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This is the cycle of poverty. This is based on the idea that poverty and deprivation are passed on from one generation to the next. The most important challenges to societies around the world are how to make it possible for people to break out of this cycle of poverty.

Urban rebranding: Many inner city areas have the reputation of being depressing places in which change has usually meant decline and decay. While city authorities and businesses have been invested in the CBD in many of the HIC countries, much less has been spent in the inner city that wraps the CBD. Definitions will surely help you learn this: Learn them, to write the proper definitions with the technical terms in the

 Gentrification is the process by which wealthier people move into, renovate and final paper. restore rundown housing in the inner city or other neglected areas. Such housing was formally inhabited by low income groups with tenure shifting from private rented to owner occupied.  Urban regeneration is the investment of capital in the revival of old, urban areas by either improving what is there or cleaning it away and rebuilding.  Urban reimaging is changing the image of an urban area and the way people view it.  Urban managers are people who make important decisions affecting urban areas such as planners, politicians and developers

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