Urban Issues 6&9 markers

To what extent has urban growth created social opportunities? Nigeria

• Education – Urban growth has led to the expansion of schools and universities, increasing literacy rates. 

• Healthcare – More hospitals and clinics give people better access to medical care than in rural areas. 

• Employment – Urban jobs in both formal and informal sectors (Olusosun) help reduce poverty. 

• Public services – Electricity and clean water are more available in central Lagos than rural Nigeria. 

• However – Not all areas benefit equally eg. Makoko

• Judgement – Social opportunities have increased overall, but inequality remains significant. 

Explain how urban planning is improving quality of life for the urban poor. Nigeria

• Slum upgrading projects – In areas like Makoko, small-scale projects provide clean water and improve waste disposal. 

• Floating school initiative – Designed to offer education in flood-prone slum areas

• Transport planning – The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system provides affordable transport, helping people access work. 

• Government plans – Lagos State Development Plan includes long-term goals for housing and health. 

• Limitation – Funding, corruption, and high population growth slow progress. 

 

Suggest how urban sprawl and commuter settlements impact the rural-urban fringe.

• Urban housing developments replace agricultural land and natural habitats. 

• Increased traffic – causes congestion and air pollution in fringe areas. 

• Pressure on services – Schools, GP surgeries, and water supplies can become overstretched. 

• Change in landscape – Traditional rural villages may become suburbanised and lose their identity. 

• Some benefits – New infrastructure and investment (e.g., better roads) can improve local economy. 

Assess the importance of managing transport as part of urban sustainability.

• Boris bikes - encourage resiodents to travel by bike - less CO2 emissions

• Congestion Charge Zone – Discourages car use in central London, improving air quality and reducing congestion. 

• ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) – Reduces pollution from older vehicles, improving public health. 

• Benefits – better air quality, less pollution, better health

• Evaluation – Transport is crucial for sustainability, but high costs and unequal coverage limit its full impact. 

Explain how urban industrial areas can help encourage development. Nigeria

• Job creation – Industrial zones like Lekki Free Trade Zone create jobs in manufacturing and logistics. 

• FDI– Attracts global businesses, increasing Nigeria’s GDP. 

• Infrastructure growth – Roads, power, and ports are improved to support industry, benefiting other sectors. 

• Training and skills – Industrial areas require skilled workers, encouraging education and training programs. 

• Multiplier effect – Growth in industry supports other businesses. 

• Environmental downside – Risk of pollution and congestion if not managed properly. 

Suggest why managing traffic congestion and air pollution may be challenging. Nigeria

• Rapid urban growth – Lagos adds over 600,000 people per year, increasing pressure on roads. 

• Car dependency – Many rely on cars due to limited public transport, increasing congestion. 

• Informal transport – Minibuses are unregulated and polluting. 

• Poor infrastructure – Roads are narrow, potholed, and often flood, worsening traffic. 

• Weak enforcement – Lack of funding and corruption makes implementing traffic rules difficult. 

• Air quality – High vehicle emissions contribute to smog and health problems, especially in low-income areas. 

Q: Evaluate the statement: "Urban change in the UK has created more economic opportunities than social opportunities." Use London as a case study.

• Economic Opportunities:

  • Canary Wharf: created high-paid jobs in banking.

  • Stratford regeneration attracted new businesses and Westfield shopping centre.

  • London is Europe's tech hub — “Silicon Roundabout” in Shoreditch supports start-ups.

• Social Opportunities:

  • Newham saw education improvements — new academies and better GCSE results.

  • Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: sports and green space promote healthier lifestyles.

  • Better transport: Overground extensions, DLR upgrades.

• Challenges:

  • Gentrification in East London priced out original residents.

  • Social inequality still exists between boroughs (e.g., Newham vs. Richmond).

• ✅ Conclusion:

  • While both exist, economic opportunities have had wider and more lasting impacts — particularly in jobs and investment.

Q: To what extent has urban change created environmental challenges in London?

• Air Pollution:

  • Caused by traffic and diesel vehicles — contributes health issues

• Urban Sprawl:

  • Expansion into greenfield sites threatens habitats and increases flood risk.

• Waste:

  • Over 3.5 million tonnes of waste produced yearly — challenge for landfills and recycling.

• Water & Flood Risk:

  • More surface runoff due to impermeable surfaces — risk to Thames floodplain areas.

• Solutions in Place:

  • ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) reduces car pollution.

  • Green roofs in new developments.

• ✅ Conclusion:

  • Urban change has caused serious environmental problems, but policies like ULEZ and increased green infrastructure show efforts to tackle them.

Q: Assess the challenges created by urban change in London.

• Housing:

  • Shortage of affordable homes — average London house price is over £500,000.

  • Many people forced to rent or live in overcrowded housing.

• Inequality:

  • Life expectancy is over 10 years higher in Kensington than in Newham.

  • Child poverty and unemployment are higher in East London — crime rates

• Transport:

  • Over 1.3 billion journeys made yearly on the Tube — severe rush hour congestion.

• Environmental Pressures:

  • London frequently breaches legal air pollution limits (e.g., NO₂).

• ✅ Conclusion:

  • Housing and inequality are the most pressing challenges — made worse by the speed of change and population growth

Q: Suggest how a regeneration project can solve urban problems. Use Stratford, London.

• Background:

  • Stratford was one of the most deprived areas in London before 2012 Olympics.

• Solutions through Regeneration:

  • Housing: 2,800 new homes in the East Village (some affordable).

  • Jobs: Over 10,000 new permanent jobs created; Westfield Stratford is Europe’s largest urban shopping centre.

  • Transport: New Stratford International station and upgrades to Tube, Overground, and DLR.

  • Environment: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park provides 560 acres of green space.

• Ongoing Issues:

  • Some locals were displaced and priced out due to rising rents.

• ✅ Conclusion:

  • Regeneration helped tackle housing, employment, and environmental issues, though gentrification remains a concern.

Q: Assess the extent of the challenges created by urban growth in LICs/NEEs. Use Lagos, Nigeria.

• Housing Challenges:

  • Over 60% of Lagos's population lives in informal settlements like Makoko.

  • Makoko: houses built on stilts, no running water, sewage, or legal rights.

• Employment:

  • Many work in informal sector — no job security.

  • Youth unemployment remains high despite city growth.

• Infrastructure Problems:

  • Poor waste collection

  • Frequent power cuts; many rely on noisy, polluting generators.

• Transport Issues:

  • Major congestion; average commuter spends over 3 hours in traffic.

  • Buses and roads are overcrowded and poorly maintained.

• ✅ Conclusion:

  • Urban growth in Lagos has created serious housing, employment, and infrastructure challenges that the government struggles to keep up with.