gcse geography urban sprawl case study St Ives in Cambridgeshire

urban sprawl

the expansion of an urban area into the countryside

St Ives population 1961 and 2011

1961: 3,800

2011: 16,384

what percentage of St Ives’ working population commute to London daily?

25% - good road and rail links

St Ives location

in Cambridgeshire, around 70 miles north of London. It is on the river Great Ouse

positive impact of urban sprawl in St Ives

In the town, there are now more shops and services. As well as the typical grocery stores, there are now a wider range of shops selling antiques and clothes, along with cafes and restaurants

negative impacts of urban sprawl

* urban sprawl has caused traffic congestion, which is at its worst during rush hour on the A14. This caused environmental impacts such as air pollution and noise pollution
* (average) prices of a detached house have risen - often, commuters earn higher wages than people who work locally, so can afford higher-priced housing. Because of this, local people may find it difficult to get on to the housing ladder
* St Ives has a history of flooding due to it being on the Great Ouse river. Due to the higher demand for housing, new developments were built on the south river bank in the town centre and on the flood plain. This means more residents are at risk of flooding - 1,000 properties in St Ives are at risk of flooding from a 1 in 100 year event.
* The population of St Ives has changed due to families moving there. Originally, the population was aging, however the influx of younger people means that now there are more people under 16 than over 65. This puts pressure of schools as more pre-school and primary school places are needed in the town

change in (average) price of a detached house in St Ives

2000: £130,000

2010: £291,000

2016: £359,558