Geography: The UK's Evolving Human Landscape & Dynamic UK Cities

Last Edited 12/5/2026

What are the 2 UK & EU policies to reduce economic differences in urban and rural areas? (Urban & Rural UK)

1. 2022 “UK Shared Prosperity Fund” [UKSPF] launched - plans to invest £2.6 billion to overcome geographical inequalities

2. Enterprise Zones - tax cuts, superfast broadband, blue prints to attract buisnesses

What are some differences from the 1960’s/2010’s to now in international immigration in the UK? (The UK & Migration)

• Early 1960’s: 3% UK residents born abroad VS Early 2020’s: 18% UK residents born abroad

• Mid 2010’s: Net immigration ~300,000 VS Early 2020’s: Net immigration almost ~800,000

What is the Clark Fisher Model? (Economic Changes)

A graph which compares percentage of industry sectors over time

What is meant by “Globalisation”? (Globalisation & Investment)

The process by which trade & investment build more connections between countries

What is an FDI? (Globalisation & Investment)

Foreign Direct Investment: When people invest in other nations’ countries to gain power over how they are run

What are TNCs? (Globalisation & Investment)

Transnational Corporations: businesses in one country that have control over enterprises in another

What are 3 reasons FDI in the UK increased? (Globalisation & Investment)

• London is a financial centre and globalisation is strong in finance because money can be moved electronically, globally

• Trade deals with developed/emerging countries make imports/exports cheaper + easier & create UK jobs

• EU encourages free trade between member states & provides beneficial trade deals for the whole EU with other countries

Since leaving the EU the value of FDI has dropped - this was further made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic

What are 2 advantages of TNCs? (Globalisation & Investment)

1. Investment: Foreign companies have invested £1 trillion in the UK creating thousands of jobs

2. Innovation: Foreign companies bring new technologies

What are 2 disadvantages of TNC’s? (Globalisation & Investment)

1. Security: Economic problems abroad can mean production gets shut down in UK - job losses

2. Competition: TNCs can outcompete UK companies due to their massive economies of scale

What makes the City of London so important? (London Over Time)

• Close to Europe for ease of trade

• During the industrial revolution, London had a big population, economy & port so it was unrivalled

• London’s timezone - people can trade with most large cities in the same day

• London has a wide cultural diversity - has attracted people seeking religious freedom historically

• One of the world’s 2 major cities and remained relevant due to its connectivity:

- 2^nd largest international airport (Heathrow)

- Eurostar - allows travel by train in a few hours

- Fast UK rail services (linked to other major UK cities)

- Most major Great British roads and motorways link to London

What are the 2 main land-use models - and what do they look like? (London Over Time)

Burgess: simple ; shows outward growth in rings

Hoyt: sector based (accounts for the cities site) ; shows how industries develop along communication/trade routes

What are the segments in the land-use models? (London Over Time)

Central Business District (CBD)

Factories/Industry

Low class residential

Medium class residential

High class residential / commuter zone

What is meant by “"decentralisation”? (London Over Time)

People spending money in the suburbs rather than in London

What is meant by “Suburbanisation”? (London Over Time)

People in the inner suburbs migrating to outer suburbs

London lost 1.5 mil in 30 years

What is meant by “Gentrification”? (London Over Time)

High-income workers’ desire to live closer to their workplace so more richer people occupy the areas causing the area to become more appealing (nicer services & facilities)

What is meant by “studentification”? (London Over Time)

University growth attracting more students into the city - causes certain areas to have more students

What is meant by “regeneration” and “rebranding”? (London Over Time)

Regeneration: Reversing a decline in the appeal of an area

Rebranding: The way a place is re-developed & marketed to reshape its identity

What are some facts about Richmond Upon Thames? (London Over Time)

• Least diverse borough 85% white

• High income £40,000 avg income

• 70% own their own houses

What are some facts about Newham? (London Over Time)

• One of the most diverse boroughs 30% white

• Low income

• Mostly rented 67% rent

• Asian dominated culture