Geography-Growth of commuter settlements and impact of growth on rural/urban fringe

Urban sprawl

It is the growth of urban areas into surrounding rural areas. As the population grows, the demand for housing increases, causing the city to expand and sprawl out. However, this destroys the environment and natural habitats.

Commuter settlements

Areas in the rural-urban fringe where people live, but work elsewhere. Near London, this has caused house prices to rocket and worsen traffic congestion.

Dereliction and Brownfield sites

Industrial decline forces inner-city factories to close, leaving large areas polluted and derelict. Building on these sites is better for the environment, but it’s often costly to clear and decontaminate the land.

Waste disposal

Around 25% of London’s waste goes to landfill, and air pollution is high due to traffic congestion. Plans are in place to try and make London a zero-carbon city by 2050.