Topic 1 : Geography in everyday life (copy)

Relationship between people and nature

Local communities and nearby nature areas are dependent upon and mutually affect each other.

Benefits of nature

Nature areas lower air temperatures, remove pollutants, and provide recreational space, while community activities promote environmental protection.

Disadvantages to people and nature

Wildlife may harm people, and environmental protection can limit development; visitors can cause soil erosion and disturb wildlife.

Sense of place

People associate importance, meanings, and memories with specific locations in their neighbourhoods through experiences and interactions.

Acquiring a sense of place

Individuals encounter familiar paths and experience significant events at local landmarks.

Representing a sense of place

Different media are used to express and can enhance or contradict individuals' sense of place.

Regions

Areas with similar characteristics or known for specific features, influencing other locations.

Spatial patterns

Non-random arrangement of services, events, and objects in recognisable shapes and intervals.

Spatial associations

Tendency for services, events, and objects to locate near each other, suggesting connections.

Spatial scales in Singapore

More than 20 towns cater to different lifestyles, each with a town centre as a hub.

Spatial hierarchies in Singapore

Nested areas from residential units to precincts, forming neighbourhoods and towns.

Town planning in Singapore

Aims to serve residents and nature at precinct, neighbourhood, and town levels, creating connections.

Sustainable development

Meeting present needs while ensuring future generations can meet theirs.

Economic sustainability

High population density supports local businesses and keeps infrastructure costs low.

Social sustainability

Small population size enables regular interaction among residents for decision-making.

Environmental sustainability

Protects nature and supports waste minimisation and energy-efficient designs.

Urban neighbourhoods as ecosystems

Living communities interact with the non-living environment, including aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Provisioning services

Fresh water and food available in neighbourhoods.

Regulating services

Include microclimate regulation, flood mitigation, and air and water quality.

Cultural services

Aesthetics, education, and recreation found in neighbourhoods.

Supporting services

Soil formation, pollination, and photosynthesis in urban ecosystems.

Fire hazards

Commonly caused by faulty appliances and unattended cooking, leading to injuries and property damage.

Air pollution hazards

Caused by burning vegetation and emissions, resulting in health issues.

Traffic hazards

Caused by speeding and drunk driving, leading to serious injuries and fatalities.

Environmental stewardship

Promotes volunteerism and partnerships for healthy ecosystems.

Disaster risk management

Reduces exposure to hazards and improves preparedness.

Community resilience

Strengthens relationships and equips residents to adapt and recover from disasters.

Research questions

Identify a topic and craft a measurable hypothesis about two variables.

Data collection sequence

Collect quantitative data first, then qualitative, or vice versa.

Limitations and risks

Adjust research parameters based on resources and avoid harm.

Sampling methods

Non-probability (convenience, quota) and probability (random, stratified) sampling.

Closed-ended surveys

Pre-defined responses limited to short phrases or numbers, using rating scales.

Mental maps

Visual representations of experiences with features and labels added to a base map.

Data interpretation

Use frequency measures and central tendency measures for closed-ended surveys.

Mental map analysis

Assess representation of reality and how experiences are described.

Patterns and relationships

Visualise correlations and identify geometric shapes and clusters.

Maps

Represent spatial information with dots, lines, and polygons, including essential map elements.

Graphs

Use bar graphs and pie charts for distributions, and line graphs for trends.

Photographs and texts

Use satellite images for spatial information and colour-coded quotes for qualitative analysis.