Challenges to Urban Environments - Edexcel IGCSE Geography

These flashcards cover key concepts about urban challenges, land use, and socio-economic issues facing both developed and emerging cities as outlined in the Edexcel IGCSE Geography notes.

What is the central business district (CBD)?

The central core of a city, typically home to banks, retail, and commercial offices.

What factors influence urban land values?

Factors include the purpose of the land, proximity to key functions, and accessibility.

Define bid-rent theory.

A theory that describes how the price and demand for land change as the distance from the CBD increases.

What are the four features of urban development?

A central core, an inner-city ring, a suburban ring, and an urban fringe.

What characterizes the inner-city ring of a city?

It contains older terraced housing and older industrial areas focused around transport links.

What happens to land value as one moves away from the CBD?

Land value usually decreases from the center outwards.

What type of housing is typically found in urban fringes?

Semi- and detached housing with gardens and tree-lined avenues.

What challenges do developed cities face regarding social services?

Challenges include housing shortages, poverty, aging populations, and ethnic segregation.

What economic challenges do developed cities encounter?

Challenges include globalization, food supply issues, transport problems, and deindustrialization.

Identify an environmental challenge faced by developed cities.

Pollution and waste management issues.

What is one example of urban segregation based on wealth?

Wealthy people live in prime areas, while lower-income individuals reside in cramped or poor-quality housing.

What percentage of urban inhabitants in developing countries live in informal settlements?

About a quarter (1.6 billion) are estimated to live in informal settlements.

What are some names for informal settlements in different regions?

Favelas in Brazil, shanty towns in the West Indies, bustees in India, and townships in South Africa.

What is a mega-slum?

A large and overcrowded informal settlement typically found within a megacity.

Describe one challenge that informal settlements face.

They often lack basic services like sanitation, water supply, and health care, leading to poor living conditions.

What issues does the informal economy present in urban areas?

It reduces city revenue for services as workers do not pay taxes and makes working conditions hard to regulate.

Name a health issue associated with poor sanitation in urban areas.

Diseases such as cholera and typhoid are common due to inadequate sanitation facilities.

How is urban transportation affected in megacities?

Transportation networks often become congested due to increased vehicle ownership and inadequate infrastructure.

What role does environmental pollution play in city living conditions?

Air and water pollution lead to health problems for urban residents.

What is social polarization in the context of urban environments?

The division of a city into areas of wealth and poverty, leading to social segregation.

What demographic change can increase the difficulty of urban challenges?

An ageing population can strain healthcare and social services.

How does urban growth affect the delivery of housing?

Rapid population increases demand more housing, often leading to unplanned and informal settlements.

What is a common consequence of not having proper waste disposal systems?

It can lead to significant health risks and pollution in urban areas.

Name one method cities try to manage their ecological footprint.

Increasing recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives.

What percentage of Hong Kong's electricity is generated from fossil fuels?

Approximately 75% of electricity is generated from fossil fuel power stations.

What factors influence the challenges faced by cities according to the lecture?

Urbanization, population growth, economic conditions, and planning restrictions.

What constitutes poor educational attainment in urban areas?

Low quality of education, high rates of non-attendance, and lack of resources.

What is the estimated population living in Kibera?

Between 800,000 and 1 million people.

What major health issues are prevalent in Kibera due to poor living conditions?

Typhoid and cholera due to inadequate sanitation.

How do residents in Kibera typically obtain water?

Water is collected from mains supplied by municipal services and international aid.

What is a common characteristic of housing in Kibera?

Housing is typically overcrowded and constructed of mud walls and tin roofs.

What is the average size of a home in Kibera?

About 12ft x 12ft.

What is a common transportation issue in Rio de Janeiro?

Congestion on roads due to insufficient infrastructure planning.

What environmental hazards are common in overcrowded urban areas?

Fire, flooding, and the spread of diseases due to inadequate sanitation.

How does the lack of social mobility affect informal settlements?

It keeps poverty entrenched and limits opportunities for economic advancement.

What does the Quality of Life Index (QLI) measure?

It assesses political stability, legal rights, health services, safety, climate, costs, and education.

What is the urban fringe?

The outer edge of a city where urban development meets rural land.

What is a common public health challenge in urban areas?

Access to safe drinking water is often limited, contributing to disease outbreaks.

In urban planning, what is meant by ‘urban sprawl’?

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the countryside.

How have urban migrants typically experienced life in informal settlements?

They face extreme poverty and often lack basic necessities and security.

How does education typically differ for children in informal settlements?

Quality of education tends to be low with inadequate facilities and resources.

What is a major transportation issue in developing cities?

Many were not designed to handle the volume of traffic that has increased.

What does social deprivation encompass in urban environments?

A condition where a person’s well-being is below an acceptable minimum standard.

What contributes to the cycle of poverty in urban settings?

Low educational attainment, limited job opportunities, and lack of social services.

What is the relationship between crime and poverty in urban areas?

High levels of poverty can lead to increased crime rates and social unrest.

What is the minimum deprivation index (MDI) used in the UK?

It includes indicators like Income, Employment, Health, Education, Access to Housing, Crime, etc.