IB Geography SL - Option G: Urban Environments - section 3

Two factors that affect the climate of an urban area

Two factors that affect the climate of an urban area

• The structure of the air above the urban area

  • more dust → greater conc. of hygroscopic particles → less water vapor

  • combustion of fuel and discharge of waste gases by industry → more CO2 and noxious fumes

• The structure of urban surface

  • more heat-retaining materials with lower albedo

  • tall buildings are exposed, deep streets are sheltered and shaded

Radiation and sunshine

• greater scattering of short-wave radiation by dust

• higher absorption of longer waves by surfaces and CO2

Clouds and fogs

Temperatures

• Stronger heat energy retention and release incl. fuel combustion

• Up to 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer during winter nights (snow in rural areas → higher albedo)

• Big local contrasts between sunny and shaded areas

Pressure and winds

Humidity

Urban heat island effect

Air pollution patterns

• LICs and NICs:

  • weaker economies → minimal investment in pollution control

  • industrialization and use of cheap inefficient energy sources are favoured

• HICs:

  • have the capital and technology to tackle air pollution

Air pollution case study fact 1

Air pollution case study fact 2

Air pollution case study fact 3

Pollution management strategies

• Reducing emissions

  • less fossil fuels, more energy-efficient technologies (e.g. electric cars)

  • public transport, cycling, walking

  • using catalytic converters to reduce emissions of NOx

  • enforcement of emission standards

• Urban trees and green spaces

Traffic congestion patterns, trends and impacts

Traffic congestion case study fact 1

Traffic congestion case study fact 2

Traffic congestion case study fact 3

Slum clearance

Slum clearance case study fact 1

Slum clearance case study fact 2

Slum clearance case study fact 3

Depletion of urban green spaces

Depletion of green space case study fact 1

Depletion of green space case study fact 2

Depletion of green space case study fact 3

The cycle of deprivation and geographic patterns of crime

Managing urban crime

• more police officers on patrol

• greater use of CCTV/security cameras

• improved street lighting

• buildings designed to reduce dark/unlit areas

• greater availability of taxi services around the closing time of clubs and bars

• more women-only taxis

• adopting zero-tolerance policies toward crime

Managing urban deprivation