Human Geography (Changing Urban Environments)

The issues in urban areas in richer countries

1. Housing

• Small country but has a large growing population which could reach 70 million in 2033.
• Population is not evenly distrubuted as low densities in North and high densities in South East.
• Housing shortages and high prices in South East because of this
• Many people live alone but have a 3 or 4 bedroom house
• Rising life expectancy and migration also cause house shortages

Management strategies:

• Build affordable housing
• Governments help to buy scheme to help poorer families get on the property ladder
• Bedroom tax for those with excess bedrooms and living in council owned properties to encourage them to move to smaller houses

2. Traffic

As more people move to the edge of towns and cities traffic and congenstion may get worse. Many people drive their cars into the city centre to get to work. It is made worse by people being brought into the city using motorways. These roads then link with smaller roads going into the city centre and this causes a bottle neck and congestion.

Management strategies:

• Park and ride
• Cycle lanes
• Pedestrianised areas to reduce the number of cars going into the city centre
• Permit holder parking meaning people must have a permit to be able to park in that area, this reduces the…