Changes in Urban Land Use | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Changes to the CBD

• Urban areas evolve based on the specific needs of the region they serve.
• Different cities may require different solutions, which might not be applicable to smaller towns or areas.

• Notable Changes Include:

  • Pedestrian Zones: These are designated car-free areas intended solely for pedestrians. The restriction or prohibition of traffic aims to create safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians, ultimately boosting foot traffic for businesses.
  • Shopping Centers/Malls: These centralized hubs of commerce offer convenience to shoppers and drive increased spending. They typically feature a range of stores and activities, including food outlets, clothing stores, cinemas, game arcades, jewelry shops, and more. Such centers benefit both consumers and businesses by reducing maintenance and advertising costs and by attracting customers from neighboring establishments.
  • Leisure Facilities: Alongside traditional urban recreational venues like parks, museums, and theaters, modern urban areas now host a diverse array of attractions such as multiplex cinemas, IMAX theaters, sports complexes, specialty markets, cafes, waterfront developments, and trendy nightlife spots.
  • Brownfield Sites Transformation: Formerly abandoned shops and offices are repurposed into attractive residential lofts or trendy social and workspaces.
  • Enhanced Safety Measures: Many urban regions employ surveillance technologies like CCTV cameras and implement traffic management strategies to ensure safety. Initiatives such as pedestrian-only zones and restricted parking contribute to enhancing the overall safety of urban environments.

Changes to the inner city

• Inner city areas have often been seen as hubs of poverty and affordable housing, characterized by abandoned structures and vacant lots.
• Deindustrialisation: The decline of industrial activities in these areas.
• Urban blight, a consequence of the cycle of economic booms and busts, has plagued many inner cities.
• Urban blight: Refers to the deterioration and decay of urban areas.
• Due to escalating land values, rents, taxes, and regulatory constraints, inner cities have become attractive for business expansions and government initiatives to draw people back to urban environments.
• Redevelopment efforts have facilitated the expansion of Central Business Districts (CBDs) by replacing inexpensive, high-rise residential buildings to accommodate urban growth pressures.

Urban Development Corporations (UDCs)

• Urban Development Corporations (UDCs): Implemented large-scale projects that brought significant transformations to inner cities through a blend of private and public investments.
• London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) spearheaded the revitalization of Canary Wharf, establishing it as a new financial hub for London, known for attracting a younger workforce.
• Although the LDDC dissolved in 1998, ongoing development initiatives have sustained growth in the area.
• New infrastructure enhancements, such as improved transportation networks, have been crucial in connecting the region.
• New amenities like health facilities, educational institutions, and a mix of commercial, recreational, and residential zones have been strategically placed together, reducing the reliance on transportation and lowering pollution levels.

Changes along the urban fringe

One of the most noticeable transformations in urban areas occurs at the rural-urban fringe. This shift is primarily driven by several factors:

• Counter-urbanization: Movement of people from urban areas to rural areas.
• Population growth: Increase in the number of residents living at the urban fringe.
• Lack of space: Limited availability of land within the city, pushing development towards the outskirts.
• Spiraling land costs: Rising prices of land within urban centers, prompting development in surrounding areas.

Types of Developments at the Urban Fringe

Aside from the construction of new housing estates, various other developments can be observed:

• Retail Parks: These areas have a significant sphere of influence due to their easy accessibility, ample free parking, concentration of businesses, extended operating hours, and diverse product offerings.
• Industrial Estates: Providing space for expansion, these estates feature purpose-built road networks, cheaper land prices, and are usually situated away from residential areas.
• Business Parks: Designed to offer a pleasant working environment, these spaces ensure easier access and commute for employees. They are specifically tailored for office spaces and may include amenities like conference facilities and hotels.
• Science Parks: These areas are specifically constructed to promote research and development (R&D), high-tech industries, and other quaternary activities. They are often located near universities and transportation networks, facilitating knowledge transfer.
• Airports: With the rise in air traffic and the presence of low-cost carriers, airports play a crucial role in connecting businesses at the fringe through imports, exports, and knowledge exchange. They also provide easy access for speakers and investors.
• Motorways and Ring Roads: These infrastructural elements enhance accessibility for residents, workers, and various modes of transportation, such as lorries, buses, and cars.

Urban Sprawl

• Cities attract people, leading to fluctuating population densities.
• Urban areas draw investments, providing opportunities for youth and fostering growth.
• Uncontrolled urban growth results in urban sprawl.

Problems Caused by Urban Sprawl 

• Farmland is sacrificed for residential construction.
• Loss of traditional green spaces like school fields and parks.
• Negative impact on ecosystems due to tree removal and increased pollution.
• Creation of impermeable surfaces causing surface run-off issues.
• Older cities mitigate sprawl by planning and employing green belts to restrict outward expansion.

Causes of Urban Sprawl 

• Availability of land for housing, retail, and manufacturing.
• Lower land development costs.
• Enhanced accessibility to main transport routes.
• Concentration of essential services at urban peripheries.

Advantages of Urban Sprawl

• Availability of space for housing, retail, and manufacturing - including options for expansion
• The cost of land is cheaper to develop
• Better access to main arterial routes for private and heavy transport
• Many services are now located at the urban fringe - major hospitals, superstores, specialist manufacturing, etc.

Disadvantages of Urban Sprawl

• Loss of farmland to build new homes
• Loss of traditional 'green spaces' - school fields, parks, etc., are being built on
• Impact on ecosystems - natural and built (removal of trees increases pollution levels, etc.)
• Creates impermeable surfaces and surface run-off

Urban Redevelopment and Renewal

• All urban centers experience both growth and decline, but some undergo deterioration and suffer from urban blight, especially after the phenomenon of suburbanization.
• This decline often occurs when a city's core relies heavily on a single industry, as seen in the case of Liverpool and its docks.
• As the city expands to accommodate growth, if the industry declines or relocates to outer areas, the inner-city faces decline.
• Urban redevelopment aims to counter this by revitalizing urban areas through processes like demolition, reconstruction, or extensive renovation, resulting in significant changes to the area.
• Urban renewal focuses on enhancing existing buildings, parks, roads, and industrial zones, allowing the area to maintain its recognizable character.
• Both government entities and public and private investors participate in these initiatives to varying extents.

Gentrification

• Gentrification involves the transformation of a city neighborhood from low to high value.
• Typically, a disadvantaged area attracts educated or affluent individuals who gradually upgrade properties, leading to increased real estate values.
• This often displaces poorer families as living in the area becomes unaffordable.
• Ultimately, the neighborhood's character and demographics undergo a complete overhaul due to new services and activities.